Russia Insecure and isolated: The 'illegal' life of Russia's LGBT citizens Draconian laws and repression are forcing Russia's LGBT community out of the country, but those who cannot escape face an increasingly grim fate. 06/12/2023
Russia Moscow gay bars raided after ruling called LGBTQ+ movement 'extremist' The raids follow a decision by Russia’s Supreme Court to call the country’s LGBTQ+ 'movement' an extremist organisation. The move comes as the latest crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights under President Vladimir Putin who has long pushed a 'traditional family values' agenda. 02/12/2023
Russia Pro-Kremlin maestro Valery Gergiev, director of Mariinsky Theatre, put in charge of Bolshoi Gergiev, a world-famous conductor who has been the director of the Mariinsky Theatre for 35 years, has been a strong supporter of Putin and his policies. 02/12/2023
Russia Russians' support of Ukraine war collapses, finds poll The Kremlin is worried about the political impact of war disaffection leading up to the 2024 presidential election, according to a US think tank. 02/12/2023
Russia Euroviews. In today's Russia, 'god of war' Putin is more popular than ever Originally, Putin was picked as a future puppet because he fit the bill — the strongman persona was exactly what the doctor had ordered. Then he ended up cutting loose from his patrons, keeping the persona and the power he accrued all for himself, Aleksandar Đokić writes. 28/11/2023
Europe News Is fatigue over the war in Ukraine settling across the EU? Support for Kyiv in both Europe and the US is starting to wane, in large part driven by hard-right populist forces in both regions. 28/11/2023
Economy Russia approves record spend for its military in new 2024 budget The Russian President has approved a record budget increase of around 30% for military spending in 2024, reaching 36.6 trillion rubles (€376.7 billion). 28/11/2023
Tech News Putin to boost AI in Russia to fight 'dangerous' Western monopoly The Russian president said AI tools created in the West "simply ignore and cancel Russian culture" and impose Western ethics "which we oppose". 27/11/2023
Culture news Legendary soothsayer's 2024 predictions: Putin assassination and more As if 2023 hasn't been challenging enough... 27/11/2023
Culture news Satirical Putin play defies pro-Kremlin sentiment in Bulgaria The play, adapted by director Galin Stoev, portrays President Putin in a unique, satirical light and addresses war crimes in Ukraine. 27/11/2023
Tech News Russia adds the spokesman for Facebook owner Meta to a wanted list The move - which means spokesman Andy Stone now faces charges - comes weeks after Russia classified Meta as a "terrorist and extremist" organisation. 27/11/2023
Russia Putin releases and pardons Satanist killer Nikolai Ogolobyak was given the reprieve after fighting for the notorious Storm Z unit of the Russian army in their war against Ukraine. 22/11/2023
Ukraine Ukraine war: Kyiv claims significant advances near Dnieper river The latest developments from the Ukraine war. 19/11/2023
Ukraine Ukraine war: Kyiv reports increase in drone attacks by Moscow The latest developments from the Ukraine war. 18/11/2023
Culture news Why is a German publisher halting sale of Putin books by a journalist? German journalist Hubert Seipel allegedly received at least €600,000 in offshore payments linked to Russian sources. 17/11/2023
Culture news Russian artist sentenced to 7 years in prison for anti-war messages Sasha Skochilenko was arrested in her native St. Petersburg in April 2022 and charged with spreading false information about the military after replacing price tags with ones that decried Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 16/11/2023
Russia Woman goes on trial over bombing that killed Russian blogger Darya Trepova faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted - but denies being knowingly involved in the incident which killed prominent military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky and injured 52 others. 15/11/2023
Russia Alexei Navalny ally Ksenia Fadeyeva remanded in jail Fadeyeva had been under house arrest. She was added to Russia's list of "terrorists" in January 2022 and went on trial in August. 14/11/2023
Ukraine Ukraine war: Russia ramps up attacks on key cities in eastern Ukraine The latest developments from the Ukraine war. 12/11/2023
Ukraine Ukraine war: Kherson liberation first anniversary marked as Russia investigates train derailment The latest developments from the Ukraine war. 11/11/2023