Section: Voice of America (USA)
Russia Pushes Patriotic Ringtones for Putin
Russia is kicking off a national campaign to ramp up morale ahead of Victory Day, that allows citizens to download patriotic war songs for free ringtones and express their national pride with their mobile devices. The drive comes as Russia suffers a recession spurred by low oil prices and sanctions imposed by the West for the conflict in Ukraine,...
Bulgaria Key Battleground in US-Russia Energy War
As the U.S. wages a high-profile campaign against Russia over Ukraine, it is also battling Kremlin-dominance on another front – energy in Eastern Europe. NATO member Bulgaria, which relies on Russia for 85 percent of its natural gas and all its nuclear fuel, is on the frontline of this confrontation. “For Russia, energy has always been a...
German Doctors Assess Jailed Ukraine Pilot on Hunger Strike
German doctors have been allowed to visit Ukrainian military pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who has been on hunger strike for more than two months in a Russian jail, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday. Savchenko, 33, was captured by pro-Russian forces and handed over eight months ago to Russia, where she was imprisoned on charges of...
Russia Pressures Anti-Corruption Group
The global anti-corruption group Transparency International is once again getting pressured by the Kremlin. The move is seen by Russia analysts as part of a broad plan to stifle criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration. Russian prosecutors recently warned TI’s Russian branch, which has been active for more than...
Ukraine’s Military: Rebel Attacks Preventing Weapons Pullback
Ukraine’s military says it cannot begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the frontlines in the country’s east in accordance with a cease-fire deal, because pro-Russian rebels are still carrying out attacks. Officials said Monday there can be no talk of withdrawing weapons as long as the attacks continue. On Sunday, both sides agreed to...
Putin Supporters Hold ‘Anti-Maidan’ March in Moscow
As Ukraine marks the one-year anniversary of the “Euro-Maidan” uprising clashes that toppled its Russia-leaning president, thousands of demonstrators in Moscow held what they called an “Anti-Maidan” march. Thousands of protesters in Moscow Saturday demonstrated against last year’s uprising in Ukraine and in support of Russian President...
Ukraine, Rebels Agree to Begin Withdrawing Weapons
Military officials said both sides in Ukraine’s conflict have agreed to pull back their heavy weapons from the frontlines in eastern Ukraine; a positive sign for the implementation of a peace plan that has been violated repeatedly. The officials said the pro-Russian rebels signed an agreement to complete the withdrawal over the next two...
Russian Loyalists Hold ‘Anti-Maidan’ March in Moscow
As Ukraine marks the one-year anniversary of the Euromaidan uprising that toppled its Russia-leaning president, thousands of demonstrators in Moscow on Saturday held what they called an “anti-Maidan” march. The protesters said their goal is to prevent a similar uprising from happening in Russia. VOA’s Daniel Schearf reports. …read...
A Year After Fleeing Ukraine, Yanukovich Speaks of Return
Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, who fled to Russia a year ago after being toppled by months of street protests, said he was ready to return to Ukraine if the opportunity arose. The pro-Russian leader was overthrown by the “Maidan” uprising in Kyiv against his decision to back away from a deal that would have taken the...
Pro-Russia, Anti-Ukraine Rally Held in Moscow
Russians have gathered in a central square in Moscow for what they call an “anti-Maidan” rally, vowing to prevent a pro-Western uprising like the one that took place in Ukraine’s capital a year ago. Thousands of pro-Kremlin demonstrators turned out for Saturday’s rally, voicing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin...
