Now playing Next Russia Russian atheist 'faces jail' under anti-blasphemy law There are claims that a Russian blogger who denied the existence of God in online comments could face a year in jail – under a law brought in after 03/03/2016
Now playing Next Russia Ex-PM turned Putin critic Kasyanov seeks reform in Russia A former Russian prime minister now faces death threats after joining the country’s opposition and criticising President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail 01/03/2016
Now playing Next Sport Russian athletes compete domestically as they maintain 2016 Olympic aspirations Russia’s elite track and field athletes have been training hard in Moscow this week as the nation keeps alive its slim hopes of making the Rio 01/03/2016
Now playing Next Russia Rescue operation for trapped miners halted The Russian government has confirmed that rescue operations have been halted after further blasts at a mine inside the Arctic Circle. claimed six lives. 28/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Moscow marchers 'forbidden' from passing site of Nemtsov's murder Thousands march through Moscow to honour Boris Nemtsov, but are reportedly forbidden from crossing the bridge where the Kremlin critic was murdered. 27/02/2016
Now playing Next no comment Russia: 'Sledge battle' Sledging enthusiasts turned out in Moscow on Tuesday for a competition to see which teams had the best designed sledge. Teams took turns to slide 24/02/2016
Now playing Next Economy Russia's central bank governor wants to lower risks from forex fluctuations Russian central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina says the bulk of banking loans in Russia should be in roubles to minimise risks related to currency fluctuations. 22/02/2016
Now playing Next no comment Russia: Icy water chess tournament Russian winter swimmers found a new way to build up their stamina and concentration – by playing chess in icy water. In a lake in Russia’s Ural 22/02/2016
Now playing Next Culture news Pavlova tribute highlight of Sochi Winter Festival Sochi Winter Arts Festival is paying tribute to iconic ballerina Anna Pavlova, the Russian prima ballerina and choreographer whose company, founded in 1911, was the first to tour ballet around the wor 18/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Moscow authorities defend bulldozing of small businesses The authorities in Moscow have defended their right to demolish small businesses they say are illegal and unsafe. Last week they sent bulldozers to 17/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Putin and Orban talk migrants, EU relations and gas in Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow. 17/02/2016
Now playing Next Culture news The Little Prince is out of this world in Don't Leave Your Planet The Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, famous for hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 2014 is also the host city for the annual Winter International 17/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Europe launches Sentinel-3A satellite to help track global warming Europe has launched a satellite it is hoped will help predict climate change patterns as well as improve everyday weather forecasting. The 16/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Seven killed in Russian gas blast A powerful gas explosion that destroyed an apartment block in Russia has left at least seven people dead including two children. Other people were 16/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Russian lorries stuck as Poland and Ukraine close borders Russian lorries are facing a tortuous journey to Europe because of separate disputes with Poland and Ukraine. Hundreds have been stuck at three 15/02/2016
Now playing Next the global conversation Medvedev: Syria, Ukraine and the economic crisis - an exclusive interview Russia is increasingly feared by many in the West as a growing security threat, yet paradoxically it’s one of the key players in finding a solution 14/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Syria would be 'chaos' if Assad ousted, says Medvedev US Secretary of State John Kerry said that if the Syrian peace plan fails, more foreign troops could enter the conflict. Countries such as Saudi 13/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Syria ceasefire more likely to fail than succeed, says Russian FM Russia’s foreign minister said a Syrian ceasefire set to start next week is more likely to fail than succeed. Sergey Lavrov was speaking at a 13/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Moscow criticised for flattening kiosks Moscow authorities have been criticised for the late-night destruction of a number of small businesses around the city. The mayor’s office gave 10/02/2016
Now playing Next Sport Katusha escape ban for two failed dope tests in 12 months The disciplinary committee of world cycling’s governing body UCI has ruled that a suspension for Russian team Katusha was not warranted despite two 10/02/2016
Now playing Next Economy Kremlin 'considering stimulus plan for Russian economy' The Kremlin is reportedly considering a stimulus plan to revive Russia's battered economy that would support - among others - the car industry, railways, construction and agriculture. 10/02/2016
Now playing Next Russia Moscow demolishes illegal metro kiosks in night of long shovels Moscow has begun the large-scale demolition of kiosks and small shopping centres. Sergei Shogurov, head of the capital’s real estate inspectorate 09/02/2016
Now playing Next Economy To Russia with cash: Chinese tourists offset fall in Western visitors Russia is enjoying a tourism boom of Chinese visitors who have become the largest group of foreign visitors with numbers more than doubling last year compared with 2014. 09/02/2016
Now playing Next Culture news Russia's Pussy Riot mocks prosecutor general Yury Chaika in new video Russian ‘punk’ band Pussy Riot has released a video for a new rap-like protest song. In ‘Chaika’, the all-girl collective takes on the Kremlin and 05/02/2016
Now playing Next Economy Russian recession set to deepen says central bank Russia's economy is set to dip deeper into recession according to the latest central bank forecasts as the Kremlin looks at selling stakes in state owned companies. 03/02/2016