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Anna Smolchenko
Correspondent for AFP in Moscow.
Russia opens door to diplomacy in Ukraine standoff
While Russia said it was ending some military drills, signalling a possible easing of the crisis, in Washington the alert level remained high – with a top official calling the…
Comedian Zelensky wins Ukraine presidency in landslide
Volodymyr Zelensky, whose only previous political role was playing the president in a TV show, trounced incumbent Petro Poroshenko
Russia loses contact with Angolan satellite
The incident involving the Russian-made Angosat-1 followed a similar one in November when Russia lost contact with a weather satellite
Thousands march over death of Putin critic
Tens of thousands of people marched in central Moscow on Sunday to honour slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down near the Kremlin.
Russia’s falling stock market faces new sanctions
A day after a US ratings agency downgraded ?Russia to "junk" status, the country’s index fell by 3%. Russia could also face new sanctions.
Russia prepares to cut Ukraine’s gas after talks fail
Europe could face gas supply disruptions after Ukraine failed to broker an 11th-hour deal with Russia.
Russians brave cold in bid to oust Putin
Tens of thousands of Russians are set to march through Moscow, braving freezing temperatures to challenge Vladimir Putin’s grip on power.
Russia rocked by renewed mass anti-Putin rally
Russia came to terms with its second mass opposition rally within a month which was even bigger and more sharply critical of strongman Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin panel urges new polls, firing of election chief
In a damning statement, the Kremlin’s rights panel has called for the resignation of Russia’s election chief and snap parliamentary elections.
Medvedev wants new term, but won’t compete with Putin
President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday added to the uncertainty surrounding Russia’s 2012 presidential polls, saying he wanted a second term.
Flying donkey’ shocks Russian holidaymakers
A donkey attached to a parasail and sent soaring above the beaches of southern Russia has stunned holidaymakers and prompted a police enquiry.
Russia ventures back to Africa
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev embarks on a tour of Africa this week in a drive to reassert Moscow’s clout in a former Soviet sphere of influence.
Russia, Ukraine face New Year gas showdown
Russia is heading towards another New Year’s showdown with the embattled Ukrainian government over its failure to pay off gas debts.