Ukraine Catches Russian Soldier Who Spent 6 Months in Hiding

Ukrainian police have caught and detained a Russian soldier who spent six months in hiding in the northeastern Kharkiv region following Russian forces’ retreat from the area. The unidentified 42-year-old Russian soldier had been hiding in abandoned buildings in the village of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, which was recaptured by the Ukrainian army on Sept. 27. The detainee,…

Russian Lawmakers Introduce Bill Raising Draft Age

Russian lawmakers introduced a bill raising the upper age limit for military conscription on Monday, drawing criticism that it may be attempting to compensate for troop losses in Ukraine by expanding eligibility for mobilization. At present, Russian law requires men aged 18-27 are required to perform military service. The new bill, which was authored by…

Russian Lawmakers Approve Punishments for Criticism, ‘Fake’ Info on Mercenaries

Russian lawmakers have passed legislation introducing criminal punishment for “discrediting” and spreading “fake” information about any force fighting for Russia in Ukraine, not just the Russian Armed Forces. Russia outlawed “discrediting” and spreading “deliberately false” information about the Russian military shortly after the country invaded Ukraine last February. The move has led to the silencing of…

Russian Lawmakers Approve Punishments for ‘Fake’ Info on Army Volunteers, Mercenaries

Russian lawmakers have passed legislation introducing criminal punishment for “discrediting” and spreading “fake” information about any force fighting for Russia in Ukraine, not just the Russian Armed Forces. Russia outlawed “discrediting” and spreading “deliberately false” information about the Russian military shortly after the country invaded Ukraine last February. The move has led to the silencing of…

Moscow Hosts First ‘Russia Lovers’ Gathering

Moscow played host Tuesday to an event that organizers touted as the first international gathering of Russia lovers as the country finds itself isolated over its invasion of Ukraine. The founding congress of the so-called “International Russophile Movement” describes itself as a meeting of “those who sincerely love our country, its history and culture,” the…

Armenia PM Says Raised Peacekeeper ‘Problems’ with Putin

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Tuesday he had complained to Russian President Vladimir Putin about “problems” linked to Russian peacekeepers in restive Nagorno-Karabakh. Caucasus arch-foes Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two brutal wars for control of the Armenian-majority region and the latest conflict in 2020 ended with the deployment of Moscow’s forces. “In a…