Russian Ex-Billionaire, Politician Brother Handed Lengthy Prison Terms for Fraud

A Moscow court has sentenced ex-billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov to 19 years in a maximum-security prison on charges of embezzling state funds and organizing a criminal group, Interfax reported Thursday.  Ziyavudin Magamedov, 54, built his fortune during Dmitry Medvedev’s presidency as the founder and main owner of Summa, a Russian holding that unites companies in a…

Allies Say Jailed Belarus Opposition Leader ‘Getting Better’

Jailed Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, who led historic anti-government demonstrations in the ex-Soviet country and was recently hospitalized, is “getting better,” her allies said Thursday. The 40-year-old was part of a trio of women — along with Veronika Tsepkalo and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya — who mobilized large crowds against strongman Alexander Lukashenko in 2020.  She…

Aeroflot Halts In-Flight Media Streaming Due to Western Sanctions

Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot said Thursday that it is no longer offering in-flight film, television and music streaming to passengers due to Western sanctions imposed over the Kremlin’s military incursion in Ukraine. In a statement on its official Telegram channel, Aeroflot said foreign companies had stopped providing streaming services to the airline.  Aeroflot said the…

Aeroflot Halts In-Flight Media Streaming After Foreign Suppliers’ Withdrawal

Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot said Thursday that it is no longer offering in-flight film, television and music streaming to passengers following Western sanctions and business withdrawals over the Kremlin’s military incursion in Ukraine. In a statement on its official Telegram channel, Aeroflot said foreign companies had stopped providing streaming services to the airline.  Aeroflot said…

Pope’s Remarks on Russian Ethnic Minorities ‘Un-Christian’ – Lavrov

Moscow on Thursday described as “un-Christian” recent comments by Pope Francis that Russian ethnic minorities were among the “cruelest” actors in Moscow’s military ranks in Ukraine. “Pope Francis calls for talks but also recently made an incomprehensible statement, completely un-Christian, singling out two Russian nationalities into some category from which atrocities can be expected during…

Russian Defense Chief Calls for ‘Next-Gen’ Weapons Use in Ukraine

The Russian military should deploy next-generation weapons in its campaign in Ukraine, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday. “We need to continue upgrading and creating advanced systems with their subsequent application in the special military operation,” Shoigu said at a ministerial board meeting. Shoigu did not specify which types of innovative weapons systems he was…

Jailed Belarus Opposition Leader Kolesnikova Hospitalized in Intensive Care, Allies Say

Jailed Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, who helped lead historic pro-democracy protests in her country in 2020, is in intensive care in the hospital, her allies said Tuesday. Kolesnikova was sentenced to 11 years in prison in August 2021 for “conspiracy” over her role in the mass protests that erupted before and after Belarusian President…

Russia Bans Online Journal Riddle as ‘Undesirable’ Organization 

The office of Russia’s Prosecutor General officially designated the online journal Riddle as an “undesirable” organization on Tuesday, accusing it of “posing a threat to the security” of the Russian Federation. Under Russian law an international NGO can be declared “undesirable” for “posing a threat to the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the defense capability…

Russian Officials Slam Pope for Singling Out ‘Cruelest’ Minorities on Ukraine Frontlines

Russian political and religious figures have spoken out against Pope Francis’ characterization of ethnic minorities as the “cruelest” soldiers in Ukraine, seizing on the chance to slam the West for its past conflicts and reiterate support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with the Catholic magazine America published Monday, the Pope appeared to…

Russian Official Quits After Son’s Bloody Videos Spark School Shooting Fears

An official in central Russia has resigned after her son’s disturbing social media posts triggered a high-profile scandal and police involvement, media reported Thursday. The republic of Chuvashia’s digital development minister Kristina Maynina was summoned for questioning after her son’s classmates noticed his social media posts and perceived them as a threat to shoot up the…

Russian Lawmakers Pass Expansion to ‘Gay Propaganda’ Ban

Russian lawmakers passed legislation Thursday imposing steep fines for LGBT “propaganda” among both minors and adults. The new bill bans the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” aimed at any age group — not just toward minors, as was banned under the country’s controversial 2013 law. The bill also codifies new offenses such as “propaganda of pedophilia”…