Putin Announces Arctic Expansion Plans at International Forum – Highlights

With Russia’s economy faltering under an onslaught of Western sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the 5th International Arctic Forum in St. Petersburg this week to promote the resource-rich region’s development. Presentations and panel discussions between more than 3,600 Russian and international lawmakers, scientists and businesspeople wrapped up on Wednesday. Delegates discussed topics including the Northern…

Russian Officials Condemn Julian Assange’s Arrest in London

Russian officials have spoken out against Britain’s arrest of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on Thursday, expressing hopes that the whistleblower’s rights will be respected. Assange was arrested by London’s Metropolitan Police after Ecuador withdrew his asylum which had allowed him to take refuge in the country’s embassy in the United Kingdom since 2012. A video widely shared…

Eight More Activists Detained in Northern Russia Following Landfill Protests

Eight activists who participated in a protest in northern Russia against Moscow’s plans to ship waste to surrounding regions were detained Wednesday, Interfax reported. Between 2,000 and 3,000 protesters gathered for Sunday’s demonstration in Arkhangelsk, calling for the region’s governor to resign over the 10.5 billion ruble ($160.7 million) Shiyes landfill’s construction, media outlets reported.…

Russian Lawmakers Criticize Sudan Coup as ‘Unconstitutional’

Russian lawmakers have spoken out against what they called an “unconstitutional” military coup in Sudan that has reportedly ousted longtime leader and close Russian ally Omar al-Bashir. Sudan’s military deployed troops in Khartoum and surrounded the presidential palace on Thursday following months of protests against al-Bashir’s regime; al-Bashir stepped down soon after, Reuters reported. In January, Russia’s Foreign…

Kremlin Comments on Poroshenko vs. Putin Campaign Posters in Ukraine

While Ukraine currently faces a difficult choice for its leadership, Russia has settled on President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said Wednesday in response to campaign billboards depicting Ukraine’s president facing off against Putin. Posters showing Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko opposite Putin with a caption reading “The Decisive Choice” appeared in Ukraine ahead of the country’s…

Environmentally Conscious Russians Most Concerned About Saving Water, Recycling – WWF

Environmentally conscious Russians are most likely to conserve water and recycle compared to other eco-conscious practices, according to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) online poll published Tuesday. WWF Russia conducted its fourth annual online survey among 60,000 Russian respondents in 800 cities on March 30, the day of Earth Hour, an international event to promote environmental…

Putin Speaks on ‘Witch Hunt’ Mueller Investigation — Reports

President Vladimir Putin has commented publicly for the first time on U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s alleged collusion with President Donald Trump’s campaign. Russia has repeatedly denied claims that it interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, although U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that it did. Last month, Mueller’s nearly two-year investigation concluded…

Christie’s to Auction Historic Faberge Tiara

Auction house Christie’s is to sell a tiara by Faberge, jeweller to the Russian Tsars, made of aquamarines and diamonds and with a pre-sale estimate of $230,000-340,000. The tiara was made in 1904 as a wedding gift from Germany’s Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, to his bride, Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland.…

Russian Operatives Offered Money to Multiple Madagascar Presidential Candidates – BBC

Russian political operatives disguised as “tourists” have offered money to at least six presidential candidates in Madagascar last year in exchange for Russia’s support for the eventual winner, a BBC investigation reported on Monday. Former leader Andry Rajoelina, 44, was declared the winner of a hard-fought presidential vote in December, rejecting his rival’s accusations of fraud. Yevgeny…

Russia’s Prison Service Defends Yoga Against Homosexuality and Riot Claims

Russian prisoners will continue doing yoga despite religious scholars’ claims that the practice could turn inmates gay, Russian prison authorities said on Sunday. Yoga classes were suspended last month after a conservative lawmaker forwarded to prosecutors a theologian’s complaint that yoga could cause prisoners to become gay and start prison riots as a result, according…

Thousands in Russia’s North Protest Moscow Landfill Plans, Demand Governor’s Resignation

Thousands of demonstrators in northern Russia continued months of protests against Moscow’s plans to ship its garbage outside its city limits and demanded their governor to resign. Russians across 26 regions, including Arkhangelsk, have staged protests against Moscow’s plan to solve a trash crisis by sending waste to surrounding regions. Anti-trash reform sentiment has been…

Video: Russia Stages Black Sea Missile Drills

The Russian military released footage on Friday showing its naval forces shooting and launching missiles in the Black Sea. Earlier this week, NATO announced plans to expand its surveillance in the Black Sea in support of Ukraine. Two of the Black Sea Fleet’s guided missile corvettes launched “Moskit” (“Mosquito”) supersonic missiles at targets simulating enemy…

Russian Officials Snap Back at Ukrainian Threat to Bring Tanks to Moscow

Russian officials took to social media with posts mocking a Ukrainian minister’s pledge to storm Moscow with tanks. Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan wrote on Facebook Thursday that Ukrainian tanks will “eventually” arrive in the Russian capital alongside its allies. His post was made in response to an invitation from Moscow to discuss Ukraine’s membership…