Russia

World News

Putin's United Russia Party Wins Big In Election; Some Ballot-Stuffing Seen

1:00pm September 19, 2016

by Bill Chappell

At least one incident of ballot-stuffing was caught on camera, but Sunday's vote brought a big win for President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party and its allies.

In Russia, A New Parliament Is Expected To Act Much Like The Old One

5:12pm September 17, 2016

by Corey Flintoff

Most of Russia's opposition has been greatly weakened or eliminated. As Russians elect a new parliament, it's expected to be a rubber-stamp body that follows the wishes of President Vladimir Putin.

Secretary of State John Kerry tells NPR that the new U.S.-Russia ceasefire deal in Syria is the best option under the circumstances. Without it, he says, there would be more deaths.

Secretary Of State John Kerry On Syria Cease-Fire: 'What's The Alternative?'

8:15am September 14, 2016

Secretary of State John Kerry tells NPR's Steve Inskeep that the new U.S.-Russia cease-fire deal in Syria is the best option under the circumstances. Without it, he says, there would be more deaths.

Queue Listen Now

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (right) enter a news conference room Friday in Geneva to announce a cease-fire agreement for Syria.

Syria Cease-Fire Plan Reached, U.S. And Russia Announce

7:07pm September 09, 2016

The agreement, announced by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will be put into place beginning at sundown on Monday.

Donald Trump's Long Embrace Of Vladimir Putin

3:15pm September 09, 2016

by Jessica Taylor

An interview with the GOP presidential nominee aired on state-funded Russian television network Thursday. And Trump has repeatedly praised Russian President Putin over the course of his campaign.

Mufti Ismail Berdiev (right) is a religious leader in the Republic of Dagestan. When a report documented female genital mutilation in this republic, he said all women should be circumcised "to end depravity." He later said he was joking. Above, he poses w

Controversy Erupts In Russia Over Report On Female Genital Mutilation

5:53pm August 23, 2016

by Corey Flintoff

It's the first systematic documentation of the practice in the republic of Dagestan. Reactions from a mufti, a priest and a rabbi have sparked a charged debate.

People stand outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., in June. DNC staffers said publication of leaked emails in July was a Russian ploy to support the candidacy of Donald Trump. But, says a Russian investigative journal

In Leak Of Democratic Emails, Questions About Russia's Role

2:56pm August 19, 2016

by Corey Flintoff

What's behind Russia's apparent hacking into the Democratic National Committee — and what could it gain by meddling in the U.S. election? "It's all about Hillary Clinton," says a Russian journalist.

Queue Listen Now

The zigzagging route of the Crimea Bridge, seen from the Russian side, bristles with cranes and construction equipment. The $4.3 billion project is expected to be finished in 2019.

World News

Russia's Crimea Bridge Project Beset By Engineering Worries And Labor Woes

6:37pm August 16, 2016

by Corey Flintoff

Russia is racing to build a bridge to Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula it annexed in 2014. The strategically vital project is beset by charges of near-slave labor for workers and engineering concerns.

Queue Listen Now

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets well-wishers on a visit to Crimea in August 2015. Russia seized and annexed the territory from Ukraine in March 2014.

World News

Russia Accuses Ukraine Of 'Terrorist' Attack In Crimea

7:16am August 11, 2016

by Corey Flintoff

Russia says two of its servicemen were killed by Ukrainian forces firing into Crimea. Ukraine's president said the Russian claims are "fantasy."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Tuesday.

World News

Erdogan, Putin Meet After Months Of Tension Between Turkey And Russia

11:05am August 09, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he wants a "clean slate," NPR's Peter Kenyon reports. The two leaders met in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.