Russia

U.S. Says Russian Missiles Intended For Syria Have Crashed In Iran

5:12pm October 08, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

One U.S. official said the cruise missiles were launched from warships in the Caspian Sea. It was unclear where the missiles landed in Iran or if they caused any damage.

World News

As Russia's Cruise Missiles Strike At Targets In Syria, NATO Stands With Turkey

8:53am October 08, 2015

by Bill Chappell

In his speech kicking off the NATO meeting, Stoltenberg also said the alliance will establish two "small headquarters" in Hungary and Slovakia.

The Russian leader, shown here as "Vladimir Vladimirovich Buddha," was depicted as various pop culture heroes and religious, mythical and historical figures at a Moscow exhibition on Wednesday, his 63rd birthday.

World News

In Honor Of His 63rd, Putin Plays Hockey And Is Painted As The Buddha

4:56pm October 07, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

The Russian leader scored seven goals in his birthday game with NHL players — and in a Moscow exhibition, works of fan art depicted him in guises including Batman, Thor, Jupiter and the Buddha.

World News

Russian Warplane Incursions In Turkey Are 'Unacceptable,' NATO Chief Says

11:02am October 06, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Turkey says that on Sunday, a MiG-29 plane kept two of its F-16 jets on its radar as potential targets for more than five minutes.

A combination of images taken from footage released by Russia's Defense Ministry shows a mountainous area in Syria before, during and after an airstrike Wednesday. Russia is being criticized for attacking groups other than ISIS militants.

World News

Syrian Opposition Says Russian Airstrikes Aren't Targeting ISIS

11:50am October 01, 2015

by Bill Chappell

For U.S. leaders, the Russian airstrikes have stoked concerns that they would be used against not only ISIS, but also against moderate rebel groups.

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Russia has ramped up its role in Syria's civil war. Here, President Vladimir Putin (center) speaks with Secretary of State John Kerry (right) and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the U.N. General Assembly on Monday.

World News

Russia Begins Airstrikes In Syria After Assad's Request

1:39pm September 30, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The U.S. military says a Russian official informed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad about the missions; Syria says it invited Russia's air force to help fight terrorism.

President Obama and Vladimir Putin met for 90 minutes after the Russian president's Monday speech at the United Nations.

Putin, Obama Meet On Syria, But Sharp Disagreements Remain

1:27pm September 29, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

Russia's military buildup in Syria has raised alarms in the West, but many Russians see it as necessary to counter Islamist extremism. Russian analysts say Putin risks involvement in a quagmire.

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Russia Sends Warplanes To Syria To Join Fight Against ISIS

12:34pm September 18, 2015

by Scott Neuman

NPR has learned that 16 aircraft — including four attack jets and as many attack helicopters — have landed in Syria at a forward operating base at Latakia.

"Oh, look! There's a donkey in my living room!!!" was the photographer's Instagram caption.

The Powerful Photos That Rocked Getty Images' First Instagram Grant

10:11am September 14, 2015

by Malaka Gharib

For many photojournalists, Instagram has become a "modern-day Polaroid camera" used to take quick snapshots of important issues — and visual media giants have taken notice.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin pose for a picture ahead of their meeting at the foreign ministry's guesthouse, Vi

World News

Deal To Remove Heavy Weapons From Ukraine 'Very Close'

12:13pm September 13, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, met in Berlin over the weekend following a two-week cease-fire that appears to have held.