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'grave concerns'

In Call, EU Chief Urges Putin to Release Navalny

EU members are mulling further sanctions against Russia after Navalny's detention.

3 Dead in Russian Mine Blast

The mine where the explosion took place began operations in 2017.

persona non grata

Albania Expels Russian Diplomat Over Covid Breaches

The diplomat's removal was "necessary to ensure the health and safety of all citizens, Albanian or otherwise."

Biden Proposes New START Extension, Navalny Investigation

The nuclear arms deal is set to expire in two weeks.

MEPs: Sanction Oligarchs, Stop Nord Stream 2 After Navalny Detention

A European Parliament motion calls for an end to the controversial pipeline, but officials warn the EU can do little to stop it.

Court Condemns Russia for Violating Human Rights After 2008 Georgia War

The ECHR ruled that Russia tortured and prevented people returning to their homes in the wake of its 2008 war against Georgia.

Germany Offers Russia Support in Sputnik Vaccine Development – Merkel

"Beyond all the political differences that are currently large, we can nevertheless work together in a pandemic," Merkel said.

'Cautious Optimism'

Moscow Announces 'Significant' Easing of Virus Restrictions

The city will reopen its museums and libraries, while theaters and cinemas will be allowed to accommodate more visitors.

Russia Urges Biden to Be 'More Constructive' Over Arms Treaty

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the treaty should be extended in its current version without pre-conditions for five years.

international market

Russia Files for Sputnik Vaccine Registration in EU

The European Medicines Agency noted in a statement that "currently Sputnik V is not undergoing a rolling review."

Chechnya Kills Militant Tied to IS, Deadly Moscow Attacks

Aslan Byutukayev was designated in 2016 as a "global terrorist" by the U.S. State Department.

ball's in your court

Russia Says Better Ties With U.S. Up to Biden

The Kremlin said that the change in the U.S. presidency will make no difference to Russia.

Biden State Pick Calls For Extending New START With Russia

Antony Blinken, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of State, said the incoming administration would seek to extend the arms deal.

U.S. Sanctions Russian Ship Over Nord Stream 2

The outgoing Donald Trump administration has been stepping up efforts to hamper the almost-completed pipeline.

Sputnik Rollout

Russia Launches Mass Coronavirus Vaccination Campaign

Coronavirus cases in Russia on Monday stood at more than 3.5 million, the fourth-highest national total in the world.

Russia Expels Two Dutch Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Move

Dutch security officials said in December the country was expelling two alleged Russian spies working as diplomats.

legal assistance

Germany Says Answered Russia Call for Aid in Navalny Probe

German prosecutors interrogated Navalny on Moscow's request earlier last year.

Russia Pulling 'Military Instructors' Out of Central African Republic

Russia told the UN it plans to withdraw the 300 "military instructors" it sent to the Central African Republic at the end of 2020.

Continent's Security Architecture

The Open Skies Treaty: NATO's Eyes Over Russia

Washington has said Moscow had "weaponized" the treaty to target "critical infrastructure" in the U.S. and Europe.

Russia Says Leaving Open Skies Military Treaty

Russia has announced its intention to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty citing the "lack of progress" maintaining its function since the U.S. with drew...

New START: Expiring Arms Accord Between Cold War Rivals

Negotiations to renew the treaty stalled under the Trump administration, who lobbied unsuccessfully to have China become a party to the restrictions.

Russian Car Industry 'Survived' 2020 Despite Pandemic

Russia saw new car sales decrease by 9.1% in 2020.

far from the frontlines

Amnesty Seeks Probe Into Civilian Deaths in Karabakh Conflict

Both sides have denied targeting civilians during the conflict "despite clear evidence they have both done so," Amnesty said.

'Historical Excursion'

Russia Probes Circus Over Monkey, Goats in Nazi Garb

The circus and the local Orthodox Church claimed that the performance hadn't violated Russia's law banning the use of Nazi symbols.

Russia Starts Mass Vaccinations in Cosmonaut Center

By mid-December, Russia had vaccinated several cosmonauts ahead of future flights and some of them have already received both doses.

Strong Earthquake Hits Mongolia-Russia Border

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck in Northern Mongolia, close to the Russian border early Tuesday morning.

DISSIDENT TARGETED

Russian Jailed in Sweden Over Hammer Attack on Anti-Kadyrov Blogger

Swedish court alleges high-level backing for attempted murder of Chechen dissident Tumso Abdurakhmanov.

WEAPONS REDUCTIONS

Gorbachev Expects Biden to Extend U.S.-Russia Arms Curbs

The New START Treaty is the Cold War rivals' last remaining nuclear reduction pact and is set to expire Feb. 5.

Stopgap Solution

Russia to Trial 'Light' One-Dose Version of Sputnik Jab

The light version of the vaccine could be an "effective temporary solution" for badly hit countries, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund said.

'mission accomplished'

Billionaire Georgia Party Leader Says Quitting Politics

Bidzina Ivanishvili's statement comes after his Georgian Dream party claimed a narrow victory in a tightly contested parliamentary election last year.

distribution abroad

Russia Says 1.5M Vaccinated Globally With Sputnik

Russia's health minister said this month that more than 800,000 Russians had received Sputnik but there is skepticism toward official statistics.

CORONAVIRUS CONTAGION

Russia Confirms First Case of New UK Virus Strain

Officials in Moscow temporarily suspended flights to and from the UK in December.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Avalanche Kills Three at Russian Arctic Ski Resort

Three people were killed after an avalanche swept through a ski resort outside the Arctic city of Norilsk.

Russia 'Likely' Behind SolarWinds Hack – U.S. Intelligence Agencies

Russia was probably behind the massive SolarWinds hack that has shaken government and corporate security, U.S. agencies said.

TURNING ON THE TAPS

Russia To Raise Oil Production Under New OPEC+ Deal

Oil prices jump as Russia secures deal to increase production in February.

WHO KILLED SHEREMET?

New Evidence in Ukraine Journalist's Murder – Police

Pavel Sheremet died in 2016, when a bomb planted in his car exploded during morning rush hour in Kiev.

ESPIONAGE CHARGES

Exile in Russia Snowden Welcomes Rejection of Assange Extradition

A British court ruled on health grounds that Assange should not be extradited to the U.S. where he is wanted for posting classified papers online.

Moscow Metro Hires First Women Train Drivers

The trains were historically operated by men because the work was listed on the government's register of jobs deemed harmful to women's health.

Hungary Cools on Russian Covid Jab

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Russia lacks production capacity for its vaccine.

Jihadist attack

Car Bomb Hits Near Russia Base in Northeast Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported several wounded in the attack.

reciprocal response

Moscow Expands List of UK Officials Banned From Russia

The UK had earlier adopted sanctions targeting Russian officials over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Argentina Launches Covid-19 Vaccines With Controversial Sputnik V

It is the first country in the Americas to use this vaccine against the pandemic.

espionage affair

Russia Jails Former Energy Exec for 15 Years on Spying Charges

Russia's most prominent rights group described Karina Tsurkan as a political prisoner who had been denied a fair trial.

Belarus Starts Coronavirus Vaccination With Sputnik V

The former Soviet country has become the first country outside Russia to use the Moscow-developed vaccine.

Hungary Receives 6K Doses of Russia's Coronavirus Vaccine

The move by Budapest sidestepped the EU's coordinated approach to vaccinations.

Azerbaijan Says 1 Soldier Dead in Armenian Ambush

The skirmish would be an apparent escalation of hostilities undermining a recent Russian-brokered ceasefire.

Ex-Cops in Russian Reporter's Drugs Arrest Deny Guilt

The arrest of reporter Ivan Golunov on trumped-up drug charges spurred a massive campaign calling for his release last summer.

Argentina First in Latin America to Approve Russian Vaccine

The first shipment of the 25 million doses of the vaccine bought by the Argentine government is due to arrive on Thursday.

domestic competitor

Russia to Launch Own TikTok Developed With Putin's Alleged Daughter

The platform, called "Ya Molodets" ("I am great"), will support the sharing of short vertical videos similar to TikTok.

monetized service

Telegram Messaging App to Launch Pay-For Services in 2021

"We will be able to launch countless new features and welcome billions of new users," the app's founder Pavel Durov said.

Putin's 'Chef' Sues Navalny and His Ally for Defamation

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal challenges against Navalny by Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Borscht, Smetana and Crab: Michelin Guide Comes to Moscow

The French gastronomic guide plans to launch its first selection of restaurants in Moscow.

Putin Hails Russia's Spies, Visits Intelligence HQ

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday hailed the country's "courageous" spies.

Consulates Closing

U.S. Planning to Close Last Consulates in Russia

The outgoing Trump administration is planning to close the two remaining U.S. consulates in Yekaterinburg and the Far East city of Vladivostok.

Another Goodbye

Bulgaria Expels Russian Military Attache for Spying

Bulgaria has expelled a Russian military attache after prosecutors opened a probe against him for spying on U.S. troops in the E.U. and NATO member states...

Russia Fines Google for Failing To Remove Banned Content

This is the fourth such fine against Google in two years.

Putin Says Will Get Vaccine When Possible for Age Range

The 68-year-old president praised the Russia-developed Sputnik V vaccine as safe and effective.

early turnaround

Russian Nuclear-Powered Ship Turns Back After Emergency Repairs

Green activists have expressed concern that the vessel will be sailing past several European countries on its way home during the winter storm season.

U.S. Accuses Russia of Sowing 'Chaos' in Mediterranean

America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo on Tuesday accused Russia of continuing to "threaten Mediterranean stability."

11 Killed in Fire at Nursing Home in Russia

The Investigative Committee has opened up a criminal investigation into possible negligence.

U.S. Slaps Sanctions on Turkey Over Russian Arms Purchase

The U.S. on Monday imposed sanctions on Turkey after the NATO ally defiantly bought Russia's S-400 air defense system.

freed from captivity

Putin's 'Chef' Pays Russian Operatives Released by Libya

Yevgeny Prigozhin's sanctioned Concord company said he would be supporting the two men with $246,420 each.

Freezing Conditions

Belarus Protesters Demand Lukashenko's Resignation

Belarus has been gripped by historic anti-government demonstrations.

'Exchanges of Fire'

Karabakh Ceasefire Breached, Says Russian Army

Six weeks of fighting ended last month in a rout for the Armenian military.

Gazprom Restarts Construction on Controversial Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

U.S. sanctions had frozen work on the underwater pipe linking Russia and Germany or almost a year.

at-risk animals

Russia Probes Mystery Seal Die-Off

Nearly 300 Caspian seals were found dead on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

EU Extends Sanctions Anti-Russia Over Ukraine

The sanctions, which target whole sectors of the Russian economy including its valuable oil businesses, were extended to mid-2021.

Donbass Conflict

Ukraine, Russia Discuss New Prisoner Swap, Troop Withdrawal: Kiev

Volodymyr Zelensky's spokeswoman said Kiev would like to stage a new prisoner swap by year's end.

Moscow Calls on Iran to Treat Nuclear Deal With 'Responsibility'

The agreement was signed in 2015 by Iran and several world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

'Biological Safety'

Russian Cosmonauts to Receive Sputnik Virus Jab

The Russian space agency said Wednesday the vaccination would be done on a voluntary basis.

geopolitical clout

Russia Signs Deal to Open Naval Base in Sudan

Russia's Navy will be allowed to keep up to four ships at the base at a time, including nuclear-powered vessels.

Russia Bans Imports of Tomatoes From Azerbaijan

Moscow, citing concerns over pesticides, also blocks imports from parts of Armenia, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

football violence

2 Russians Go on Trial for Euro 2016 Attack on England Supporter

The savage attack left the English football fan in a wheelchair for life.

Russian Sentenced to Jail in France for Money Laundering

French prosecutors accused Alexander Vinnik of making 135 million euros, or $164 million, from ransomware attacks.

Turkey Court Orders Release of Russian Reporters – Official

The two journalists had been accused of filming near a facility manufacturing drones without authorization.

detained journalists

Russia Urges Release of Reporters Detained in Turkey

A Turkish foreign ministry source said the reporters were detained while filming near a facility for manufacturing drones.

political pressure

U.S. Calls for 'Moratorium' on Nord Stream 2 Pipeline — Report

The pipeline construction is set to resume this month after a year-long suspension.

mass vaccination

Moscow Starts Inoculating Vulnerable Workers Against Coronavirus

Health workers, teachers and social service workers receive Russia's domestically made Sputnik V vaccine.

Russia Suffers New Blow in $50Bln Yukos Case

The Dutch Supreme Court "dismissed the Russian Federation's application to suspend enforcement" of the payout.

'unprecedented' restriction

Russian Activists Condemn New 'Foreign Agent' Bill

Critics say the new legislation is meant to further limit Russia's opposition ahead of next year's elections for the Duma.

What's Next for Nagorno-Karabakh?

Despite a Russian-brokered truce, the decades-old dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan is far from resolved.

Rights Court Faults Russia Over Physicist's Spying Conviction

Valentin Danilov's case has revived fears of the Soviet-era terror and the authorities' paranoid hunts for traitors among academics.

ceasefire enforcement

Turkey, Russia Seal Deal for Karabakh 'Peacekeeping Center'

Russia has said repeatedly that Turkey will have no troops on the ground under the truce deal's terms.

international condemnation

Russia, Syria Under Pressure at Chemical Weapons Watchdog

Moscow was urged to "transparently" reveal the circumstances of the Novichok poisoning of Alexei Navalny.

Karabakh Rivals Adjust to Life Along New Borders

Under the truce signed on Nov. 9, Azerbaijan reclaimed swathes of territory that for three decades were controlled by Armenian separatists.

Navalny Urges EU to Target Putin's Oligarch Backers

Navalny argued for a new strategy after the EU sanctioned Russian officials and military officers over his poisoning.

Russia Says India to Produce 100M Doses of Sputnik Coronavirus Vaccine

Sputnik V will also be produced in Brazil, China and South Korea.

contentious mediator

Azerbaijan Lawmakers Urge French Removal From Karabakh Mediation

French lawmakers earlier adopted a resolution calling to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state.

'gross interference'

Russia's Top Diplomat Accuses West of Meddling in Belarus

Lavrov's visit to Minsk marks the latest show of Moscow's support for authorities in its ex-Soviet neighbor.

'alarming' surge

Russia Sees Record Virus Infections, Deaths

Thursday's increase marks the second time a new record has been hit in less than a week.

Russia’s Rosneft Announces Start of Vast Arctic Oil Project

Russia's Arctic energy plans have been criticized by environmentalists.

Post-Cold War Tensions

Russia Says Chased off U.S. Warship in Its Pacific Waters

A Russian anti-submarine destroyer threatened to "use a ramming maneuver to drive the intruder out of its territorial waters."

punished protest

Russia Fines Pussy Riot Activists for Hanging Pride Flags

The activists had described the protest action as a "birthday gift" to Putin and published a list of demands.

Putin Signs Law Raising Income Tax for High Earners

Starting next year, the tax rate will rise from 13% to 15% on incomes over 5 million rubles.

Thousands March in Belarus Opposition Rally in Minsk

For more than three months Belarus has been gripped by historic weekly opposition rallies.

Russia Imposes Reciprocal Sanctions on 25 UK Officials

Britain had earlier sanctioned 25 Russian officials for their alleged involvement in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

Counter-Sanctions

Russia Extends Western Food Imports Embargo to End 2021

The Russian embargo was in response to EU sanctions introduced after Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

Russia Virus Toll, Deaths, Hit New Highs

The news comes as several regions experience medicine shortages and long waiting times for ambulances.

adversarial stance

Macron Accuses Russia, Turkey of Promoting Anti-French Sentiment in Africa

The French president accused Moscow and Ankara of trying "to play on post-colonial resentment."

Ice Storms in Russia's Far East Prompt State of Emergency

The abnormal weather phenomenon hasn't been observed in the region in 30 years.