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My Europe Series

How Gorbachev’s dream of liberal, European Russia failed

The death of the eighth and final president of the Soviet Union has sparked debates that are particularly relevant now when Russia is involved in the invasion of its western neighbour.

Russia

From perestroika to Putin, the life of Mikhail Gorbachev in pictures

As the eighth and final Soviet president is to be interred in Moscow on Saturday, these are some of the key moments in his life and career.

Europe Decoded

Video: Why Lithuania didn't join the tributes to Mikhail Gorbachev

While Western Europe praised the last Soviet leader, the Baltic country was openly critical about his legacy.

Russia

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev dies at 91

The eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union died at a Moscow hospital where he was admitted for treatment, Russian media reported Tuesday night.

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Latvia

Watch as Soviet-era obelisk comes crashing down in Riga, Latvia

The nearly 80-metre spire was a prominent feature in downtown Latvia and has been used for commemorating Russia's Victory Day.

Latvia

Removal of Soviet-era war memorial in Latvia angers ethnic Russians

A new law to remove Soviet-era monuments in Latvia because of the invasion of Ukraine has caused anger among the country's ethnic Russian community.

Estonia

Estonia to remove Soviet-era monuments to 'ensure public order'

"As symbols of repressions and Soviet occupation, they have become a source of increasing social tensions," said Estonia's PM, Kaja Kallas.

Scenes

Meet the 13-year-old restoring old Soviet tech in Georgia

In partnership with Media City

“The markets for old tech in Tbilisi are glorious. There's nothing digital around and there are moments that feel a little bit like Bladerunner."

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Candles lit as St Petersburg remembers WW2 invasion

STORYLINE: Some 150 volunteers arranged 50-thousand candles in St Petersburg early on Wednesday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.

Culture news

'Rock star' Russian dissident Limonov gets film tribute

Ben Whishaw will play the founder of the National Bolshevik Party in a film by Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov, who was recently released from a suspended prison sentence.

Ukraine

Ukraine's first President Leonid Kravchuk dies aged 88

Kravchuk was a driving force in Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

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Russian envoy to Poland splattered with red liquid on Victory

Russian envoy to Poland splattered with red liquid on Victory

Belarus

Belarus' first president Stanislav Shushkevich dies aged 87

Shushkevich is best known for informing Mikhail Gorbachev about the end of the Soviet Union and leading Belarus to independence.

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Soviet 'friendship monument' taken down in Kyiv

Ukrainian authorities dismantled the Monument of People's Friendship on Tuesday, a statue overlooking the Dnieper River in Kyiv, representing Russian-Ukrainian friendship.

My Europe Series

From Pushkin to Gagarin, Ukraine removes Russia one symbol at a time

A statue of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin was removed in April. Now other parts of Ukraine are questioning why Soviet-era monuments remain.

Czech Republic

Czech MPs vote to recognise Soviet-era famine in Ukraine as genocide

Up to four million people are believed to have died during the great famine between 1932 and 1933.

My Europe Series

For Soviet-Afghan war veterans, Ukraine is a conflict 'without honour'

Iurie Cibuc, 62, was proud to fight for the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. He doubts that a new generation of Russian soldiers feel the same about the war in Ukraine.

Lithuania

Lithuanians accuse ex-Soviet leader Gorbachev of war crimes

The former Soviet leader is accused of ordering an attack on Vilnius in January 1991, which killed 14 people.

Russia

It's 30 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union

The USSR was formally dissolved on 26 December 1991.

My Europe Series

Mikhail Gorbachev tried to get Russia on the wagon. He failed

Mikhail Gorbachev is remembered for dismantling the USSR and bringing about the end of Communism in the Soviet Union, but when he took power in 1985 his ambitions were far less radical.