Russia

Read recent news stories and current events about Russia on Newser.com

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Russian Court Refuses to Free Another US Journalist

Alsu Kurmasheva is to remain in jail until Aug. 5

(Newser) - A court in Russia on Friday ordered a detained Russian-American journalist to be held until at least Aug. 5, pending investigation and trial, a further step in the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent and free speech, reports the AP . Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor for the US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio...

Sources: Biden Gave Secret OK to Ukraine to Use US Weapons

Ukraine can now strike just inside Russia to defend itself using US-made weapons

(Newser) - As Ukrainian forces continue to defend their country's second-largest city, sources tell the AP that President Biden has given the OK to use US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia. The green light is limited strictly in the area surrounding Kharkiv, about 12 miles from the Russian border, and with...

Putin's Moves Reflect a New Confidence
Speculation
Mounts of
a New Putin
Strategy
the rundown
May 27, 2024 11:14 AM CDT

Speculation Mounts of a New Putin Strategy

He questions legitimacy of Zelensky amid reports of meeting with a potential Zelensky challenger

(Newser) - Recent moves by Vladimir Putin suggest he's feeling more confident about the war in Ukraine and how the end game might play out. A look at coverage:
  • The purge: Putin dumped his defense chief and has allowed a series of high-profile corruption arrests, and the timing "is most
...

Zelensky: Ukraine Has 'Combat Control' in Kharkiv

President says his forces have wrested back control of areas that Russia had entered this month

(Newser) - Ukrainian forces have secured "combat control" of areas where Russian troops entered the northeastern Kharkiv region earlier this month, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Meanwhile, two people were killed Saturday in an aerial attack on the city of Kharkiv, which is the region's capital, according to local officials. Kharkiv...

Trump: Elect Me, Putin Will Give Me Gershkovich

Kremlin denies any discussions with Trump on the matter

(Newser) - Elect Donald Trump and you'll see Evan Gershkovich, the US journalist jailed in Moscow, walk free, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee claimed Thursday. Trump said he need only ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Gershkovich and he will—in exchange for nothing. "Vladimir Putin, President of Russia,...

Sources: Putin Wants a Ceasefire, but With Strings

Russian leader is said to want to keep all territories under his current control, sources tell Reuters

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin insists that Russia is ready to keep fighting in Ukraine, but he's reportedly also amenable to "freeze the war" there—with one big condition. Russian sources tell Reuters that their leader is prepared to negotiate a ceasefire, but one recognizing that territory currently under Russian control...

Georgia's President Blocks Protested Media Legislation
Georgia's 'Russian Law' Blocked
May 18, 2024 12:05 PM CDT

Georgia's 'Russian Law' Blocked

President vetoes legislation, but ruling party could override

(Newser) - Georgia's president on Saturday vetoed the so-called "Russian law" targeting media that has sparked weeks of mass protests. The law would require media and nongovernmental organizations to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad....

Ukraine Law to Boost Its Troops Raises Concerns

The legislation will make it easier to identify every conscript in the country amid new push by Russia

(Newser) - A divisive mobilization law in Ukraine came into force on Saturday, as Kyiv struggles to boost troop numbers after Russia launched a new offensive that some fear could close in on Ukraine's second-largest city. The legislation, which was watered down from its original draft, will make it easier to...

Xi, Putin Reaffirm 'No Limits' Partnership
Putin Praises Xi
in Show of Unity
May 16, 2024 7:33 AM CDT

Putin Praises Xi in Show of Unity

Russian leader hails Xi's efforts to 'regulate' the 'situation in Ukraine'

(Newser) - China's leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday as he began a two-day state visit. Putin thanked Xi for his effort to resolve the Ukraine conflict at a Beijing summit, where the two leaders reaffirmed a "no-limits" partnership that has grown deeper as both countries...

Images May Reveal Putin's Nuclear Depot in Belarus

'New York Times' analyzes satellite photos

(Newser) - In the past week, Russia and Belarus have announced measures that could be interpreted as readying nuclear weapons. Russia said that President Vladimir Putin had ordered drills near Ukraine to simulate the use of tactical nuclear weapons. And Belarus' defense minister said that his country's forces, including a unit...

Russia Unleashes 'Massive' Attack on Ukraine's Power Grid

Russia sent barrage of missiles and explosive drones overnight

(Newser) - Russian forces unleashed a nighttime barrage of 55 missiles and 21 explosive Shahed drones at Ukraine's power grid on Wednesday, in what President Zelensky called a "massive" attack. The Ukrainian air force said it managed to down 39 of the missiles and 20 of the drones, but the...

Enemies Largely Vanquished, Putin Begins His 5th Term

Power consolidated, he'll be in office until at least 2030

(Newser) - Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine, and concentrating all power in his hands. Already in office for nearly a quarter-century and the...

Pentagon Says Russia Has Detained US Soldier

It's not clear whether man was AWOL

(Newser) - An American soldier who apparently defied warnings not to travel to Russia is in Russian custody, Pentagon officials confirmed Monday. Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said the soldier was detained on Thursday in Vladivostok on charges of criminal misconduct, the AP reports. Officials told NBC News that the soldier, who had...

Russian 'Foothold' in Ukrainian Town Ends in Utter Devastation

Drone footage from Ocheretyne suggests no building was spared from Russia's attacks

(Newser) - The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by the AP shows. Russian troops have been advancing in the area, pounding Kyiv's depleted, ammunition-deprived forces with artillery, drones, and bombs. Ukraine's military has acknowledged the Russians have gained a "foothold" in Ocheretyne,...

Ukraine to Athletes: Avoid Russians at the Olympics

Committee warns of possible 'provocative actions' from neutral athletes in Paris

(Newser) - There won't be any Russian flags at the Paris Olympics but there will be Russian athletes, and Ukrainian athletes have been told to steer clear of them. Ukraine's National Olympic Committee said Thursday that athletes should avoid "direct contact" with representatives of Russia and Belarus, which it...

US: Russia's Using Chemical Agents in Ukraine

Russia said to be using the choking agent chloropicrin and tear gases banned in war

(Newser) - Weeks after Russia launched its war in Ukraine, President Biden warned his Russian counterpart would pay a "severe price" if he approved the use of chemical weapons. Now, the US is handing out new sanctions, alleging Russia has indeed used chemical weapons. The State Department accuses Russia of using...

98-Year-Old Walks 6 Miles to Safety in Ukraine—in Slippers

Lidia Stepanivna Lomikovska was separated from family, walked alone with her cane

(Newser) - A 98-year-old woman in Ukraine who escaped Russian-occupied territory by walking almost 6 miles alone, wearing a pair of slippers and supported by a cane, has been reunited with her family days after they were separated while fleeing to safety, the AP reports. Lidia Stepanivna Lomikovska and her family decided...

Ukraine: Russia's Overnight Strike Targeted Energy Sites

Ukraine's air force says it shot down 21 of 34 missiles fired

(Newser) - Russia launched a barrage of missiles against Ukraine overnight, in attacks that appeared to target the country's energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia said its air defense systems had intercepted more than 60 Ukrainian drones over Russia's southern Krasnodar region. Ukraine's air force said Saturday that Russia had launched...

US Spy Agencies Aren't So Sure Putin Ordered Navalny Death

Intel doesn't negate Russian leader's culpability, however, in opposition leader's demise, per 'WSJ'

(Newser) - Last month, Vladimir Putin insisted that he'd OKed a plan to release Alexei Navalny from an Arctic penal colony just before the opposition leader died in February. Now, a new report from the Wall Street Journal suggests the Russian president actually may not have directly ordered Navalny's death—...

Gershkovich Has Another Bad Day in Russian Court

Moscow court refuses 'WSJ' reporter's appeal; he'll stay jailed through the end of June

(Newser) - Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will remain jailed on espionage charges until at least late June, after a Moscow court on Tuesday rejected his appeal that sought to end his pretrial detention. The 32-year-old US citizen has spent over a year behind bars. Last month, his arrest was extended...

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