Putin critic Alexei Navalny jailed for 19 years by Russian court - BBC News

Putin critic Alexei Navalny jailed for 19 years by Russian court – BBC News

Russia’s imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny has told supporters not to lose the will to resist, after his jail term was extended to 19 years. Mr Navalny was found guilty of founding and funding an extremist organisation. He denies the…

Video of Ukraine drone attack on Russian ship in Black Sea - BBC News

Video of Ukraine drone attack on Russian ship in Black Sea – BBC News

Ukraine says it has badly damaged a Russian naval ship in the Black Sea, in a naval drone attack that was captured on video. The assault is said to have taken place near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is…

Leading surgeon trains Ukraine’s doctors to treat war injuries - BBC News

Leading surgeon trains Ukraine’s doctors to treat war injuries – BBC News

Heavy fighting is continuing in the east of Ukraine and the war is taking a terrible toll. Hundreds of Ukrainian troops and civilians are being killed or injured every day, mainly as a result of Russian shelling. Ukraine’s medical services…

“Children buried under rubble” as Russian airstrike hits maternity hospital - BBC News

“Children buried under rubble” as Russian airstrike hits maternity hospital – BBC News

A maternity and children’s hospital in the city of Mariupol has been hit by a Russian air strike, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky said children were trapped under the wreckage. The local authorities said at least…

Ukraine-Russia: Can a new war be avoided? - BBC Newsnight

Ukraine-Russia: Can a new war be avoided? – BBC Newsnight

As talks continue between the UK and Russia, are we heading towards dialogue and de-escalation or is war in Ukraine inevitable? Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog Russia’s foreign minister and his US counterpart have held what they called “frank” talks to…

Kazakhstan violence “fuelled by leadership power struggle” - BBC News

Kazakhstan violence “fuelled by leadership power struggle” – BBC News

The authorities in Kazakhstan say recent violence on the streets, which is said to have claimed dozens of lives, was “an organised attack” on the state. They’ve blamed the unrest on “armed extremists” who they say were trained abroad.  …

“Shoot protesters dead without warning” orders Kazakhstan leader  - BBC News

“Shoot protesters dead without warning” orders Kazakhstan leader – BBC News

The President of Kazakhstan has ordered his security forces to use lethal force on protestors, after days of unrest following a sudden rise in fuel prices.   Russian troops have arrived to support his government.  The US Secretary of State,…

State of emergency in Kazakhstan as President appeals to Russia for help - BBC News

State of emergency in Kazakhstan as President appeals to Russia for help – BBC News

A state of emergency has been declared in Kazakhstan where protests sparked by rising fuel prices have widened into unrest over corruption and authoritarian rule. In the country’s largest city, Almaty, demonstrators seized the airport and stormed government buildings. President…

Russian authorities shut down leading human rights group - BBC News

Russian authorities shut down leading human rights group – BBC News

Russia’s Supreme Court has ordered the closure of Memorial, the country’s most prominent human rights group, which chronicled Stalin-era purges and was a symbol of democratic change after the fall of the Soviet Union. The ban follows a wider crackdown…

Putin demands security guarantees as troops mass on Ukraine border - BBC News

Putin demands security guarantees as troops mass on Ukraine border – BBC News

Vladimir Putin has again insisted that the West must guarantee that NATO won’t expand eastwards or accept Ukraine as a member. He has also rejected claims that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine, despite many thousands of Russian troops massing…