Russia

Global News Blog
Russian security firm spots cyber supervirus that tops Stuxnet

Russian Internet security firm Kaspersky Labs says the complexity and targets of the virus – which is infecting computers in Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East – imply its creator is a government.
Global News Blog
Report: Russian intelligence suspects US hand in SuperJet crash

Although aviation experts dismissed Russian intelligence's suspicions of a US hand in the May 9 plane crash in Indonesia, the many unanswered questions about the crash fuel conspiracy theories. 
Global News Blog
Russia claims new missile can overcome missile defenses

Russia says it conducted a successful test of a new missile that is meant to outwit the NATO antimissile shield and has a maximum range of 10,000 miles.
Death of Russian-born boy in US reignites adoption debate

A 9-year-old Russian boy adopted by US parents died in a house fire last week, reminding Russians of several incidents of poor treatment of Russian orphans adopted by Americans.
Global News Blog
NATO: European missile shield 'provisionally operational'

If there is any issue that threatens to derail relations with Russia, it's the issue of missile defense. 
Russians perplexed by Putin's snub of G8. Is it because of protests? Obama?

President Vladimir Putin said he is 'too busy' to attend the G8 summit. But Russians say he's either on edge about recent protests or intends to throw a wrench in the US-Russia 'reset.'
Plane crash in Indonesia upends strategy to put Russian aviation on stronger path (+video)

The Russian Sukhoi SuperJet 100 that went down over Indonesia is seen as the struggling aviation industry's greatest hope. The crash will cast a shadow, even if human error is the cause.
Putin steps up to run a vastly changed Russia (+video)

The powerful protests before and during Vladimir Putin's inauguration today signal the fraying image of a Russia united behind its leader.
On eve of Putin's inauguration, protest and reaction bigger than expected (+video)

Russian police cracked down with tear gas and hundreds of arrests after anti-Putin protesters in Moscow tried to cross a barricaded bridge.
Russia threatens to take aim at NATO's missile defense shield

At a conference in Moscow convened to discuss the NATO missile defense shield, a fierce point of contention between the US and Russia, efforts to find a compromise reached a dead end.
Medvedev's legacy in Russia: small victories in Putin's shadows

Despite making little headway on corruption or human rights, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev did change Russia. 'The ice began to melt and Putin won't be able to refreeze it,' said one expert.
Is Russia's Orthodox Church privileged or persecuted?

The Russian Orthodox Church's ties with the government are facing push back. Church leaders have decried recent incidents, including a punk band's protest inside a church.
Russia urges NATO to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the timeline for a NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. Russia fears a spillover of Islamist militancy into the former Soviet republics on its border.
Brief Russia-West détente on Syria conflict comes to an end (+video)

Russia rejected an invitation to Paris to discuss next steps for Syria, saying that world leaders seemed more intent on helping the rebels than on brokering peace.
Global News Blog
Is Russia now the strongest backer of peace in Syria?

Russia has emerged as a strong backer of Kofi Annan's peace plan for Syria, and is now hammering Western nations for not doing enough to support it.
After election setback, anti-Putin opposition takes struggle to the provinces

The intervention of Moscow's most prominent anti-Putin activists in a city 800 miles from the capital has put a local mayoral race on the national stage.
Russian comments on Syria hint at mounting disapproval of Assad

Russia appears to be running out of patience with Assad's heavy hand, and is preparing to push the Syrian leader for political and humanitarian concessions.
Moscow Ambassador McFaul's 'reset' with Kremlin stumbles

Michael McFaul's appointment as US ambassador to Russia was expected to be a home run, but he has ruffled feathers and the Kremlin is lashing out.
Skyscraper fire reignites controversy over Moscow's building boom (+video)

A major blaze broke out Monday at a Moscow skyscraper under construction. Critics are raising questions about a culture of lax regulation as Moscow pursues a rapid makeover.
Putin ally seeking top economic post is accused of massive corruption

Russia's top anti-corruption blogger has singled out Kremlin official Igor Shuvalov as an example of official corruption that has jumped sharply in the past four years.
Russia to Romney: How could we be your No. 1 enemy?

Mitt Romney's comment has astounded Russians, who acknowledge mixed relations with the US but point to Russia's integration with the international community as proof that they are not foe No. 1.
Obama asks Russia to cut him slack until reelection

On the sidelines of a nuclear security summit today, President Barack Obama asked outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to delay any major moves until after November.
Russia exasperated with US over missile defense

A top Russian defense official today signaled growing frustration with the US, which has refused to provide legal guarantees that a planned missile-defense shield is not directed at Moscow.
Keep Calm
What's behind Russia's involvement in Syria and Iran? National interests.

Russia has spent political and real capital building alliances with Syria and Iran. It's not surprising that Moscow now wants to defend its allies' interests at the bargaining table.
Two vetoes later, Russia says it will now back UN plan on Syria

Russia has steadfastly rejected pressure by the UN Security Council for Syrian President Assad to step aside. It says it will now support a UN resolution supporting a cease-fire, Red Cross access.