Alec Luhn
Chechnya's Islamist Insurgency Rears Its Head Once Again in Deadly Grozny Gunfight
The attack, which left at least 20 dead, may be linked to blowback from Iraq and Syria where hundreds of Chechens and Dagestanis have been fighting with the Islamic State.
Putin's Warships Head to Philippine Sea for Target Practice in Latest Show of Military Might
The Russian president may have left the weekend's G20 summit in Australia early after being browbeaten by Western leaders over Ukraine, but the battle group he took with him has stuck around.
Russia's Media Crackdown Silences Two of its Loudest Critical Voices
The popular Echo of Moscow host Alexander Plyushev and Kommersant editor Mikhail Mikhailin both incurred the wrath of the authorities with their reporting on the Ukraine crisis.
China Is Playing Hardball With Russia Over Two Massive Gas Pipeline Projects
Despite a rosy outlook offered by Vladimir Putin, industry insiders and analysts tell VICE News that all is not well in Russia-China gas relations.
The Synthetic Drug Called Spice Is Ravaging Russia
Spice has killed at least 24 and hospitalized 700 Russians since September. But it's outpacing the law and is very easy to get hold of.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen Leader With a $5M Islamic State Bounty on his Head
As fighters from the Caucasus flock to IS, Putin's man in Grozny will do anything to stop the rekindling of an Islamist insurgency in his fiefdom — even turn off the internet.
Elderly Activist Who Investigated Russian Servicemen in Ukraine Detained on Fraud Charges
Lyudmila Bogatenkova, 73, who has who has long battled extreme hazing and other human rights breaches, was detained on Friday in southern Russia.
Russia's Ruble Hits a New Low Amid Warnings of Recession
Sanctions over the Ukraine crisis have scared investors and encouraged capital flight — but it is plummeting oil prices that have really taken their toll.
Russia Begins Controversial Psychiatric Evaluation of Captured Ukrainian Pilot
In a case that human rights observers call politically motivated, Russian authorities have moved to evaluate the sanity of a female pilot accused of helping kill Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine.
Separatist Leader With Murky Past Cements Control of Crimea
Sergei Aksyonov, rumored to have been a low-level gangster before his sudden political rise, was elected head of the Russian-annexed republic in a unanimous vote.
Ukraine's Ceasefire Is Shot Down in Flames
Kiev forces and pro-Russia rebels had announced a ceasefire. But then a helicopter was downed, killing nine and damaging the peace process.