https://www.rferl.org/z/666 RFE/RL's latest news, features, commentary, and multimedia content on Russia https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/666 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:17:25 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL Ukrainian drones hit the large Russian Black Sea oil facility terminals at Tuapse for the third time in 12 days, sparking another billowing fire and prompting evacuations. https://www.rferl.org/a/tuapse-russian-oil-port-fire-drone-strike/33744191.html https://www.rferl.org/a/tuapse-russian-oil-port-fire-drone-strike/33744191.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:03:34 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Ukrainian interceptor drone units are working to counter Russia’s growing use of aerial threats along the front line. Tasked with tracking and destroying both reconnaissance and strike UAVs, these teams operate under constant pressure as drones fly higher and faster. https://www.rferl.org/a/inside-ukraine-s-drone-hunters-targeting-russian-uavs/33743632.html https://www.rferl.org/a/inside-ukraine-s-drone-hunters-targeting-russian-uavs/33743632.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:02:45 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced strong support for Iran in its conflict with the United States as he greeted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi for talks in St Petersburg on April 27. https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-iran-strategic-relationship-araqchi-russia/33743629.html https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-iran-strategic-relationship-araqchi-russia/33743629.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:31:22 +0200 NewsIranRussiaThe Rundown Stories The photos of the emaciated soldiers circulated widely, along with complaints from angry relatives, prompting the removal of the unit’s commander. Four-plus years into war with Russia, it’s the latest controversy highlighting some of Ukraine’s continuing problems with logistics and manpower. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-brigade-food-water-hungry/33743556.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-brigade-food-water-hungry/33743556.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:57:02 +0200 UkraineFeaturesRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories US President Donald Trump said that Tehran "can call us" if it wants to talk, but he added that it must give up any plans to build a nuclear weapon or "there's no reason to meet." https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-pakistan-russia-putin-araqchi-ceasefire/33742897.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-pakistan-russia-putin-araqchi-ceasefire/33742897.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:53 +0200 IranNewsRussiaThe Rundown Stories Armenia’s ambition to position itself as a transit hub between Asia and Europe is running up against a structural constraint: its rail network remains under the control of Russian Railways, a state company under Western sanctions. https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-wants-in-on-asia-europe-trade-russian-rail-control-stands-in-the-way/33738123.html https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-wants-in-on-asia-europe-trade-russian-rail-control-stands-in-the-way/33738123.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:56:27 +0200 ArmeniaFeaturesRussiaThe Rundown Stories Ukraine’s president lashed out at Russia, accusing it of “nuclear terrorism,” as Kyiv observed the 40th anniversary of the explosion at the Chernobyl power plant, the world’s worst civilian atomic disaster. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-zelenskyy-chernobyl-nuclear-accident/33742727.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-zelenskyy-chernobyl-nuclear-accident/33742727.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:56:35 +0200 NewsBelarusRussiaUkraineThe Rundown Stories A major Russian overnight air attack on ​Ukraine killed at least seven people and injured dozens more, targeting Dnipro and other areas across the country. More than 660 drones and missiles were launched, the majority shot down, according to the Ukrainian military. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-dnipro-kyiv-russia-drone-strike-deadly-eu/33742322.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-dnipro-kyiv-russia-drone-strike-deadly-eu/33742322.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:06:01 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories While officials in Tehran have long emphasized self-reliance, experts say battlefield evidence points to a far more interconnected war effort, reflecting deepening partnerships that have helped Iran replenish its military, improve targeting, and blunt Western operations during the conflict. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-russia-china-war-cooperation-support/33741900.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-russia-china-war-cooperation-support/33741900.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:52:17 +0200 IranFeaturesRussiaThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle EastChina Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has touted the creation of 175 “museums” inside schools in the Russian capital dedicated to the invasion of Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-invasion-moscow-school-war-museums/33741672.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-invasion-moscow-school-war-museums/33741672.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:32:52 +0200 RussiaNewsFeaturesUkrainePicksRussia Invades Ukraine Oil-contaminated rain and heavy smog have blanketed the Russian port city of Tuapse after Ukrainian drone strikes hit nearby oil facilities. Residents report black droplets falling from the sky and air that is difficult to breathe, despite authorities saying the situation is under control. https://www.rferl.org/a/burning-russian-refinery-triggers-environmental-crisis-in-tuapse/33741860.html https://www.rferl.org/a/burning-russian-refinery-triggers-environmental-crisis-in-tuapse/33741860.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:00:56 +0200 RussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia for security talks, marking his second visit to the region since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran, now under cease-fire, as Russia continued to pound Ukraine with deadly strikes. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-saudi-arabia-iran-drone-attacks-odesa/33741811.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-saudi-arabia-iran-drone-attacks-odesa/33741811.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:45:08 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East The European Union has stripped the Venice Biennale of a 2 million-euro ($2.3 million) grant after organizers of the prestigious contemporary art exhibition allowed Russia to participate in this year’s event. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-venice-biennale-art-war/33741489.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-venice-biennale-art-war/33741489.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:44:24 +0200 RussiaNewsRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Some analysts argue there’s a hidden struggle going on in the Kremlin between security structures and economic interests. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-politics-rift-putin-influencer-internet-economy/33740904.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-politics-rift-putin-influencer-internet-economy/33740904.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:21:49 +0200 RussiaFeaturesThe Rundown Headline In a political climate where bipartisan unity is increasingly unique, a consensus is forming among US lawmakers and foreign policy heavyweights: the relationship between Moscow and Tehran has moved far beyond diplomatic convenience. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-russia-ukraine-partnership/33737935.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-russia-ukraine-partnership/33737935.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:38:33 +0200 News AnalysisIranRussiaUkraineThe Rundown Headline European Union ambassadors have given a green light to a 90 billion euros ($106 billion) loan for Ukraine for this and next year, after Hungary and Slovakia lifted their vetoes following the resumption of operations on the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline. https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-loan-ukraine-aid-package-druzhba-hungary-slovakia/33737963.html https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-loan-ukraine-aid-package-druzhba-hungary-slovakia/33737963.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:30:04 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown StoriesEurope Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has responded on social media to crude insults made by a bombastic Russian state TV host, writing that "these caricatures certainly won't make us change course." https://www.rferl.org/a/italian-pm-meloni-russian-tv-solovyov-wild-beast/33737895.html https://www.rferl.org/a/italian-pm-meloni-russian-tv-solovyov-wild-beast/33737895.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:57:34 +0200 NewsRussiaThe Rundown StoriesEurope First-person-view (FPV) drones controlled via fiber-optic cables have proved nearly impossible to counter since emerging in 2024 in the war in Ukraine. But recent battlefield images suggest both Russia and Ukraine have developed systems that may offer an answer to the threat. https://www.rferl.org/a/anti-drone-technology-russia-invasion-ukraine-elka-fpv-threat/33737266.html https://www.rferl.org/a/anti-drone-technology-russia-invasion-ukraine-elka-fpv-threat/33737266.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:24:30 +0200 UkraineFeaturesRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Russia’s economy is screeching to a halt. The woman who’s been instrumental in keeping it on track throughout the war on Ukraine is Elvira Nabiullina, the Central Bank chief for over almost 13 years. Watch closely to see if her tenure may be coming to an end. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-economics-central-bank-nabiullina/33737247.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-economics-central-bank-nabiullina/33737247.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:22:15 +0200 RussiaFeaturesRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Russian forces are pressing closer to Kostyantynivka, one of Ukraine's remaining strongholds in the eastern Donetsk region, but forces defending the city say they're holding firm. One Ukrainian drone unit is battling Russian incursions, including soldiers traveling by horse to evade detection. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kostyantynivka-drones-horses-front-lines/33736578.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kostyantynivka-drones-horses-front-lines/33736578.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:54:30 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories