Russia & CIS

Many in Russia believe that what is good for Gazprom is bad for the country. This is not quite true. Yet, what is bad for Gazprom, is bad for Russia, as Gazprom plays a huge role in Russia's economy. Gas production in Russia dropped in 2015 in comparison with 2014. Yet, exports of natural gas from Russia to Europe increased considerably

"This reminds me of a joke that we had in Soviet times. Now we can see something like this happening in relation to Russia and the West. No matter what Russia may do, the West comes up with Savchenko, late Boris Nemtsov, the Crimea referendum, the support for Donetsk and Luhansk and so on," an expert told Pravda.Ru

We are witnessing yet another political circus and crocodile tears for the "poor woman, who was caught in the brutal bone-breaking mill of the Russian system." Savchenko is suspected of the murder of Russian citizens. Moreover, she stated that she had killed Russians before, although "without malice"

According to fleet spokesman, naval infantry and motorized troops with Russia’s Northern Fleet held amphibious assault training drills in the Far North.

Providing strategic deterrence will be the main goal of the upgraded Russian Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack supersonic strategic bomber, according to Dave Majumdar, the defense editor of The National Interest, a US political magazine.

Deputy prime minister of Russia's Republic of Crimea said that Turkish military instructors have gathered in Ukraine's southern region of Kherson, which borders Crimea.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Saturday that Moody's recent decision to place Russia’s government bond rating on review for downgrade reflects the need for the country's budget to be adapted to new, harsher market realities.

Moody’s has placed Russia’s Ba1 government and issuer ratings on review for downgrade, the rating agency said in a statement.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) commended Russia's part in the deliveries of humanitarian aid to besieged areas of war-torn Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

New ARD documentary film is dedicated to current statements by Russian sports officials and politicians, including Sports Minister Mr. Mutko that Russia is complying with demands put forward by WADA and IAAF, according to ARD journalist Hajo Zeppelt.

The results of a poll conducted by research company Populus have shown that Europe is not perceived by Europeans as a major force in the fight against terrorism and, in particular, against Daesh in Syria.

Moscow has rebutted NATO's accusation that Russia was "weaponizing" tmigrant crisis in Europe. Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman Igor Konashenkov dismissed the allegations, stressing that the crisis began long before Russia started its operation in Syria.

Russian military have set up electronic systems, which allows monitoring violations of the ceasefire in Syria.

Four years ago, Vladimir Putin received the support from 63.6 percent of electors (more than 45.6 million people) and took office as President of Russia. The secret of Putin's electoral success is clear. It can be explained with one word only - Crimea. For most people, this is not just a peninsula, but the retrieval of Russia's authority

In an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer shared his impressions of the meeting with the Russian President that took place in early February.

A Chelyabinsk strongman, Elbrus Nigmatullin, has performed a unique stunt of restraining two horses. The amazing 'horse pull' could be a new world record, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Over ten winter sports, including ice-hockey, skiing race, biathlon and winter windsurfing, are on the program of the 2016 International Festival of the North, which opens in Murmansk on March 19, the Sports Committee of the Murmansk Region reported.

Savchenko, 34, is facing charges of complicity in the killing of two Russian reporters during armed conflict in eastern Ukraine in June 2014. Prosecutor demands 23-year prison term for her.

The United States has returned 28 significant historic documents stolen from Russian archives in the early 1990s.