Russia

• October 17, 2026

  Russia Pounds Ukraine With Missiles And Hundreds Of Drones

  RFE/RL correspondent Serhiy Horbatenko reports from Slovyansk after a residential building was hit in a Russian strike.

• October 17, 2026

  Kasparov Says Talks With Putin Pointless, War Is 'Ideological Basis' Of His Rule

  Russian Chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov tells RFE/RL Putin is set on “liquidating Ukraine” and will not concessions. Slamming a proposed US deal to buy Russian diesel, Kasparov said that if Ukraine wins the war Putin will fall – giving a chance for democracy in Russia.

• October 17, 2026

  Russia's Deadly Attacks Damage Homes, Energy Sites In Ukraine As Kyiv Says Starlink Restrictions Continue

  Russia continued to pound Ukraine with missiles and drones, killing civilians and damaging residential buildings and energy sites, as Kyiv described disruptions to the satellite communications of US company SpaceX, crucial to the country's defense, as a deliberate "operation."

• October 17, 2026

  Trump Waives Graham Act Sanctions On Russia Before They Take Effect

  US President Donald Trump has waived nearly all substantive sanctions, tariffs, and restrictions included in a bipartisan law aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war against Ukraine, prompting sharp criticism from Ukraine advocates and US lawmakers from both parties.

• October 16, 2026

  Russia Still Needs More Soldiers. The Kremlin Is Still Desperate To Avoid Mobilization

  Many Russians feared the Kremlin would order a new mobilization after last month’s elections: to replenish decimated forces fighting in Ukraine. That hasn’t happened. But creative and coercive recruiting tactics – called “quiet” or “creeping” mobilization by some – continue nationwide.

• October 16, 2026

  Interview: Russia's Shadow War On NATO Is 'Bound To Intensify'

  Russia's shadow campaign of drone incursions, sabotage, and assassination attempts in NATO countries has largely backfired by drawing a resolute response but is approaching a "crucial point," Christopher Walker, vice president of the Center for European Policy Analysis, tells RFE/RL.

• October 16, 2026

  Zelenskyy Says US Diesel Deal Will Put Money 'Straight Into Putin's Pocket'

  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has no interest in peace talks and criticized a US deal with Moscow on diesel exports, saying it will hand more money to Moscow to fund its war against his country.

• October 15, 2026

  Trophylab: Hundreds Of Foreign Companies Access Research On Russian Weapons Captured In Ukraine

  A Ukrainian platform that shares captured Russian and North Korean military hardware for “destructive testing” and other research has granted access to 376 foreign companies and agencies since its launch, RFE/RL has learned.

• October 15, 2026

  Interview With Christopher Walker On Russia's Shadow War On NATO

  Christopher Walker, vice president of the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis, speaks to RFE/RL Senior International Correspondent Ray Furlong in Prague on October 14.

• October 15, 2026

  Zelenskyy Vows Refinery Strikes, Expresses Anger At US Intel Disruption

  Ukrainian forces have struck an oil refinery in Russia's Ryazan region, Russian officials said, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would resume attacks on Russian energy facilities and voiced anger over a "dangerous" disruption of satellite intelligence from the United States.

• October 15, 2026

  Russia And The Taliban Are Drawing Closer. What's In It For Both Sides?

  Russia is deepening diplomatic and military cooperation with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, driven by security concerns in Central Asia. But worsening Taliban-Pakistan tensions and questions over the scope of Moscow's assistance are complicating the rapprochement.

• October 14, 2026

  Ukraine Tests AI-Powered Drones As Debate Grows Over Autonomous Weapons

  Ukraine is increasingly using artificial intelligence in drones and other battlefield systems to track, identify, and attack targets. Military officials say humans still remain in control of lethal decisions, but developers warn that fully autonomous weapons are moving closer to reality.

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