May 2021 - Russia Special Weapons News

Venezuela Receives New Shipment of Russian Sputnik V Vaccine Against COVID-19, President Maduro Says Sputnik 31 May 2021 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the seventh batch of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine has arrived in Venezuela.
Russian Su-27 Scrambled to Escort US B-52H Bomber Over Baltic Sea Sputnik 31 May 2021 -- Russian fighter Su-27 was scrambled to escort the B-52H bomber of the US Air Force over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center (NDCC) said.
Russia to Create About 20 New Units in Its Western Military District to 'Adequately' Counter NATO Sputnik 31 May 2021 -- Responding to the actions of NATO countries, led by the United States, in the western strategic direction, the Russian Defence Ministry will create around 20 new formations and military units in the Western Military District by the end of the year, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.
Russia to deploy military units near border in response to NATO: Defense minister Press TV 31 May 2021 -- Russia has decided to deploy nearly 20 new military units to the country's southwestern region by the end of the year, amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West over the recent military build-ups along its borders.
Navalny Asks Russian Court To End Nighttime Prison Security Checks RFE/RL 31 May 2021 -- Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny asked a court on May 31 to halt the hourly nighttime checks he has been subjected to in his penal colony, saying the measure amounts to "torture."
Former Chief Of Open Russia Reportedly Removed From Flight, Detained RFE/RL 31 May 2021 -- The former executive director of Open Russia, a pro-democracy movement founded by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has reportedly been removed from a plane in St. Petersburg and detained.
Russian News Outlet NEWSru Closes Down, Citing 'Political Situation' RFE/RL 31 May 2021 -- The Russian online media outlet NEWSru has announced its closure, blaming the country's current "political situation," which has made it economically impossible to function, as advertisers shun independent sources of information.
Lavrov: Russia Will Not Leave New EU Unfriendly Steps Without Response Sputnik 31 May 2021 -- Russia will not leave without a response the new unfriendly steps that are under preparation in the European Union, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
With Kremlin Tight-Lipped About Putin's Talks With Lukashenka, Some Are Instead Asking: 'Where Did He Get That Yacht?' RFE/RL 31 May 2021 -- The Russian public is used to being left in the dark about what President Vladimir Putin discusses with high officials and the heads of other former Soviet republics. Official photos of Putin and his guests provide the fodder for headlines - and countless memes - that often follow.
Three Russian Paramilitaries Killed In Central African Republic RFE/RL 30 May 2021 -- A military vehicle struck a land mine in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.), killing at least two police officers and three Russian paramilitaries helping government forces battle rebel groups in the war-torn country.
First group of Russian diplomats leaves 'unfriendly' Czech Republic Press TV 30 May 2021 -- A Russian government plane with more than 50 embassy staff onboard has left the Prague airport, becoming the first flight taking the expelled diplomats out of the Czech Republic.
To Russia, Without Love: Expulsion Of Diplomats Hampers Kremlin Spy Work In Prague RFE/RL 30 May 2021 -- Russia is facing a cut in staffing at its diplomatic missions in the Czech Republic so severe that it will likely deal an irreversible -- although not fatal -- blow to Kremlin espionage efforts in the country.
Biden To Press Putin On Human Rights During June 16 Meeting RFE/RL 30 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden says he will press Russian President Vladimir Putin to respect human rights when the two leaders meet in June.
White House Says Biden-Putin Summit To 'Move Forward' Despite Cyberattack RFE/RL 29 May 2021 -- The White House has suggested that government agencies largely rebuffed the latest cyberassault on U.S. targets by suspected Russian intelligence operatives and downplayed adversarial tensions ahead of a summit next month between the U.S. and Russian presidents.
Dozens Of Russian Diplomats Leave Czech Republic Amid Strained Relations RFE/RL 29 May 2021 -- Dozens of Russian diplomats and their families have left the Czech Republic after Prague ordered their expulsion in April.
Russian Diplomat Says Hundreds Of Soldiers Heading To C.A.R. Are Instructors RFE/RL 29 May 2021 -- The Russian deputy ambassador to the United Nations has described hundreds of Russian soldiers due to be sent to the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) this month as "unarmed instructors."
Russia Ready To Send $500 Million Loan Tranche To Belarusian Government RFE/RL 29 May 2021 -- Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka was in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi for a second day of meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
NATO Chief Says 'Hard To Believe' No Russian Coordination On Ryanair Diversion RFE/RL 29 May 2021 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he thinks it is likely that Belarusian authorities organized the diversion last week of an Irish airliner to Minsk with ally Russia.
Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Geneva, 28 May 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 May 2021 -- The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released the following statement today:
Russian Authorities Tell Airlines To Expect Delays Due To Belarusian Airspace Ban RFE/RL 28 May 2021 -- Russia's state air transport agency says changes to routes from Europe to Russia as a result of the dispute between the West and Belarus over the forced diversion of a Ryanair flight to Minsk may result in longer clearance times.
Lukashenka, Putin Meet Amid Outrage Over Diversion Of Plane RFE/RL 28 May 2021 -- Belarusian authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka met in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi with Russian President Vladimir Putin as EU foreign ministers debate possible targets for new economic sanctions against Minsk in response to its diversion of a commercial plane and the arrest of a journalist on board.
The Week In Russia: A Parallel Universe RFE/RL 28 May 2021 -- A persistent crackdown makes a grim backdrop for talk of freedom and democracy, and the Kremlin puts on a straight face to defend Alyaksandr Lukashenka by suggesting there was nothing suspicious about the diversion of a passenger jet to Minsk, where authorities arrested a blogger and critic of the Belarusian strongman along with his girlfriend.
Senior Russian Official Says No Talks Taking Place On Prisoner Swap With U.S. RFE/RL 28 May 2021 -- A senior Russian officials says Moscow is not in talks with Washington over a possible prisoner swap involving Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine jailed in Russia for spying.
Russia Deplores U.S. Decision Not To Rejoin Open Skies Treaty RFE/RL 28 May 2021 -- Russia says Washington's decision not to rejoin an arms control deal that has allowed unarmed aerial flights over dozens of participating countries clouds the outlook for arms control discussions during next month's planned summit between the presidents of the two countries.
Foreign Ministry statement on the US decision not to return to the Open Skies Treaty Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 May 2021
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Anze Logar, Moscow, May 28, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 May 2021
Russia Refuses to Allow 2 EU Airline Flights to Land VOA 28 May 2021 -- Russia refused to allow two EU-based airlines to land flights in the country to avoid Belarusian airspace days after Belarus scrambled a fighter jet and used a false bomb alert to divert an Irish passenger jet to Minsk and arrest a dissident Belarusian journalist.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of Gabon Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya, Moscow, May 27, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 May 2021
Exclusive: Meet The Murky Russian Network Behind An Anti-Pfizer Disinformation Drive In Europe RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- A network of Russian marketing companies known for selling dubious nutritional supplements and pushing malware is behind a disinformation campaign to denigrate Western coronavirus vaccines, according to a new RFE/RL investigation.
Russian Supreme Court Backs Government In Patent Dispute Over Remdesivir COVID Treatment RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- Russia's Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit by U.S. biotech company Gilead Sciences that challenged the right of a Russian government decree to allow a domestic pharmaceutical company to produce a generic version of Gilead's antiviral drug remdesivir without consent.
Royal Navy warship 'expelled from Crimean coast' by Russian forces, FSB reveals Press TV 27 May 2021 -- A British Royal Navy destroyer has been 'expelled' from waters off the Crimean coast after crossing into Russian territory, Russia's security service claims.
Russia says monitoring US nuclear arms upgrade for compliance with New START treaty Press TV 27 May 2021 -- Russia says it is closely monitoring the United States' nuclear modernization activities to ensure their compliance with the New START nuclear arms control treaty, amid concerns over Washington's implementation of the key accord.
Russian Court Fines Twitter, Google, TikTok For Refusing To Delete Content RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- A Moscow court has fined Twitter 19 million rubles ($259,000) for failing to delete content Russia deems illegal, in the latest chapter of a long-running dispute between authorities and the social network giant.
Khodorkovsky-Founded Opposition Group Says Its Ending Activities In Russia RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- Open Russia, a British-based pro-democracy movement founded by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, says it has decided to end its operations in Russia.
EU Criticizes Russia For Labeling Three German NGOs 'Undesirable' RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- The European Union has rejected a decision by Russian prosecutors to designate three German nongovernmental groups as "undesirable organizations," calling the move "the most recent example of the Russian authorities' disregard for a vibrant civil society."
Amid A Disinformation Cacophony From Minsk, Analysts Say 'Putin Benefits' RFE/RL 27 May 2021 -- When Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced in April that he had been the target of a failed assassination plot allegedly backed by the CIA, few outside the country batted an eyelid. That's because the outspoken former collective farm boss who has ruled the ex-Soviet state since 1994 has peddled various outlandish theories since protests erupted over his widely disputed reelection in August.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at a joint news conference following talks with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Compatriots Abroad Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Sochi, May 26, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 May 2021
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 26, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 May 2021
Russia Starts Developing Fifth-Generation Light Single-Engine Fighter, Source Says Sputnik 26 May 2021 -- Russia's Sukhoi company began work on the creation of a tactical single-engine fighter of the 5th generation, which will be built using stealth technologies and Su-57 developments, a source in the aircraft construction industry told Sputnik.
Pandemic Pretext? Russian Police Break Up Congress Of Independent Lawmakers RFE/RL 26 May 2021 -- A wedding reception was scheduled for the Hotel Rossia in central Novgorod on the evening of May 22, but guests arrived to find police blocking the door.
Russian Lawmakers Give Final Approval To Law Barring Navalny Allies From Seeking Office RFE/RL 26 May 2021 -- Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has approved the third and final reading of a bill that would ban supporters and members of "extremist" organizations from being elected to any post, a move making it virtually impossible for anyone connected to jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny from gaining public office.
Biden Says Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Would Damage Relations With European Allies RFE/RL 26 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said his administration decided to waive sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline because the project is almost finished, and sanctions would have harmed relations with European allies.
Moscow Declares Bulgarian Embassy Staffer Persona Non Grata in Response to Similar Move by Sofia Sputnik 26 May 2021 -- Bulgarian prosecutors previously alleged that at least six Russians had been behind four explosions at Bulgarian arms depots between 2011 and 2020.
U.S. and Russian Navies Hold Annual INCSEA Consultations in Moscow US Navy Press Release 25 May 2021 -- Delegations representing the U.S. and Russian Navies held the annual Prevention of Incidents On and Over the Waters Outside the Limits of the Territorial Sea (INCSEA) consultations on May 25, 2021, in Moscow.
Russian Lawmakers Take Step Toward Ban Of Navalny Supporters From All Elected Posts RFE/RL 25 May 2021 -- Russia's lower house of parliament has approved the second reading of a bill that would ban supporters and members of "extremist" organizations from being elected to any post.
Kremlin Critic Navalny Says Three More Criminal Cases Launched Against Him RFE/RL 25 May 2021 -- Jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says three new criminal cases have been initiated against him.
U.S. Court Sentences Russian Cybercriminal To 30 Months In Prison RFE/RL 25 May 2021 -- A U.S. court has sentenced a Russian citizen to 30 months in prison for his role in administering an online marketplace peddling stolen credit-card information and personal information to cybercriminals.
Statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Meeting Between President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin of Russia The White House 25 May 2021
Biden-Putin Summit Set For June 16 Amid Escalating Tensions RFE/RL 25 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden will meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Geneva on June 16 in what will be the first meeting of the two leaders since Biden took office.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answer to a media question at a joint news conference following talks with Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Malta Evarist Bartolo, Sochi, May 25, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25 May 2021
RFE/RL Investigation: How Russian Oil Companies Illegally Dump Massive Amounts Of Toxic Waste RFE/RL 25 May 2021 -- Russian oil companies are illegally disposing of millions of tons of contaminated drilling waste, a practice that is wreaking environmental havoc by polluting northern rivers that drain into the Arctic Ocean, a new RFE/RL investigation has found.
Moscow Court Fines Facebook, Google For Failing To Delete Content Banned In Russia RFE/RL 25 May 2021 -- A Russian court has issued fines against Facebook and Google over their failure to delete content deemed by Moscow as illegal.
RDIF, Panacea Biotec Launch Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine Production in India Sputnik 24 May 2021 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced on Monday that it is launching production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 in India jointly with Indian pharmaceutical producer Panacea Biotec, with full-scale production due to start this summer.
Russian Foreign Ministry Releases Data on Russian, US Weapons Under New START Deal Sputnik 24 May 2021 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry released on Monday information about the total number of strategic offensive weapons under the New START deal owned by Russia and the United States.
Russia accuses US of surpassing New START arms limits Press TV 24 May 2021 -- Russia has raised concerns over the US implementation of the New START nuclear arms control treaty, accusing Washington of exceeding the agreed limit on the number of American launchers and bombers.
Russia Gives Google One Day To Delete Banned Content RFE/RL 24 May 2021 -- Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has given Google 24 hours to delete what it said was prohibited content as it faces the possibility of a punitive slowdown measure on it.
The Pratasevich Arrest: What's In It For Russia? RFE/RL 24 May 2021 -- After a passenger jet travelling between two European Union capitals was forced to land in Minsk and a Belarusian journalist was arrested on the tarmac, observers are wondering whether Moscow approved what one Western official called a "act of state terrorism" -- or even made it happen.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions during a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic Nikos Dendias, Sochi, May 23, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24 May 2021
Joint Statement on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev The White House 24 May 2021
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to questions from the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin TV programme, Moscow, May 23, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 May 2021
Russia hails 'reasonable' approach by Belarus to divert Lithuania-bound flight over reported bomb threat Press TV 24 May 2021 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has defended Belarusian authorities' decision to divert a Lithuania-bound passenger flight over the country's airspace following a reported bomb threat, saying Belarus had treated the incident with an "absolutely reasonable approach."
Russia begins mass production of autonomous war robots Press TV 23 May 2021 -- Russia says its military will soon be equipped with autonomous war robots capable of acting independently on the battlefield, as the country has launched mass production of the weapons.
Kremlin: Putin-Biden Meeting Important for US-Russian Ties Sputnik 23 May 2021 -- A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden is important for the US-Russian relationship, while the choice of the location is a technical detail, the spokesman for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, said Sunday.
After Seven Years Of Conflict, Ukraine's Frontline City Of Mariupol Is 'Just Tired' Of The Fighting RFE/RL 23 May 2021 -- Inside a small community center on the outskirts of this city in eastern Ukraine, just 20 kilometers from the front lines of Kyiv's simmering conflict with Moscow-backed separatists, residents gather to learn the basics of first aid and prepare for the possibility of full-scale war with Russia.
U.S. Blacklists 13 Russian Ships In Nord Stream 2, After Exempting Operator, CEO RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- The United States formally blacklisted more than a dozen Russian ships involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, days after exempting the pipeline's Russian operator and CEO.
In Russian Action Film, Bullets, Blood, Blasts, Bad Guys - And A Whitewash Of Mercenary Atrocities? RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- The sweaty, tanned, dirt-stained face drags on a cigarette about three-quarters into the 105-minute film, pensive piano music in the background, and says: "Americans: They're fighting for democracy. And we are [fighting] for justice."
Russian Police Detain Two At Meeting Of Opposition Figures, As Crackdown Continues RFE/RL 22 May 2021 -- Russian police detained two people at a meeting of opposition figures and municipal deputies in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, in the latest crackdown on Kremlin critics ahead of elections later this year.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 21, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 May 2021
Putin threatens to 'knock out teeth' of Russia's adversaries Press TV 21 May 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned against any foreign attempts to challenge the territorial integrity of Russia, threatening that the countries seeking to do so would have their teeth knocked out by Moscow.
Putin Claims Russia Would 'Knock Out The Teeth' Of Any Foreign Aggressor RFE/RL 21 May 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow would "knock the teeth out" of any country that tried to take pieces of his country's vast territory.
Russian Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Force IT Giants To Establish Local Branches RFE/RL 21 May 2021 -- A group of Russian lawmakers has introduced a bill to parliament that would require foreign IT companies to set up local units or face penalties, including a possible ban, as Moscow continues to tighten its control over the flow of information on the Internet.
Russian Lawmakers Move To Ban Navalny Supporters From Running For Office RFE/RL 21 May 2021 -- Russia's lower house of parliament is planning to tighten a bill ahead of its second reading to ban supporters and members of "extremist" organizations from being elected to any post.
The Week In Russia: Dreams Of A Patriot: 100 Years Of Sakharov RFE/RL 21 May 2021 -- Born a century ago, atomic bomb designer and dissident Andrei Sakharov died two years before the Soviet Union's collapse, cutting short his struggle for "pluralism, freedom, and respect for the individual." What would he think of Russia today?
Washington Rallies Support Over Arctic Buildup; Moscow Worried Over Deployments In Norway RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- The United States and Russia have clashed over the military and economic development of the Arctic as the region deals with the effects of climate change.
US, Russia Spar Over Military Buildup at Arctic Summit VOA 20 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced alarm at Russia's military build up in the Arctic region, at a summit of the Arctic Council in Iceland late Thursday.
Zelenskiy Says Russia's Distribution Of Passports In Ukraine's Volatile East Is Step Toward Annexation RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called Moscow's recent move to distribute Russian passports to residents in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk - jointly known as the Donbas - "a big problem" and the first step toward the annexation of the area.
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Biden To Lift Nord Stream 2 Sanction Waivers, Citing Security RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- U.S. lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to reconsider his decision to waive some sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, saying the move was against "both U.S. national and transatlantic security interests."
US Senators Introduce Bill to Reverse Biden's Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Waiver Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- A group of 14 Republican US Senators introduced a draft legislation to override the Biden administration's decision to waive sanctions on the company in charge of Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline exporting gas in Europe, Senator Kevin Cramer, a cosponsor of the initiative, announced.
EU Views US Waiver of Nord Stream 2 Sanctions as Sign of Improving Relations, Spokesman Says Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- The decision not to sanction the operator of the Russian-led gas project Nord Stream 2 points to the United States' desire to improve relations with the European Union, European Commission spokesman Peter Stano told Sputnik on Thursday.
Kremlin Says 'Positive Signals' In U.S.-Russian Relations Despite 'Serious Differences' RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- The Kremlin has said that what it called constructive talks between the top U.S. and Russian diplomats were a "positive signal" for holding a potential summit between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's press point following talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Reykjavik, May 19, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 May 2021
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, Reykjavik, May 19, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 May 2021
Expelled Russian Diplomat Left North Macedonia, Russian Embassy Says Sputnik 20 May 2021 -- The Russian diplomat expelled by North Macedonia left the territory of the republic, the Russian embassy in Skopje told Sputnik.
Andrei Sakharov And The Massive 'Tsar Bomba' That Turned Him Against Nukes RFE/RL 20 May 2021 -- For most of the world, Andrei Sakharov, who was born 100 years ago this week, is remembered as a fearless and tireless champion of human rights and freedoms in the Soviet Union.
Russian parliament house endorses bill on quitting Open Skies Treaty People's Daily 20 May 2021 -- The Russian State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday on the country's withdrawal from the arms-control Treaty on Open Skies.
Russia Proposes Armenia-Azerbaijan Commission To Demarcate Border Amid Incursion Row RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Russia says it has proposed setting up a joint commission to demarcate the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, amid renewed Yerevan-Baku tensions over the past week over an alleged Azerbaijani military incursion.
Did The U.S. And NATO Deceive Moscow About Expansion? No (But It's Complicated). RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Some myths go back millennia. This myth, if it is one, goes back to 1990 -- and just over three decades later, it continues to form a central grievance in Russian President Vladimir Putin's testy narrative about Moscow's ties with the West. It's the question of NATO expansion -- an unhealed scab that, with Russian-Western relations at their lowest ebb since the Cold War, has been picked off yet again and is now bleeding into public view.
Russian Lawmakers, As Expected, Vote To Leave Open Skies Treaty RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has voted to withdraw the country from an international treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities following the departure from the accord by the United States late last year.
Russian Lower House of Parliament Unanimously Backs Pullout From Open Skies Treaty Sputnik 19 May 2021 -- The lower house house of the Russian parliament on Wednesday unanimously decided to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty during a plenary session.
Nord Stream 2 and European Energy Security US Dept. of State 19 May 2021 -- Today, the Department of State submitted a report to Congress pursuant to the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act (PEESA), as amended, listing four vessels, five entities, and one individual involved in construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, including Nord Stream 2 AG and the company's CEO Matthias Warnig.
US Waives Sanctions on Firm Working on Germany-Russia Pipeline VOA 19 May 2021 -- The U.S. will waive sanctions against the German company leading construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, according to a State Department report sent to Congress on Wednesday.
Germany Confirms That U.S. Won't Put Sanctions On Russian Undersea Pipeline Project RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Germany's top diplomat has confirmed reports that the United States will not impose new sanctions on the company in charge of the undersea Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a move welcomed by the Kremlin.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a meeting dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Arctic Council, May 19, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 May 2021
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 May 2021
Top US, Russian Diplomats Meet in Iceland to Cooperate on 'Intersecting Interests' VOA 19 May 2021 -- The United States says it is ready to work with Russia to advance areas where the two nations have "intersecting interests," while continuing to defend U.S. interests and respond if Moscow acts aggressively against Washington and its allies.
Navalny Associates Summoned To Police In Fraud Case RFE/RL 19 May 2021 -- Police in Moscow have summoned dozens of staff members of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) as part of an investigation into an alleged fraud case launched against the outspoken Kremlin critic in December 2020.
Russia's Aeroflot Cancels Flights To Turkey As It Watches COVID-19 Numbers RFE/RL 18 May 2021 -- Aeroflot has canceled nearly all flights to Turkey in June in an extension of a suspension of flights imposed last month because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
SVR Chief Denies Russia Was Behind Solarwinds Cyberattack RFE/RL 18 May 2021 -- The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has denied that his agency was behind the SolarWinds cyberattack, which was blamed on Moscow by both U.S. and British intelligence officials and resulted in U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine Denounces Russia's Persecution Of Crimean Tatars RFE/RL 18 May 2021 -- Ukrainian officials have marked the 77th anniversary of the Crimean Tatars' Stalin-era deportations from Crimea to Central Asia by denouncing what they called their ongoing persecution by Russia.
Russian Lawmakers Back More Restrictive Civil Society Legislation RFE/RL 18 May 2021 -- Russian lawmakers gave preliminary backing to new legislation that human rights groups says is part of authorities' efforts to "annihilate any shred of visible dissent" in the country.
North Macedonia Declares Russian Diplomat Persona Non Grata RFE/RL 18 May 2021 -- North Macedonia has declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata and communicated the decision to Moscow earlier this week.
Russian Court Takes Minutes To Reject Navalny Lawsuit Over Failure To Probe His Poisoning RFE/RL 18 May 2021 -- A military court in Moscow has upheld a lower court's decision to reject a lawsuit filed by jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny against the Main Military Investigative Directorate (GVSU) over its refusal to launch a probe into his poisoning in Siberia with a chemical nerve agent in August.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone David John Francis, Moscow, May 17, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 May 2021
Doubts Mount About Efficacy of Russia's Sputnik Vaccine VOA 17 May 2021 -- Doubts are mounting about the efficacy of Russia's Sputnik vaccine. Drug regulators in the Czech Republic and Brazil have withheld approval and counterparts in Slovakia have also expressed doubts.
Russia Warns That Escalating Tensions Between Israel, Hamas Pose Risks to Regional Security Sputnik 17 May 2021 -- The possible uncontrolled escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would pose a significant danger given the fragile security system in the Middle East, and effort is currently being made to prevent new airstrikes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Turkey to Go Ahead with Russian Weapons Purchases Despite US Objections VOA 17 May 2021 -- Turkey is threatening to go ahead with Russian military purchases despite warnings from Washington. The threat comes as the impasse between the NATO members deepens over Ankara's purchase of a Russian missile system.
Russia Could Go Beyond Planned Series of 10 Borei-Class Nuclear-Powered Subs, Government Says Sputnik 17 May 2021 -- Russia could build more Borei-A class strategic ballistic missile submarines after it finishes the construction of ten such subs in accordance with the current contracts, Vladimir Pospelov, member of the Military-Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Sputnik.
Navalny Court Hearing Postponed After Extra Evidence Added RFE/RL 17 May 2021 -- A Russian court has postponed the hearing into a case against the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny to determine whether it should be designated "extremist."
EU Says Russian 'Foreign Agent' Law Stifling Independent Media, Calls For Repeal RFE/RL 17 May 2021 -- The European Union has called on Russia to repeal its controversial "foreign agent" law, which has been used to target a growing number of Russian-language media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Lukashenka To Meet Putin Soon As Belarus Plans To Raise Cash RFE/RL 16 May 2021 -- Alyaksandr Lukashenka will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month as the Belarusian strongman faces growing isolation from the West over his crackdown on peaceful protesters.
Belarusian Military Suggests NATO Aircraft Practising Strikes Against Russia, Belarus Sputnik 16 May 2021 -- NATO air forces are most likely practising strikes against Belarus and Russia during their demonstration flights in the region, Maj. Gen. Igor Korol, the first deputy chief of the general staff of the Belarusian armed forces, said on Sunday.
Russia 'monitoring' Royal Navy vessel in Black Sea Press TV 16 May 2021 -- In a sign the crisis on Ukraine's border with Russia has not fully abated, the Russian navy has reported it is closely monitoring a British Royal Navy vessel in the Black Sea.
Russia reports 8,790 new COVID-19 cases, 364 deaths SPA 15 May 2021 -- Russia reported 8,790 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, the day after the number of daily infections climbed to 9,462, the highest number of new cases since the end of March, Reuters reported.
Top EU Diplomat Criticizes Russia's List Of 'Unfriendly States' RFE/RL 16 May 2021 -- The European Union has criticized Russia's decision to categorize the United States and the Czech Republic as "unfriendly" states, saying the move is not justified.
Kyiv Would 'Gladly' Swap Medvedchuk For Ukrainian Prisoners In Russia, Says Top Official RFE/RL 15 May 2021 -- A top Ukrainian official did not exclude the possibility of a prisoner swap with Russia if a Kyiv court convicts a Kremlin-leaning politician of treason.
Russia calls US, Czech Republic 'unfriendly' states, limits embassy hires Press TV 15 May 2021 -- The Russian government says it has officially deemed the United States and the Czech Republic "unfriendly" countries, imposing restrictions on hiring local staffers by their diplomatic missions.
Russia's Designation Of U.S., Czech Republic As 'Unfriendly' Draws Criticism From Brussels RFE/RL 15 May 2021 -- The European Council has criticized Russia's decision to designate the United States and the Czech Republic as "unfriendly," a move by Moscow that will limit the two Western countries in their hiring of staff for embassy operations in Russia.
EU Urges Russia to Revise Decision on 'Unfriendly States' List, Borrell Says Sputnik 15 May 2021 -- The European Union has called on Moscow to revise its decision regarding Russia's list of unfriendly countries, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Saturday.
Ex-Green Beret Who Spied For Russia Sentenced To More Than 15 Years RFE/RL 15 May 2021 -- A former U.S. Army Green Beret who pleaded guilty last year to providing classified information to Russian military intelligence agents over a long period of time has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.
Ecuador Gets Russia's Go-Ahead for Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Sputnik 14 May 2021 -- Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health has received approval from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for the shipment of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Latin American country's foreign ministry said.
Armenia's Interim PM Pashinyan Pens Letter to Russian President Putin to Ask for Military Assistance Sputnik 14 May 2021 -- The development comes as the Armenian military declared that Azerbaijani forces violated Armenia's border in the Syunik Province, an area wedged between Azerbaijan's mainland to the east and the Nakhchivan autonomous republic, an Azeri enclave, to the west.
Russia reports 9,462 new COVID-19 cases, 393 deaths SPA 14 May 2021 -- Russia reported 9,462 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 3,818 in Moscow, taking the official national tally since the pandemic began to 4,922,901. The government coronavirus task force said 393 people had died of coronavirus-linked causes in the past 24 hours, pushing the national death toll to 115,116, according to Reuters.
Armenia Turns To Russian-Led CSTO Amid Border Standoff With Azerbaijan RFE/RL 14 May 2021 -- Armenia has formally appealed to the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to hold consultations on its border dispute with Azerbaijan that has emerged months after the two countries ended a war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
A Powerful Kremlin Ally Faces Treason In Ukraine. Ukraine's President Faces A Political Trip Wire. RFE/RL 14 May 2021 -- It may be the highest-profile trial in Ukraine since Volodymyr Zelenskiy won the presidency two years ago -- and possibly the most consequential since another major political court case roiled Ukrainian politics a decade ago.
Russian President Putin vows to Ukraine's prosecution of ally Press TV 14 May 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to respond in a timely fashion to a move by Ukraine to prosecute a Ukrainian lawmaker and close ally of Moscow and put him under house arrest in a case of alleged treason.
US Embassy in Moscow to temporarily resume consular services as ties seem to thaw Press TV 14 May 2021 -- The US Embassy in Moscow will temporarily resume consular services for American citizens in Russia, as relations seem to relatively thaw ahead of a possible summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Joe Biden.
U.S. Embassy In Moscow Temporarily Resumes Consular Services RFE/RL 14 May 2021 -- The U.S. Embassy in Moscow will temporarily resume consular services following the Russian government's move to postpone a ban on employing foreign nationals.
Russian Journalist Who Exposed Oil-Theft Schemes Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison RFE/RL 14 May 2021 -- A Russian journalist who believes he was targeted by investigators for his expose on massive oil theft in western Siberia has been convicted on blackmail and pornography charges and sentenced to eight years in prison.
Moscow Subway Reportedly Fires Dozens Of Workers Who Supported Navalny RFE/RL 14 May 2021 -- The Moscow subway has fired dozens of workers who supported jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, according to Dozhd TV, an independent station.
The Week In Russia: Triumph And Tragedy RFE/RL 14 May 2021 -- President Vladimir Putin snubbed the Western Allies in a speech marking the anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II, and a devastating school shooting hit the heart of Russia. Questions persist about Moscow's COVID numbers - and its vaccine claims, too - while rising prices are giving the government a headache it could be hard to relieve.
Former Army Green Beret Sentenced for Russian Espionage Conspiracy US Dept. of Justice 14 May 2021 -- A Virginia man and former Army Green Beret was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for conspiring with Russian intelligence operatives to provide them with U.S. national defense information.
Camera In The Banya: Russia's FSB Spied On Jehovah's Witnesses In Bathhouse RFE/RL 14 May 2021 -- Russian intelligence services have spied on and filmed Jehovah's Witnesses in a bathhouse, in the latest example of persecution against the outlawed Christian group.
Uraltransmash began supplying Akatsia howitzers for the Russian Ministry of Defense Rostec 13 May 2021 -- As part of the state defense order Uraltransmash of the Uralvagonzavod concern, Rostec State Corporation delivered the first batch of 2S3M Akatsia self-propelled howitzers after major overhaul.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 13, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 May 2021
Russia reports over 8,300 COVID-19 cases in the past day SPA 13 May 2021 -- Russia confirmed 8,380 COVID-19 cases over the past day, bringing the total caseload to 4,913,439, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
Pentagon, NATO Demonstrate Transparency Officials Want Russia to Emulate DoD News 13 May 2021 -- The contrast in the transparency demonstrated by the United States and its European allies and that displayed by Russia is obvious — perhaps shown best in the way each side handles exercises.
EU Warns Russia Is Trying To Integrate Parts Of Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- European Union officials are calling for a stronger response by the bloc to Russian aggression toward Ukraine, warning that Moscow's ultimate aim is to absorb parts of eastern Ukraine where a war has raged for seven years.
Moscow Decries Arctic Militarisation, Concerned About Recent US Submarine Activity Near Russia Sputnik 13 May 2021 -- On Monday, a US submarine was allowed entry to the Norwegian port city of Tromso for the first time. The manoeuvre was met with protests by locals fearing that the city could become a target in case of a war.
Russian Court Cuts Jail Term Of Former Russian Lawmaker, Navalny Supporter To One Day RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- A Russian court has cut the jail term of opposition politician and former Yekaterinburg Mayor Yevgeny Roizman from nine days to one day after he appealed the ruling against him for his online posts about a January 31 rally to support jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
China, Russia back Iran's demand for effective removal of US sanctions Press TV 13 May 2021 -- Russian and China — both parties to the 2015 nuclear deal — have once again backed Tehran's call for an effective removal of the sanctions imposed by the United States on the Iranian nation in the aftermath of Washington's withdrawal from the landmark accord.
U.S. Names Russia, Iran Among Worst Abusers Of Religious Rights, Slams 'Genocide' Against Uyghurs In China RFE/RL 13 May 2021 -- The U.S. State Department has accused China of committing "genocide" against Muslim Uyghurs and other religious minorities in an annual report that also labeled Iran and Russia among the world's worst offenders of religious freedom.
Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Russia 12 May 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
'Lying As If We Are Morons': Russian Demographer Calls Official COVID-19 Statistics 'Disinformation' RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- President Vladimir Putin was hopeful in remarks on May 10 about the coronavirus pandemic in Russia.
Russia Reports 8,217 New COVID-19 Cases, 355 Deaths SPA 12 May 2021 -- Russia reported 8,217 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, including 2,718 in Moscow, taking the national infection tally to 4,905,059, Reuters reported.
Russia Expands Military Facilities in Syria VOA 12 May 2021 -- Russia is expanding its navy base at the Syrian port of Tartus and planning to construct a floating dock to boost the port's ship repair facilities, according to Russian military officials.
Secretary Blinken's Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Dept. of State 12 May 2021
Blinken Tells Lavrov That U.S. Won't Hesitate To Respond To Russian Aggression RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden won't waver in responding to aggression from Moscow in the United States or elsewhere.
Former Russian Lawmaker Jailed Over Posts On Pro-Navalny Rally RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- Russian opposition politician and former mayor of the Urals city of Yekaterinburg Yevgeny Roizman has been sentenced to nine days in jail for his online posts about a January 31 rally to support jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
Russia expels Romanian diplomat in tit-for-tat move Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Russia has expelled the Romanian assistance military attaché in Moscow in a tit-for-tat measure after Romania declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata late last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry has announced.
Kremlin Denies All Claims About Russian Involvement in Hacker Attacks in US Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- Russia has nothing to do with hacker attacks in the US and such accusations are unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
Russia denies any link to cyberattack on US fuel pipeline Press TV 11 May 2021 -- Russia has denied involvement in a cyberattack that led to the shutdown of the biggest US fuel pipeline operated by the Colonial Pipeline Company.
Russia Reports 8,115 New COVID-19 Cases, 329 Deaths SPA 11 May 2021 -- Russia reported 8,115 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours on Tuesday, taking the national tally to 4,896,842, Reuters reported.
Russia says arms control, security should be discussed at a Putin-Biden meeting Press TV 11 May 2021 -- Russia has proposed that arms control and security issues be high on the agenda of a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Joe Biden.
Russia Intercepts Fourth Foreign Plane in One Day Close to Its Borders Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- Russia's MiG-31 fighter intercepted on Tuesday an Orion patrol aircraft of the Norwegian air force over the Barents Sea, which was moving towards the Russian border, the Northern Fleet said.
Russian Su-30 Intercepts Three French Military Aircraft Over Black Sea Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- A Russian Su-30 fighter on Tuesday intercepted two Dassault Mirage-2000 fighters and an aerial refuelling tanker of the French Air Force that were approaching the Russian border, Russia's Southern Military District said.
Arms Control, Security Seen Leading Agenda Of Proposed Putin-Biden Summit RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- The U.S. ambassador for disarmament says preparations for a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden are under way.
US Envoy Says Putin, Biden Agree to Discuss Strategic Stability Issues, Arms Control Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to maintain dialogue on strategic stability issues, such as arms control and emerging security issues, Ambassador Robert A. Wood, the US permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament, said on Tuesday.
Russia Expels Romanian Diplomat In Tit-For-Tat Move RFE/RL 11 May 2021 -- Russia has announced the expulsion of the Romanian Embassy's deputy military attache in response to Bucharest's decision to expel a Russian diplomat.
Russia Expels Romanian Diplomat in Response to Bucharest's Actions Sputnik 11 May 2021 -- Russia has declared the Romanian Embassy's assistant defence attache in Moscow persona non grata. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that this is in response to Romania's decision to expel a Russian diplomat from Romania, adding that the diplomat must leave the country within 72 hours.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to questions at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, Baku, May 11, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 May 2021
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during a meeting with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev Baku, May 10, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10 May 2021
Russia's 'Pivot to Asia' Fails to Gain Much Traction Beyond Arms Sales to Myanmar, Vietnam Radio Free Asia 10 May 2021 -- Russia announced a plan last year to shift its diplomatic and trade ties eastward from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region.
'Alone' Among Allies? Why Putin Shunned The West In Victory Day Speech RFE/RL 10 May 2021 -- In his speeches at the annual Red Square military parade marking the anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized the massive role the Soviet Union played, while often minimizing the contributions made by the Western Allies, including the United States.
Missing Russian Doctor Who Headed Hospital That Treated Navalny Found Alive RFE/RL 10 May 2021 -- Officials in Russia's Omsk region says regional Health Minister Aleksandr Murakhovsky, who was the head doctor at the hospital that treated opposition politician Aleksei Navalny last August, has been found alive after going missing under mysterious circumstances.
Missing Doctor Who Treated Navalny in Siberia Found Alive Sputnik 10 May 2021 -- Alexander Murakhovsky, the missing health minister from Russia's Omsk Region and former chief of a hospital that treated opposition figure Alexei Navalny for his alleged poisoning, has been found alive, the regional government said.
Claims That Sputnik V Negotiations With Germany 'Dead' Are False, RDIF Says Sputnik 09 May 2021 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) refuted claims that negotiations on the supply of the Sputnik V vaccine to Germany reached an impasse and slammed such fake reports as part of a disinformation campaign aimed at preventing the Russian drug from entering European markets.
Joint statement of the Envoys of the Middle East Quartet on the situation in East Jerusalem Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 May 2021 -- "The Envoys of the Middle East Quartet from the European Union, Russia, the United States, and the United Nations are closely monitoring the situation in East Jerusalem, including in the Old City and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood."
On WWII Victory Day, Putin vows to 'firmly' defend Russia's interests Press TV 09 May 2021 -- President Vladimir Putin has vowed that Russia will "firmly" defend national interests, at a time of soaring tensions between Moscow and the West.
Doctor Who Treated Navalny in Siberia Lost in Forest, Search Ongoing Sputnik 09 May 2021 -- Alexander Murakhovsky, the health minister of Russia's Omsk region and former chief of a hospital that treated opposition figure Alexey Navalny from his alleged poisoning, has disappeared in a local forest, the interior ministry's regional office said on Sunday.
Two Russians Plead Guilty To Cybercrimes That Targeted U.S. Banks, Companies RFE/RL 08 May 2021 -- Two Russian nationals are among four men who have pleaded guilty to cybercrimes that targeted banks and companies across the United States, resulting in millions of dollars of losses, the Justice Department said on May 7.
Russia Reports 8,329 New COVID-19 Cases SPA 08 May 2021 -- Russia reported 8,329 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, including 2,765 in Moscow, taking the official national tally since the pandemic began to 4,871,843.
Russia Pledges Support For Tajikistan Amid Concern Over Afghanistan RFE/RL 08 May 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia is working on strengthening its military base in Tajikistan to boost regional security as the situation escalates in Afghanistan.
Czech PM Asks European Council To Condemn Russian Involvement In Arms-Depot Blast RFE/RL 08 May 2021 -- Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has said that he has asked the European Council to condemn Russia for its involvement in the deadly explosion of an arms depot on Czech soil in 2014.
Russia OKs Sputnik Light, One-Dose Version Of Its COVID-19 Vaccine, For Export RFE/RL 07 May 2021 -- Russian regulators on May 6 approved Sputnik Light, a single-dose version of the country's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus.
Russia Reports 8,386 New COVID-19 Cases, 376 deaths SPA 07 May 2021 -- Russia reported 8,386 new coronavirus cases on Friday, including 2,846 in Moscow, which took the national tally of infections to 4,863,514.
Stratcom Leader Describes Growing Threat From Nuclear-Armed China and Russia DoD News 07 May 2021 -- The United States and its allies face an increasing set of threats from potential adversaries such as China, Russia and North Korea. U.S. Strategic Command's mission is to deter these threats through the deployment of a set of strategic capabilities, including nuclear armed submarines, bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The Week In Russia: A Grave New World RFE/RL 07 May 2021 -- Halfway between opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's grim winter homecoming and September parliamentary elections that will test President Vladimir Putin's legitimacy, analysts say Russia has entered a new era of repressions that poses risks for the Kremlin - and will be hard to reverse.
Biden Says He's 'Confident' About Meeting Putin In June RFE/RL 07 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has said that the time and place for his proposed summit with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, are still being worked out.
Amnesty International Restores Navalny's 'Prisoner Of Conscience' Status RFE/RL 07 May 2021 -- Amnesty International says it has decided to redesignate Aleksei Navalny as a "prisoner of conscience" after the human rights watchdog earlier this year stopped referring to the jailed opposition politician as such over past comments he made that reached "the threshold of advocacy of hatred."
Russia Authorises Single-Dose Sputnik Light COVID Vaccine For Use Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Russia has registered Sputnik Light, the single-dose vaccine against COVID-19, which has an efficacy of 79.4 percent, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said.
Russia Reports 7,639 New COVID-19 Cases, 351 Deaths SPA 06 May 2021 -- Russia reported 7,639 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, including 2,114 in Moscow, which took the national tally of infections to 4,855,128, according to Reuters.
Blinken: US Stands with Ukraine Against 'Reckless' Russia Actions VOA 06 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that while Russia has withdrawn some forces from the Ukrainian border region, "significant forces" and equipment remain there and the United States wants Russia to "cease reckless and aggressive actions."
US asks Russia to cease 'reckless and aggressive actions' against Ukraine Press TV 06 May 2021 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Russia to cease "reckless and aggressive actions" against Ukraine, ratcheting up rhetoric against the former Cold War adversary.
In Kyiv, Blinken Calls On Russia To Cease 'Reckless And Aggressive' Actions Against Ukraine RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on the first visit to Kyiv by a senior U.S. official from the administration of President Joe Biden, has called on Russia to cease its "reckless and aggressive actions" against Ukraine.
Moscow: US has no right to criticize Russia's legitimate presence in Syria Press TV 06 May 2021 -- Russia has sharply dismissed America's criticism of Moscow's role in Syria, saying the United States, which maintains an illegal presence in the Arab country, is in no position to comment on the Russian presence there, which comes at the request of the legitimate government in Damascus.
Russia Reminds US Its Presence in Syria is Illegal After Washington Charges Moscow With 'Violations' Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Damascus and its allies have repeatedly blasted the US over their illegal occupation of Syrian territory in the country's south and northeast, and have demanded that all foreign military forces not explicitly invited into the country by the Syrian government vacate the Middle Eastern nation immediately, in accordance with international law.
Russian gov't approves bill on quitting Open Skies Treaty People's Daily 06 May 2021 -- The Russian government said Wednesday it has approved a bill on the country's withdrawal from the arms-control Treaty on Open Skies and will submit the document to President Vladimir Putin.
Russian jet wards off US spy plane over Chukchi Sea Press TV 06 May 2021 -- Russia says it dispatched a warplane to intercept a US spy aircraft as it was heading toward Russian airspace over the Chukchi Sea.
Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jet Scrambled to Intercept US Reconnaissance Aircraft Over Sea of Chukotsk Sputnik 06 May 2021 -- Over the past few months, Russia had to scramble jets to intercept numerous American aircraft flying over the Black Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.
Russian 'Foreign Agent' Turns Tables On Officials With Transfer Of Funds RFE/RL 06 May 2021 -- A Russian journalist labeled as a "foreign agent" has turned the tables on several local lawmakers in the northwestern region of Pskov, sending them money to make them associates.
Putin, Erdogan Discuss Joint Production of Sputnik V in Turkey Sputnik 05 May 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed possible production of the coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V at facilities in Turkey with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
G7 To Bolster Efforts To Counter Russia's 'Irresponsible' Behavior RFE/RL 05 May 2021 -- The Group of Seven (G7) advanced democracies has wrapped up its first in-person meeting in more than two years with a pledge to bolster collective efforts to counter Russia's "irresponsible and destabilizing" behavior, but offered little concrete action aside from expressing support for Ukraine.
France summons Russian ambassador over sanctions against EU officials Press TV 05 May 2021 -- Russian Ambassador to France Alexei Meshkov has been summoned to the country's Foreign Ministry over Moscow's decision to impose retaliatory sanctions on a number of European officials.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions during a joint news conference following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine Riyad al-Maliki, Moscow, May 5, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05 May 2021
Moscow Court To Hear Navalny Lawsuit Against Kremlin Spokesman RFE/RL 05 May 2021 -- A Moscow court has agreed to hear a libel lawsuit filed by Aleksei Navalny against Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov over comments he made linking U.S. spies with the jailed opposition politician.
Russia Reports 7,770 New COVID-19 Cases, 337 Deaths SPA 04 May 2021 -- Russia reported 7,770 new COVID-19 cases and 337 deaths during the last 24 hours.
G-7 Foreign Ministers Meet in London as Russia, China Top Agenda VOA 04 May 2021 -- Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized nations are meeting in London this week, with climate change, Russia and China among the challenges topping the agenda. It is the first face-to-face G-7 meeting in two years, after the coronavirus pandemic forced the Pittsburgh 2020 foreign ministers' meeting to be held via video link.
Russia says ready to leave SWIFT, plans to join Iran's Sepam Press TV 04 May 2021 -- Russia says it is preparing to leave US-dominated international payment system SWIFT and pairing with alternative systems, including Iran's electronic financial messaging platform Sepam.
A Siberian Muckraker Exposed Massive Oil Theft. Now Russia Wants To Imprison Him For 11 Years. RFE/RL 04 May 2021 -- From the time Eduard Shmonin was a young man, he always wanted to be a gangster.
Venezuelan President Confirms Fifth Shipment of Russian Sputnik V Vaccine Against COVID-19 Sputnik 03 May 2021 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says his country has received yet another delivery of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.
Russia ready for strategic stability dialogue with US: Foreign ministry Press TV 03 May 2021 -- Russia says it is ready to hold a dialogue on issues of strategic stability with the United States after noticing signals from Washington indicating its readiness in this regard, emphasizing that Moscow will, however, insist on its missile defense concerns.
Answer by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to a RIA Novosti question on the build-up of the United States' global missile defence system and its readiness to discuss the missile defence agenda in a dialogue with Russia Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 May 2021
Russia Ready to Discuss Strategic Stability Issues With US Sputnik 03 May 2021 -- Russia is noticing signals from the United States indicating Washington's readiness to discuss issues of strategic stability and is ready for a dialogue, but will press its missile defence concerns, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik.
U.S.'s Blinken Says If Russia Moves Toward More Stable Relations, 'So Will We' RFE/RL 03 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Washington wants a stable relationship with Moscow but that will depend on Kremlin policies and how aggressively it decides to act.
EU summons Russian ambassador to protest Moscow's retaliatory sanctions Press TV 03 May 2021 -- The European Union has summoned the Russian ambassador to denounce Moscow's decision to impose an entry ban on eight EU officials.
EU Summons Russian Envoy to Condemn Moscow's Entry Ban on European Officials Sputnik 03 May 2021 -- Senior EU officials summoned the Russian ambassador to the bloc, Vladimir Chizhov, on Monday to criticise Moscow's decision to ban eight European citizens from entering the country, in retaliation to similar EU sanctions.
EU Summons Russian Envoy, Condemns Travel Ban On Brussels Officials RFE/RL 03 May 2021 -- The European Union has summoned Russia's ambassador in Brussels to condemn Moscow's retaliatory decision to bar eight of the bloc's officials from entering the country.
Russian Lawyers, Activists Sound Alarm Over State Pressure On Prominent Defense Attorney RFE/RL 03 May 2021 -- When human rights lawyer Karinna Moskalenko learned that fellow attorney Ivan Pavlov had been detained in Moscow, alarm bells rang.
Britain Says G7 To Consider Mechanism To Counter Russian Disinformation RFE/RL 03 May 2021 -- Britain is proposing an international effort to counter Russian propaganda and disinformation, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on May 2.
Russia Says Half A Million Passports Issued In Eastern Ukraine In Last Two Years RFE/RL 02 May 2021 -- Russia's Interior Ministry says that more than 527,000 people in parts of eastern Ukraine where Moscow-backed separatist formations are waging a war against Kyiv have been granted Russian citizenship over the past two years.*
US Secretary of State to Hold Talks in Ukraine About Russian Aggression VOA 02 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken leaves for Europe on Sunday, where he will hold meetings in London and Kyiv.
Russia reports 9,270 new COVID-19 cases, 392 deaths SPA 01 May 2021 -- Russia reported 9,270 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, including 3,208 in Moscow, taking the official national tally since the pandemic began to 4,814,558, according to Reuters.

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May 2021 - Russia Special Weapons News