Other Sources, Russia and former Soviet Union

Lithuania begins nuclear reactor shutdown VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania has begun shutting down a Soviet-build nuclear reactor as part of its agreement with the European Union.
Dec 31, 2009 at 19:46
Putin hopes U.S.-Russia ties will improve in 2010 MOSCOW, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he hoped for improved relations with the United States in 2010, days after his attack on U.S. missile defence plans displayed the fragility of efforts to draw closer.
Dec 31, 2009 at 19:42 | Reuters
Moscow police detain prominent rights activist MOSCOW (AP) — Moscow police have detained dozens of people at an anti-Kremlin protest, including a prominent rights activist.
Dec 31, 2009 at 19:32
Gazprom cuts gas output to 461 billion cubic meters in 2009 from 549.7 billion cubic meters in 2008 Gazprom produced "approximately 461 billion cubic meters" of gas in 2009, down from 549.7 bcm in 2010, the Russian gas giant's spokesman, Sergei Kupriyanov, said live on the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
Dec 31, 2009 at 19:27 | Interfax-Ukraine
At least 10 detained in central Moscow for unauthorized protest The police have started detaining the most active participants in an unauthorized protest action after numerous warnings that the action in Moscow's Triumfalnaya Square is unauthorized.
Dec 31, 2009 at 19:16 | Interfax-Ukraine
Father Frost, OMON come to Moscow's Triumfalnaya Square Father Frost and several dozens of OMON servicemen are staying on Triumfalnaya Square in downtown Moscow, where the opposition plans to hold an unauthorized rally.
Dec 31, 2009 at 17:15 | Interfax-Ukraine
No New Year's toasts in sauna, Russians urged MOSCOW, Dec 31 (Reuters Life!) - Russia has urged revellers celebrating the New Year in saunas on Thursday night to refrain from popping open the champagne until they have left the steam houses, warning it could prove fatal.
Dec 31, 2009 at 17:04 | Interfax-Ukraine
Update: Moscow confirms capture of three Russian sailors by Somali pirates Somali pirates have captured three Russian citizens - crewmembers of the St James Park chemical tanker, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Dec 31, 2009 at 16:52 | Interfax-Ukraine
Moscow confirms capture of three Russian sailors by Somali pirates Moscow, December 31 (Interfax) - Somali pirates have captured three Russian citizens - crewmembers of the St James Park chemical tanker, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Dec. 31.
Dec 31, 2009 at 14:36 | Interfax-Ukraine
Foreign Policy: Putin spoiling Obama's nuclear plans? Vladimir Putin deliberately threw a wrench into U.S.-Russian negotiations over a follow-on to the START nuclear reductions treatywhen he explicitly linked the issue to U.S. missile-defense plans. Read the story here.
Dec 31, 2009 at 14:05
Belarus toughens Internet controls Belarus' authoritarian leader promised Wednesday to toughen regulation of the Internet its users in an apparent effort to exert control over the last fully free medium in the former Soviet state.
Dec 30, 2009 at 19:02
Twenty six Russian sailors will see in New Year in pirates' captivity Twenty-six Russian sailors will most likely see in the New Year in Somali pirates' captivity, the online Maritime Bulletin said on Dec. 30.
Dec 30, 2009 at 18:37 | Interfax-Ukraine
Russia may send spacecraft to knock away asteroid MOSCOW (AP) — Russia is considering sending a spacecraft to a large asteroid to knock it off its path and prevent a possible collision with Earth, the head of the country's space agency said Dec. 30.
Dec 30, 2009 at 17:08
Putin: Russia to have about 9% inflation in 2009 Moscow, December 30 (Interfax) - Russia will have approximately 9% inflation in 2009, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at today's government meeting.
Dec 30, 2009 at 16:52 | Interfax-Ukraine
Russian Foreign Ministry: Presence of Russians aboard tanker seized unconfirmed Moscow, December 30 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry so far cannot confirm that Russian citizens are on board a tanker recently hijacked by Somali pirates.
Dec 30, 2009 at 12:22 | Interfax-Ukraine