Russia

Police officers walk near the Basmanny District Court in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Politics over intelligence: Crocus Hall shooting in Moscow raises security concerns

Russia is mourning the deadly attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow, on Friday, March 22. Despite many unanswered questions about the attack, the Kremlin is already forming a narrative that will likely have severe political and security implications. 

Politics over intelligence: Crocus Hall shooting in Moscow raises security concerns
A US Abrams Tank is part of NATO military excercises at the Ādaži military base, outside of Riga, Latvia.

‘We have to prepare’: NATO conducts biggest military exercises since Cold War

‘We have to prepare’: NATO conducts biggest military exercises since Cold War
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during an interview with a Russian state-owned media organization in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Russians have 'limited ability' to monitor a presidential election that favors Putin. Some are still trying.

Russians have 'limited ability' to monitor a presidential election that favors Putin. Some are still trying.
Bohdan Danyliv is the drone project coordinator with the Prytula Foundation, a Kyiv-based non-profit that helps provide equipment for the Ukrainian military.

'War of drones': Ukrainians step up drone production in fight against Russia

'War of drones': Ukrainians step up drone production in fight against Russia
Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland speaking at a Senate Committee hearing

What options does the US have following Navalny's death?

What options does the US have following Navalny's death?
These students are in a classroom within Kharkiv's underground school system, which launched to protect students from Russian attacks in a city by the frontlines.

These Ukrainian students attend an underground school to protect them from Russian strikes

Life for children across Ukraine has changed significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion, almost two years ago. When air raid sirens go off, students are forced to run to bomb shelters. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, air raid sirens are more frequent because of the city’s proximity to the Russian border. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports from a local underground school in Kharkiv.

These Ukrainian students attend an underground school to protect them from Russian strikes
Serhiy Ivanov is a goalkeeper with Ukraine's first amputee soccer club. 

‘Keep on living’: Wounded vets in Ukraine establish first amputee soccer club

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost exactly two years ago, the city of Lviv has become a rehabilitation hub for soldiers injured in the war, including many who have lost a limb. As some complete their recovery, they are eager to get back into sports. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports from a soccer practice in Lviv.

‘Keep on living’: Wounded vets in Ukraine establish first amputee soccer club
vigil with candles

Russian lawyer Alexei Navalny, who was clear-eyed about the dangers in prison, has died

The World's Carolyn Beeler talks with Michael McFaul, a former ambassador to Russia and friend of Navalny's, about what his death means for the country and for his family.

Russian lawyer Alexei Navalny, who was clear-eyed about the dangers in prison, has died
A bald-headed man buries his face in a Ukraine flag and cell phone

‘I think they did this to break our will': Freed Ukrainian POW tells his story

Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov is from the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. A few months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he was captured by Russian forces. He spent the next 20 months in Russian captivity. Now he's back in Ukraine after being released in the biggest prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Lviv.

‘I think they did this to break our will': Freed Ukrainian POW tells his story
children and woman with a mic onstage

Latvian conference takes on issue of Russia kidnapping Ukrainian children

​​​​​​​Over the course of nearly two years Russia has committed countless violations, crimes, and atrocities in Ukraine. However, as of now, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for only one crime of “deportation of children from Ukrainian occupied territories into the Russian Federation.” The issue of kidnapping Ukrainian children is ongoing, as thousands of kids are still in Russia, separated from their families and their homes.

Latvian conference takes on issue of Russia kidnapping Ukrainian children
Military gear compiled on ground

NATO launches largest military exercises since the Cold War

This week, NATO launched its largest military exercise since the Cold War. The military drills are taking place across Germany, Poland and the Baltics and will continue through May. European officials and military leaders have warned that if Russia’s military isn’t stopped in Ukraine, a NATO country could be targeted next.

NATO launches largest military exercises since the Cold War
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Russian Orthodox Archbishop of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk Foma (Nikolay Mosolov), left, pose for a photo with the families of military personnel who died in combat.

Russia cites ‘traditional values’ as justification for war with Ukraine

In recent weeks Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion nearly two years ago, the Kremlin has justified the war with a list of dubious explanations, including the need to protect “traditional values” under assault from the West. 

Russia cites ‘traditional values’ as justification for war with Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, listens to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu after their meeting with the top military brass in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

Putin preps for presidential reelection campaign amid ongoing war

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s political party has unanimously nominated him to be their presidential candidate for the upcoming election in March 2024. The nomination comes amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, heavy political repression and heightened censorship. 

Putin preps for presidential reelection campaign amid ongoing war
Portrait of Alsu Kurmasheva,  a Russian-American journalist, who is wearing a purple sweater.

American journalist detained in Russia

Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was detained in October in Russia’s Tatarstan region. Officials there have accused her of failing to register as a “foreign agent;” however, it’s widely believed that she was arrested because she’s a US citizen.

American journalist detained in Russia
Pussy Riot feminist activist collective, from left to right, Alina Petrova, Diana Burkot, Masha Alyokhina, Olga Borisova.

A conversation with Russian protest group Pussy Riot

There are many Russian critics of the war in Ukraine. Those inside Russia generally keep quiet, while others are silenced through imprisonment. Others have left the country, including the four members of the feminist activist collective Pussy Riot. The World's Marco Werman speaks to one member of the group.

A conversation with Russian protest group Pussy Riot