Top News, Russia and former Soviet Union


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
Reporter with Kyrgyz television killed in Kazakhstan ALMATY, Dec 28 (Reuters) - A reporter who covered the murder of a leading Kyrgyz opposition journalist this month was found dead in Kazakhstan over the weekend, police said on Monday.
Dec 28, 2009 at 18:59 | Reuters
Reactor shutdown opens door to Russian plans VISAGINAS, Lithuania (AP) — To the European Union, Lithuania's Soviet-built nuclear power plant is a gigantic safety hazard that needs to finally shut down this New Year's Eve.
Dec 23, 2009 at 10:38
Russia Communists: Don't slight Stalin on his birthday MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian Communist Party asked the nation for a daylong moratorium on criticizing Soviet dictator Josef Stalin as they celebrate his 130th birthday
Dec 22, 2009 at 09:05
Georgia demolishes Soviet memorial, angering Russia TBILISI, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Diggers tore into a Soviet World War Two memorial in Georgia onDec. 17to make way for a new parliament in the former Soviet republic, angering Russia and opponents of pro-Western President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Dec 17, 2009 at 18:51 | Reuters
NATO chief hopes for Russian help in Afghanistan MOSCOW (AP) — NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he has received positive signals but no concrete pledges yet on possible Russian help to the alliance's efforts in Afghanistan.
Dec 17, 2009 at 11:44
Medvedev: Changing Ukraine gas deals 'irresponsible' MOSCOW, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Dec. 9 said it would be "irresponsible" to change existing gas supply contracts between Russia and Ukraine.
Dec 9, 2009 at 13:06 | Reuters
Putin: Will consider running for president in 2012 In an electric four-hour solo performance on live television, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he will think about whether to reclaim the presidency — one of the strongest signals yet that he may run again for Russia's top office in 2012.
Dec 3, 2009 at 21:12
Russia's Putin calls for balanced assessment of Stalin MOSCOW, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called for a balanced assessment of Soviet leader Josef Stalin on Dec. 3, saying his legacy was not all positive or all negative.
Dec 3, 2009 at 16:08 | Reuters
Putin tells Russians: I am not leaving politics MOSCOW, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin onDec. 3ruled out leaving Russian politics, telling a questioner asking about his departure: "Do not hold your breath".
Dec 3, 2009 at 14:37 | Reuters
UPDATE: Putin demands tough measures for Russian train bombers MOSCOW, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said onDec. 3a train bombing that killed 26 people last week showed the threat to Russia from militant rebel groups was very high.
Dec 3, 2009 at 12:21 | Reuters
Chechen rebels claim Russian train bombing Chechen rebels claimed responsibility Wednesday for blowing up a high-speed Russian train last week, an attack that killed 26 people, injured scores of others and raised fears of a fresh wave of terror attacks.
Dec 2, 2009 at 22:36
AP Exclusive: Letters tell of Moscow prison ordeal MOSCOW (AP) — The letters are neatly folded and written on soft white paper in a confident, elegant hand. They tell a story of horror in the bowels of the Russian prison system, a saga set against the backdrop of the world of multibillion-dollar investment funds in Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Dec 2, 2009 at 11:34
Islamists claim responsibility for Russian rail bomb MOSCOW, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Islamist militants on Dec. 2 claimed responsibility for a bomb that derailed a Russian high-speed train killing 26 people, according to the website KavkazCenter.com.
Dec 2, 2009 at 11:03 | Reuters