The Latest Breaking News from Moscow

Explainer-Bakhmut: Why Russia and Ukraine are battling so hard for one small city

Over 90% of its residents have fled, much of it lies in ruins, tens of thousands have been killed, and its strategic importance has been played down by the Pentagon and NATO chiefs. Yet Russia and Ukraine are still battling for the small city of Bakhmut.

Reuters · Apr 6, 2023

Finland’s long-held neutrality is over. What next?

Russia has sounded the alarm, but analysts say a Moscow-Helsinki conflict is unlikely.

Al Jazeera · Apr 6, 2023

Kremlin: Putin and Lukashenko did not discuss placement of strategic nuclear weapons - Interfax

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not discuss the placement in Belarus of Russian strategic nuclear weapons - meaning intercontinental ballistic missiles - in talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Interfax agency.

Reuters · Apr 6, 2023

Kremlin: Nuclear deployment to Belarus is response to NATO expansion

The Kremlin on Wednesday defended its decision to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, rejecting criticism of the move by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Reuters · Apr 6, 2023

Ukraine may be willing to hold talks on Crimea, suggests Zelenskiy adviser

Andriy Sybiha expresses Kyiv’s interest in negotiations with Moscow should Ukrainian forces reach region

The Guardian - UK · Apr 6, 2023

Moscow court to hear appeal from jailed American reporter on April 18 - Interfax

A Moscow court will consider an appeal by lawyers of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich to lift his pre-trial detention on April 18, the Interfax news agency reported, citing the court's press service.

Reuters · Apr 6, 2023

IOC Opposes Ukraine Sanctions on Sport Governing Bodies

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Wednesday that it would oppose a move by the Ukrainian government to strip national sports governing bodies of their national status if their athletes compete against Russians or Belarusians. The IOC sanctioned Russia and Belarus after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 6, 2023

‘Afraid for his life’: Defector reveals depths of Putin’s paranoia

An ex-Russian security officer has given rare insight into Vladimir Putin's "pathological" fear for his life and his "distorted" grip on reality.

The New Daily · Apr 5, 2023

Putin opens talks with Belarus leader, no public mention of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko to Moscow on Wednesday for two days of talks, but in their opening public remarks both men steered clear of the war in Ukraine.

Reuters · Apr 5, 2023

Church accused of Moscow ties expelled from two parishes in western Ukraine

A Ukrainian branch of the Orthodox church accused of ties with Russia was expelled from the premises of two places of worship on Wednesday amid rising public anger against the organisation 14 months into Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters · Apr 5, 2023