https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:20:30 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL As the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to impact and shape the region, journalists from RFE/RL's Central Newsroom and Iranian service, Radio Farda, deliver ongoing updates and analysis. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:30:00 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early on July 6, blasting residential buildings and killing at least 10 people, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of an impending Russian strike. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-zelenskyy-russia-attack-nato-putin/33797564.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-zelenskyy-russia-attack-nato-putin/33797564.html Mon, 06 Jul 2026 03:01:26 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories US President Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of this week's NATO summit in Ankara, the White House announced on July 5, as Washington seeks to revive stalled diplomacy over Russia's war while pressing European allies to take greater responsibility for the continent's defense. https://www.rferl.org/a/33797244.html https://www.rferl.org/a/33797244.html Sun, 05 Jul 2026 21:19:27 +0200 Russia Invades UkraineNewsRussiaUkraineWider Europe WASHINGTON – As NATO leaders prepare for a pivotal July 7-8 summit in Ankara amid Russia's war against Ukraine and renewed tensions in the Middle East, former US Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) James Gilmore says the alliance is undergoing a difficult but ultimately strengthening transformation rather than entering a period of decline. In an interview with RFE/RL, Gilmore, who served during President Donald Trump's first administration, argues... https://www.rferl.org/a/33797187.html https://www.rferl.org/a/33797187.html Sun, 05 Jul 2026 17:19:04 +0200 FeaturesNewsIranRussiaUkraineRussia Invades Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Kremlin said President Donald Trump spoke separately with the Ukrainian and Russian leaders as efforts to end the war remained stalled, with Kyiv and Moscow deadlocked over key issues. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-zelenskyy-putin-ukraine-russia-war/33797094.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-zelenskyy-putin-ukraine-russia-war/33797094.html Sun, 05 Jul 2026 14:07:26 +0200 UkraineNewsRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was absent as funeral prayers for his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were held early on July 5, more than four months after he was killed during US-Israeli strikes at the outset of the war in the Middle East. https://www.rferl.org/a/mojtaba-khamenei-absent-ali-khamenei-funeral/33797118.html https://www.rferl.org/a/mojtaba-khamenei-absent-ali-khamenei-funeral/33797118.html Sun, 05 Jul 2026 12:48:20 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline Russia and Ukraine made conflicting battoefield claims on July 4, with Moscow insisting it had captured the key eastern city of Kostyantynivka and Kyiv rejecting the assertion. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-sumy-bomb-attack/33796590.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-sumy-bomb-attack/33796590.html Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:13:53 +0200 UkraineNewsRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Ukraine’s drone campaign on Russian gasoline refineries is wreaking havoc, leading to nationwide shortages, fraying tempers, and mounting headaches for the Kremlin. On the battlefield, however, Ukraine’s troops face a grim fight. Look at what’s happening in Kostyantynivka. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-donbas-war-kostyantynivka-/33795647.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-donbas-war-kostyantynivka-/33795647.html Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:02:02 +0200 UkraineFeaturesRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories As NATO leaders prepare to gather for next week's summit, a group of senior European conservative lawmakers visited Washington with a message they hope will resonate inside the Trump administration: Support for Ukraine and concern over Iran are not mutually exclusive. https://www.rferl.org/a/europe-conservatives-ukraine-iran-trump-nato/33796570.html https://www.rferl.org/a/europe-conservatives-ukraine-iran-trump-nato/33796570.html Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:59:36 +0200 NewsIranUkraineThe Rundown Stories Aleksandar Vucic has announced his resignation in the "coming weeks." Burdened by almost two years of student-led protests, is Serbia's most powerful political figure under too much pressure or is this a calculated political play with another top job in sight? https://www.rferl.org/a/vucic-resignation-protests-election/33795670.html https://www.rferl.org/a/vucic-resignation-protests-election/33795670.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:09:36 +0200 SerbiaVideosThe Rundown Stories Kyiv residents mourned those killed in a Russian overnight attack on July 2 that marked one of the biggest strikes on the Ukrainian capital this year and left at least 30 people dead and nearly 100 more injured. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-kyiv-attack/33795616.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-kyiv-attack/33795616.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:35:12 +0200 UkraineRussiaPhoto GalleriesRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories The body of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was laid in state in Tehran on July 3 as authorities began a week of funeral processions for the slain cleric. https://www.rferl.org/a/mixed-feelings-iranians-khamenei-iran-funeral/33795536.html https://www.rferl.org/a/mixed-feelings-iranians-khamenei-iran-funeral/33795536.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:35:53 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline Shipments of bananas to St. Petersburg sometimes conceal a contraband cargo: cocaine. A Systema investigation finds that two companies with roles in the delivery and further distribution of the fruit are controlled by Russians with ties to longtime associates of President Vladimir Putin. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-cocaine-bananas-smuggling/33794959.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-cocaine-bananas-smuggling/33794959.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:57:25 +0200 RussiaFeaturesThe Rundown Stories As Washington debates whether the recent cease-fire with Iran reflects strategic restraint or strategic drift, retired US Colonel David Des Roches says the broader trajectory of the conflict tells a different story. https://www.rferl.org/a/david-des-roches-iran-us-war-hormuz/33795511.html https://www.rferl.org/a/david-des-roches-iran-us-war-hormuz/33795511.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:13:55 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Iran's government is preparing a multiday funeral ceremony for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in US and Israeli strikes in February. But many Iranians are not mourning his loss, and are instead sharing complex reactions to the death of a man who led an oppressive theocratic regime. https://www.rferl.org/a/as-iran-prepares-elaborate-funeral-for-khamenei-many-recall-a-brutal-leader/33795397.html https://www.rferl.org/a/as-iran-prepares-elaborate-funeral-for-khamenei-many-recall-a-brutal-leader/33795397.html Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:51:36 +0200 VideosIranVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories Russia carried out one of its largest attacks on Ukraine’s capital this year, reigniting demands in Washington and Europe for tougher military and economic measures against Moscow. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-russia-washington-europe-nato/33795007.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-russia-washington-europe-nato/33795007.html Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:48:15 +0200 NewsUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories In a video captured in the Russian city of Penza, women sob as their loved ones are loaded into a van by recruitment officers, apparently after the men were forced into signing military contracts. Similar reports have emerged from several Russian regions in recent weeks. https://www.rferl.org/a/stealing-our-husbands-russians-say-relatives-seized-off-streets-in-latest-recruitment-push-/33794872.html https://www.rferl.org/a/stealing-our-husbands-russians-say-relatives-seized-off-streets-in-latest-recruitment-push-/33794872.html Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:49:22 +0200 VideosRussiaVideo Archive Small numbers of high-end German-designed SUVs are being assembled at a plant in Kaliningrad despite BMW pulling out of Russia days after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/bmw-russia-unlicensed-production-kaliningrad-luxury-sanctions/33794826.html https://www.rferl.org/a/bmw-russia-unlicensed-production-kaliningrad-luxury-sanctions/33794826.html Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:41:58 +0200 RussiaFeaturesRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories At least 17 people were killed and more than 80 injured, including children, in overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, on July 2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned that Russia was preparing a massive strike. https://www.rferl.org/a/deadly-overnight-russian-strike-hits-kyiv/33794697.html https://www.rferl.org/a/deadly-overnight-russian-strike-hits-kyiv/33794697.html Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:20:41 +0200 UkraineRussia Invades Ukraine Over more than four years of all-out war, Russia has used financial incentives, coercion, and threats to keep up the flow of men to fight in Ukraine. Now recruiters are increasingly forcing men to sign contracts to fight. That could be major problem for the Kremlin. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war-forced-recruitment-personnel/33794661.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war-forced-recruitment-personnel/33794661.html Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:44:34 +0200 RussiaFeaturesUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories