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Articles by AFP
Sevastopol Blast
Kyiv Says 2 Russian Ships Hit in Crimea Strikes
Footage shared on social media showed a large blast in the city, as well as what appeared to be Russian air defenses intercepting incoming projectiles...
3 Min read
news
Navalny’s ‘Killers’ Refusing to Hand Over Body, Allies Say
Alexei Navalny's supporters on Saturday accused Russian authorities of being "killers" who were "covering their tracks" by refusing to hand over his...
4 Min read
news
Over 100 Detained at Memorials for Navalny in Russia
Russian police have detained more than 100 people at spontaneous memorials for deceased opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the OVD-Info rights group said...
1 Min read
switching to defense
Ukraine Troops Withdraw From Frontline City Avdiivka
Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the frontline city of Avdiivka to avoid being encircled, new military chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Saturday, handing...
3 Min read
news
North Korean Foreign Minister to Visit Russia – KCNA
North Korea's Foreign Minister will visit Russia this coming week, state media reported Sunday, with Washington leading a chorus of global condemnation...
2 Min read
longshot candidate
Supporters Praise Kremlin Bid by Former Separatist Commander Girkin
More than 300 supporters gathered in a Moscow hotel, acknowledging Girkin had no chance of his 2024 presidential bid approved.
2 Min read
hormuz blues
Iran Summons Russian Envoy Over Statement on Disputed Gulf Islands
Iran's key ally Russia signed a joint declaration with Arab countries which "supported peaceful solutions and initiatives" to resolve the dispute.
1 Min read
shells in the city
Russian Strikes Kill 4 in Ukraine's Kherson — Governor
Russian forces fired 71 shells at Kherson's city center, residential areas, medical and educational institutions and critical infrastructure facilities...
1 Min read
ribbon-rouser
Russia Detains U.S.-Russian Citizen for 'Rehabilitating Nazism'
Yury Malev was accused of desecrating the St. George ribbon, a historical symbol of Russian and Soviet military successes, on social media.
1 Min read
YAKUTIA EXPLOSION
Three Killed In Methane Blast In Siberian Mine
Accidents at Russian mines and factories are relatively common due to an often lax approach to safety measures.
1 Min read
‘Terrorist and extremist’
Russia Puts Meta Spokesman on Wanted List
Russia listed Meta as a "terrorist and extremist" organization, opening possible criminal investigations and fines for users.
1 Min read
Post-Holodomor strikes
Russia Says Downed Ukrainian Drones Over 5 Regions
The attack came as Kyiv marked Holodomor, the starvation that killed millions in Ukraine during the Stalin-era.
3 Min read
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
Russia Hopes to Rejoin 'Olympic Family'
The International Olympic Committee has suggested allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as individuals under a neutral flag.
1 Min read
DIPLOMATIC WARNINGS
Seoul Summons Russian Ambassador After Kim-Putin Summit
Seoul warned the Ambassador against Russia forming military ties with North Korea.
2 Min read
invigorating walk
Chechen Strongman Appears in New Video Amid Speculation of Ill Health
The footage was published following unconfirmed reports on social media that Ramzan Kadyrov was in a coma.
1 Min read
Humanitarian assistance
Russia Sends Doctors, Aid to Flood-Stricken Libya
Russia said it has sent doctors and humanitarian aid to eastern Libya, after the country was hit by unprecedented flooding a week ago.
1 Min read
unscheduled stop
Russian Passenger Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Siberian Field
A Ural Airlines Airbus carrying 167 people from Sochi to Omsk made an emergency landing in the Novosibirsk region.
1 Min read
Espionage case
U.S. Journalist Gershkovich Appeals Extended Detention
A judge ruled Thursday that Gershkovich’s pre-trial detention would be extended to Nov. 30.
1 Min read
'war crime'
Russia Strikes Ukraine Blood Center, Aeronautics Group - Zelensky
"This war crime alone says everything about Russian aggression," said Zelensky.
3 Min read
new narrative
Wagner Boss ‘Gone off the Rails’ Over Money — Russian TV
"Prigozhin has gone off the rails because of big money," Dmitry Kiselev, one of the main faces of the Russian propaganda machine, said on TV Sunday.
2 Min read
Worsening ties
40 Russian Diplomats and Embassy Staff to Leave Romania
The decision "reflects the current level of bilateral relations“ after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
1 Min read
'Road to peace'
South Africa's Ramaphosa Tells Putin Ukraine 'War Must Be Settled'
His delegation put forward a set of principles that the Kremlin deemed "very difficult to implement."
4 Min read
54 drones
'Most Important' Drone Attack on Kyiv Since Invasion: Ukraine
At least two people were killed in the 14th drone strike on the Ukrainian capital by Russia this month.
2 Min read
unsuccessful attempt
Russia Says Foiled Ukraine Attack on Warship in Turkish Waters
Russia said Wednesday it had fended off a Ukrainian attack on one of its warships in Turkish waters with unmanned vessels, the latest attempted sabotage...
1 Min read
conflicting claims
Ukraine Denies Fall of Bakhmut, Says Advancing in Suburbs
Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar said Ukrainian troops "have semi-encircled the city."
3 Min read
Human rights
European Court Fines Russia for Abuse of 'Outcast' Prisoners
The court ruled that Moscow must pay each of the applicants 20,000 euros.
2 Min read
'will not forgive'
Moscow Slams U.S. After Russian Journalists Denied Visas for UN Visit
"We won't forget, we will not forgive this," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
2 Min read
'effective and safe'
Finland Unveils First Section of Russian Border Fence
Finland's border guard on Friday unveiled the first section of a 200-kilometer border fence with Russia being built after Moscow invaded Ukraine...
2 Min read
brics summit
South Africa Admits Putin's ICC Arrest Warrant 'Spanner in the Works'
Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrest warrant may complicate his plan to attend a BRICS summit in South Africa.
2 Min read
'totally illegal'
Biden Calls Russia's Imprisonment of Evan Gershkovich 'Out of Bounds'
The U.S. president also told reporters that the WSJ reporter's jailing was "totally illegal."
1 Min read
Last rites
Hundreds Turn Out for Funeral of Assassinated Russian Military Blogger
Hundreds turned out on Saturday for the funeral of Vladlen Tatarsky, the high-profile Russian military blogger killed last weekend.
2 Min read
GRU agent
U.S. Charges Russian Spy Who Tried To Infiltrate War Crime Court
The U.S. Justice Department unveiled spying charges Friday against a Russian who, under a Brazilian alias, studied at a Washington university and then...
2 Min read
War Crimes
UN Says Both Russia and Ukraine Summarily Executing Prisoners of War
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said it had documented killings by both sides in recent months.
1 Min read
axis angst
Poland Voices Concern About 'Dangerous' Russia-China Alliance
Poland's prime minister has branded the growing ties between China and Russia as "dangerous" after Chinese leader Xi Jinping wrapped up a three-day state...
1 Min read
thwarted plot
Moldova Smashes Pro-Moscow Subversion Ring - Police
"People came from Russia with a very specific training role," said police chief Viorel Cernauteanu.
2 Min read
private army
Russia's Wagner Group Opens Dozens of Recruitment Centers
Wagner group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin announced the opening of recruitment centers in dozens of cities across Russia on Friday.
1 Min read
'we are europe'
Russia Says Mass Protests in Georgia Are Western Coup Attempt
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the protests in Tbilisi were "being orchestrated from abroad" with the aim of creating "an irritant on the...
2 Min read
Sberbank
Russia's Biggest Bank Announces Huge 2022 Fall in Profits
Russia's Sberbank on Thursday announced its net profit dropped nearly 80% in 2022 in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
1 Min read
slow advance
Russia's Wagner Group Claims to Hold 'Eastern Part' of Bakhmut
Pressure has been mounting on Ukrainian troops trying to hold the city against Russian soldiers.
1 Min read
'historic event'
Checkmate Europe: Russia To Join Asia’s Federation
Russia's governing body for chess said Tuesday it had been admitted into the game's Asian federation and will leave Europe as Russian players face restrictions...
2 Min read
stabilized drop
Russian Economy Contracts by 2.1% In 2022 — Rosstat
The Russian economy contracted by 2.1% last year, the government's statistics agency Rosstat said Monday, absorbing Western sanctions over Moscow's military...
2 Min read
'a serious problem'
U.S. Says China Mulling Weapons for Russia in Ukraine War
The comments appeared to be among the clearest warnings yet that China might be poised to expand its support for Russia.
2 Min read
two weeks to depart
Dutch Expel Russian Diplomats, Close Trade Mission
The Netherlands accused Moscow of using diplomatic cover for spying.
2 Min read
Krasna Hora
Wagner Boss Claims Advance on Bakhmut Continues as Village Captured
The leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner claimed on Sunday that forces under his control had taken a village a few kilometers from the key...
war of attrition
Russia Likely Lost Half its Heavy Tanks in Ukraine: U.S.
Half of Russia's main battle tanks have likely been destroyed or captured by Ukraine, a senior United States defense official said Friday. Russia "has...
spreading war
Russia Says Held Air Defense Training in Moscow Region
The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that it held a training exercise on repelling air attacks in the Moscow region. "In the Moscow region, a training...
international sanction
U.S. Designates Russia's Wagner Mercenaries a 'Criminal Organization'
The United States on Friday designated Russia's Wagner mercenary group a "transnational criminal organization," piling pressure on the private Russian...
'found and liquidated'
Russian Soldier Killed After Deserting Military Base
Russian authorities on Wednesday announced having killed a soldier who left his military base, with state media identifying the man as an armed deserter...
New Year's strike
Russian Families Bury Troops Killed in Makiivka
Russian families on Sunday buried servicemen killed in a Ukrainian New Year's strike on troops in the eastern town of Makiivka. At least nine men were...
Christmas message
At Christmas, Pope Urges End to ‘Senseless’ Ukraine War
Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for an end to the "senseless" war in Ukraine, in his traditional Christmas message from St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican...
'divide and conquer'
Putin Says West Aiming to 'Tear Russia Apart'
President Vladimir Putin has blasted the West for trying to "tear Russia apart" and said in a nationally broadcast interview on Sunday that his offensive...
sabotaged supplies
Critics Slam 16-Year Term for Belarus 'Railway Partisan'
Belarus' opposition criticized Friday a lengthy prison sentence handed to a man accused of sabotaging railway equipment in the ex-Soviet country that Russia...
Kremlin split
Russia Conflicted on Ukraine Winter Offensive, Senior U.S. Official Says
The Russian leadership has conflicting views on whether to launch a winter offensive in Ukraine, which has warned of a fresh Russian attempt to seize Kyiv...
consulting the generals
Putin Meets Top Military Brass to Discuss Ukraine Strategy: Kremlin
President Vladimir Putin has held extensive meetings with the military top brass overseeing Russia's campaign in Ukraine, where Moscow has stepped up bombardments...
nickels and dimes
U.S. Financial Sanctions Target Russian Oligarch Vladimir Potanin
The U.S. announced financial sanctions targeting one of Russia's wealthiest men, Vladimir Potanin, the Treasury Department and State Department said Thursday...
withdrawal complete
Swedish Clothing Giant H&M Shutters Last Stores in Russia
Swedish fashion retailer H&M announced on Thursday that it had closed its last remaining stores in Russia and Belarus, wrapping up its progressive...
exchange of troops
Prisoner Swap with Russia Frees 64 Ukrainians and one U.S. Citizen
Ukraine announced that it had secured the release 64 Ukrainians and one U.S. citizen in its latest prisoner swap with Russian forces on Wednesday. "64...
Tis the season
Kremlin Says Russia Has No Plans for Holiday Ceasefire in Ukraine
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that it had not received any proposals from Kyiv to halt fighting in Ukraine during the upcoming holiday period and that...
Western Balkans
Moscow Calls for ‘Diplomatic’ Solution to Kosovo Tensions
The Kremlin on Monday called for a "diplomatic" resolution to a recent flare-up in tensions in Kosovo following attacks targeting the police. "We are in...
PRISONER SWAP
Russia Sought to Swap Ex-U.S. Marine for 'Assassin' Held in Germany
U.S. efforts to negotiate the freedom of a former Marine held in Russia as part of the swap involving basketball star Brittney Griner were thwarted by...
'SAFE ZONE'
Erdogan Tells Putin to 'Clear' Kurdish Forces From Northern Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday that it was imperative the Kremlin "clear" Kurdish forces from...
ARMS PRODUCTION
Russia Ramping Up Production of 'Most Powerful' Weapons: Medvedev
Russia's ex-president Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday the country was ramping up production of new-generation weapons to protect itself from enemies in...
legal woes
ICC Prosecutor Warns Over Russia Tribunal Plan
The investigation of the war in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court (ICC) should not be "set up to fail" by plans to create a separate special...
testing the waters
Putin Visits Crimea Bridge After October Blast
President Vladimir Putin on Monday visited the bridge that links Moscow-annexed Crimea to the Russian mainland weeks after the vital link was hit by a...
frank talk
Putin Says Strikes on Ukraine Infrastructure 'Inevitable'
President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia's strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure were "inevitable" as the Kremlin rejected U.S. President Joe...
Energy wars
Ukraine Blasts Moscow-Appointed Nuclear Plant Boss
Ukraine on Thursday formally sacked and branded a traitor the Ukrainian engineer appointed by Moscow to head Europe's largest nuclear facility, the Zaporizhzhia...
Western Sanctions
Swiss Freeze Nearly $8Bln in Russian Assets
Switzerland said Thursday that it has to date frozen a total of 7.5 billion Swiss francs ($7.9 billion) in Russian assets, in connection with the sanctions...
provocative remarks
Chechen Leader Says Pope ‘Fell Victim to Propaganda'
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov on Wednesday said Pope Francis "fell victim to propaganda" after the pontiff singled out the alleged role of Russian ethnic...
nuclear snub
Russia Blames U.S. 'Toxicity and Animosity' for Canceled Arms Talks
Moscow on Tuesday blamed U.S. "toxicity and animosity" for the postponement of key arms control talks with Washington as tensions continued to peak over...
Oleksandra Matviichuk
Nobel Peace Laureate Calls for Weapons to Free Ukraine
In an unusual move for a Nobel Peace laureate, the head of one of this year's prizewinning organizations on Monday called for weapons to help Ukraine defend...
Enforcement measures
EU Members Unanimously Agree to Punish Russian Sanctions Busters
The European Union has granted itself legal authority to take action against anyone who helps Russia avoid its sanctions, the EU presidency announced on...
reluctant allies
Putin and Kazakhstan's Tokayev Reaffirm Ties After Ukraine Tensions
Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Monday, with the allies reaffirming historic ties...
renewed attacks
Ukraine Warns of Fresh Russian Missile Strikes
Ukraine said on Monday that Russia was preparing for a fresh wave of missile attacks on its energy grid that have plunged swathes of the country into the...
untimely death
Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei Dies Suddenly
The foreign minister of Belarus, who earlier this year dismissed international concerns over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine being launched from...
'aggravated espionage'
Swedish Brothers Go on Trial in 'Unique' Russian Spy Case
Two Swedish brothers, one a former intelligence official, went on trial in Stockholm on Friday accused of "aggravated espionage" for allegedly spying for...
energy markets
Putin Warns of 'Grave Consequences' to Oil Price Caps
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Western plans to introduce oil price caps could have "grave consequences" for energy markets, during a telephone...
virtual response
EU Parliament Website Attacked After MEPs Slam Russian 'Terrorism'
The European Parliament website was hit by a cyberattack claimed by pro-Russian hackers on Wednesday, shortly after lawmakers approved a resolution calling...
atomic energy
Kyrgyzstan Mulls Building Nuclear Plant With Russian Help
Kyrgyzstan announced on Wednesday that it was looking into the possibility of building its first nuclear power plant, with Russian help, to tackle frequent...
unprecedented crackdown
Russia Court Extends Kremlin Critic Yashin's Detention by 6 Months
A Russian court on Wednesday extended by six months the detention of opposition politician Ilya Yashin, who risks being jailed 10 years for denouncing...
prison sentence
Russian Jailed in Norway for Illegal Drone Flight
A Russian man was sentenced to 90 days in jail in Norway on Wednesday for flying a drone over the country in violation of a ban adopted in response to...
sea king
U.K. to Send Helicopters to Ukraine For 'First' Time
Britain is to send helicopters to Ukraine for the first time since Russia's invasion, the defense ministry in London said on Wednesday. Ten crews of Ukrainian...
civilian deaths
Blasts Kill Three in Russia's Belgorod Region
Explosions killed three people in two villages in Russia's Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine on Tuesday, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov...
unipolar world
Russia Unveils Nuclear Icebreaker in Push For Arctic Dominance
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday oversaw the launch of a new nuclear-powered icebreaker as Russia pushes to develop the Arctic and seeks new energy...
'transit imbalance'
Gazprom Threatens Further Gas Delivery Cuts to Europe Over Ukraine
Russian energy giant Gazprom on Tuesday accused Ukraine of diverting natural gas supplies transiting its territory to Moldova and threatened to cut deliveries...
world heritage site
Ukraine Raids Famed Monastery Over Suspected Russia Links
Ukraine's security service said Tuesday it had raided a historic Orthodox monastery in Kyiv over suspected links to Russian agents. The Kremlin denounced...
'unprecedented and provocative'
Poland Barring Russia’s Lavrov From Regional Security Talks ‘Provocative’ – Ministry
Russia Saturday blasted Warsaw's refusal to allow Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to attend a meeting next month of the Organization for Security and Cooperation...
'war crimes'
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Executing at Least 10 Prisoners of War
Updates with comments and background The Russian Defence Ministry on Friday accused Kyiv of executing at least 10 prisoners of war in what Moscow said...
precautionary measure
Finland Unveils Plan to Build High-Security Fence Along Russian Border
Finland unveiled a plan on Friday to build a 200-kilometer fence along its border with Russia, amid increased security concerns since Moscow's invasion...
diplomatic fallout
Dutch Foreign Ministry Summons Russian Envoy Over MH17 Verdict
The Netherlands summoned the Russian ambassador on Friday after Moscow accused a Dutch court of a politically motivated verdict in the downing of Malaysia...
new expectations
Russia Says Hopes for Prisoner Swap with U.S.
Russia said Friday it hoped the United States will return notorious Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout in a prisoner swap after American basketball star...
Chilling accounts
'Horrific' Scale of Torture in Kherson Seen After Russia Retreat – Official
The scale of torture that has been discovered in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson taken back from Russian troops this month is "horrific," a Ukrainian...
dire future
Russia Falls into Recession
Russia's economy has entered a recession as gross domestic output fell by 4% in the third quarter, according to first estimates published Wednesday by...
still thriving
Turkey Becomes New Route for Russian Oil to EU – Think Tank
Moscow's revenues from fossil fuel exports fell in October to their lowest levels since the Ukraine invasion, but Turkey has become a new route for Russian...
heightened tensions
Poland Military on Alert After Missile Strike
Poland's military was on high alert Wednesday after a deadly missile strike on a village near the border with war-ravaged Ukraine. In Indonesia's Bali...
NEW RIVALRY
Russia Says U.S. Driving Southeast Asian Militarization
Russia's foreign minister on Sunday accused the United States of driving increased militarization in Southeast Asia, saying that Washington was trying...
border areas
Russia's Wagner Mercenary Group Announces Border Militia Plan
The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said on Friday that his organization had started training civilians in Russian regions...
culture wars
Russia Vows to Defend 'Traditional Values' Against 'Gay Propaganda'
Russia on Wednesday vowed to defend its "traditional" values against threats from the United States and so-called "gay propaganda" in a document signed...
pessimistic prospects
Kremlin Says Ties With U.S. Will Remain 'Bad' After Midterm Elections
The Kremlin said Wednesday that Moscow's ties with Washington were likely to remain at rock bottom regardless of the results of the U.S. midterm elections...
ARMS SUPPLIES
North Korea Dismisses as 'Groundless' U.S. Claims of Arms Supplies to Russia: State Media
North Korea said Tuesday that claims by the United States that Pyongyang is supplying artillery ammunition to Moscow for its war in Ukraine were groundless...
FIRE TRAGEDY
Fire Kills 15 at Bar in Russian City of Kostroma
A fire Saturday killed at least 15 people at a bar in the Russian city of Kostroma, Russian news agencies reported. The night-time fire at the popular...