Karabakh Dissolution Not Valid, Says Separatist Leader

The leader of Armenian separatists, who were ousted from the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan this year, on Friday said his previous decree ordering the dissolution of separatist institutions was not valid. The statement appeared to undo a historic move by the separatists to dissolve the disputed territory that was at the center of two costly wars…

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas 2023

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; Молчат все соседи, сидят в тишине Не знаешь кто слушает — дома, вовне. Все дети, конечно, затихли и спят А этажом ниже соседи храпят. Everyone dreaming of what they want most: A ticket to somewhere and…

Russia Charges Exiled Opposition Politician With ‘War Fakes’ – Reports

Russian authorities have charged exiled liberal opposition politician Leonid Gozman with violating the country’s wartime censorship laws, the state-run TASS news agency reported Friday, citing an anonymous law enforcement source. Gozman is reportedly accused of spreading “fake news” about the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine. “He posted distorted statements about the leadership of Russia and the…

The Photos That Defined 2023 in Russia

On Dec. 8, President Vladimir Putin, 71, announces his candidacy for a fifth term. Putin and Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Zhoga Artyom Zhoga, a former separatist fighter in eastern Ukraine, are seen after a ceremony to award Gold Star medals to people honored with the title of Hero of Russia, at the St. George’s Hall of…

Russia Says Destroyed Ukrainian Drone Targeting Moscow

Russian air defense systems have downed a Ukrainian drone approaching Moscow for at least the second time this week, the Defense Ministry said Friday. The Russian military referred to the afternoon drone incursion as “an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack.” Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the unmanned aircraft was shot down on…

Bashkir Activist Jailed 5 Years For Anti-War Video

A court in Russia’s republic of Bashkortostan has sentenced ethnic Bashkir activist Ramilya Saitova to five years in prison over an anti-war video, local media reported Thursday.  Saitova, 57, recorded and published a video appeal calling on Bashkir soldiers and mobilized men to refuse to fight during Russia’s partial military mobilization in the fall of…

Putin Seizes Exiled Billionaire’s Car Dealership

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the seizure of Russia’s largest car dealership from exiled former lawmaker and billionaire Sergei Petrov, a presidential decree said Thursday. Shares in the Rolf dealership will be transferred from the Cypriot company Delance Limited and Rolf Motors to Russia’s Federal Property Management Agency (Rosimushchestvo), according to the document. This appears to…