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 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:42:53 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL After recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow’s main oil refinery, Russian media are downplaying the impact of the dramatic attacks. As Current Time's Andrey Cherkasov explains, authorities and pro-Kremlin pundits are calling for a crackdown on people who post videos of burning ruins online. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-moscow-kremlin-media-internet-videos-downplay/33786444.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-moscow-kremlin-media-internet-videos-downplay/33786444.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:48:50 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine Iranian-born author Marjane Satrapi, who wrote the hit graphic novel Persepolis, was laid to rest on June 19 in Paris amid tributes honoring her work. Her graphic novel was later adapted into a Cannes-winning animated film.  https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-france-marjane-satrapi-funeral-persepolis-radiation-cannes-human-rights-film-animation/33784759.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-france-marjane-satrapi-funeral-persepolis-radiation-cannes-human-rights-film-animation/33784759.html Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:33:02 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosHuman Rights Iranian authorities have sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to a punishment of 74 lashes for performing in a YouTube video that has racked up 2.9 million views over the last two years. Ahmadi sang the well-known patriotic song From The Blood Of the Youth to an empty theater space in 2024. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-singer-sentence-flogging-morality-police-ban-women-life-freedom-hijab-concert-youtube/33783873.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-singer-sentence-flogging-morality-police-ban-women-life-freedom-hijab-concert-youtube/33783873.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:26:54 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories The United States and Iran have traded strikes for a second day as tensions rise in the Middle East. US Central Command released video of strikes targeting Iranian military sites. Iran responded by attacking US allies in the Persian Gulf region. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strikes-hormuz-bahrain-kuwait-ship-india-ceasefire-talks/33778308.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strikes-hormuz-bahrain-kuwait-ship-india-ceasefire-talks/33778308.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:52:09 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos Russian drone attacks are a daily reality in Kherson, a frontline city in southern Ukraine. Residents say the threat is growing, with drones increasingly targeting residential neighborhoods and forcing people to seek cover. Yet many refuse to leave. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drone-attack-kherson-civilian-homes-frontline-residents/33777734.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drone-attack-kherson-civilian-homes-frontline-residents/33777734.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:46:18 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Afghan Talliban forces used gunfire to disperse a women’s rights protest in the western city of Herat on June 9 after residents demonstrated against the recent arrest of women accused of violating the mandatory dress code. One eyewitness said at least one person was killed. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-women-protest-dress-code-shooting/33776891.html https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-women-protest-dress-code-shooting/33776891.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:17:27 +0200 AfghanistanVideo ArchiveVideosHuman Rights Kyiv Residents have mixed reactions over the removal of a statue of writer Mikhail Bulgakov, author of The Master And Margarita. Born in Kyiv, the novelist penned sharp satires of Soviet society. But Ukrainian officials said Bulgakov also symbolized Russian imperial thinking. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-bulgakov-master-margarita-statue-removal-russia-empire/33776091.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-bulgakov-master-margarita-statue-removal-russia-empire/33776091.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:24:03 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine More than three months into Iran's conflict with the United States and Israel, Iranians say they are desperate about meeting basic needs. Some are down to one meal a day, meat is rare, and household appliances are sold off to pay bills. Some Iranians sent messages to RFE/RL's Radio Farda. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-economy-crisis-inflation-us-israel-war-unemployment-internet-irgc/33772766.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-economy-crisis-inflation-us-israel-war-unemployment-internet-irgc/33772766.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:06:01 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories Russian forces hit a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel near Ukraine's Chernobyl power plant, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said June 7. He called the strike an "extremely vile" attack as international atomic energy monitors announced it did not lead to a spike in radiation. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-chernobyl-strike-nuclear-radiation-russia-iaea/33774622.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-chernobyl-strike-nuclear-radiation-russia-iaea/33774622.html Sun, 07 Jun 2026 17:40:05 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine Two more men have been executed in Iran in connection with the January protests with human rights groups condemning growing repression in the country. An Iranian man was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for simply shooting video of protests that first erupted in December 2025. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-execution-protest-prisoners-human-rights-video-sentence/33770259.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-execution-protest-prisoners-human-rights-video-sentence/33770259.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:42:38 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosHuman Rights The public spectacle of hundreds of couples marrying in Tehran surrounded by armored vehicles and antiaircraft guns on May 18 demonstrates a new level of patriotic messaging from the country amid a fragile cease-fire with the US and Israel. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-tehran-us-israel-war-wedding-irgc-janfada-self-sacrifice-ceasefire/33760330.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-tehran-us-israel-war-wedding-irgc-janfada-self-sacrifice-ceasefire/33760330.html Tue, 19 May 2026 17:31:37 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories In the wake of massive drone strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine launched air attacks on May 17 called the heaviest to hit the Moscow area in over a year. At least four people died, officials said on Sunday, in strikes on the Moscow and Belgorod regions. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-moscow-russia-drone-strike-kyiv-zelenskyy/33758823.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-moscow-russia-drone-strike-kyiv-zelenskyy/33758823.html Sun, 17 May 2026 17:35:26 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine Mourners paid tribute to Ukrainians killed on May 14 when a Russian air attack caused an apartment building to collapse in Kyiv. "They just wiped out people," said one witness about the attack at a makeshift memorial near the ruins. Meanwhile, Russia followed up with more attacks May 16. https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-apartment-drone-strike-memorial-russia-sumy-counterstrike/33758370.html https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-apartment-drone-strike-memorial-russia-sumy-counterstrike/33758370.html Sat, 16 May 2026 18:07:19 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine Some Iranians in exile who are advocating a return of the monarchy in Tehran have been displaying symbols associated with the notorious secret police, SAVAK, used by the former shah to repress political opponents before the Islamic Revolution in 1979. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-pahlavi-shah-savak-demonstrations-regensburg-manchester-copenhagen-1979-islamic-revolution/33757076.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-pahlavi-shah-savak-demonstrations-regensburg-manchester-copenhagen-1979-islamic-revolution/33757076.html Thu, 14 May 2026 19:03:47 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories More than a week after the United States announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to put pressure on Tehran to reach a peace deal, analysts say the effects are mixed. Iran's oil exports are being affected but are also still being sold in Asia, one expert says. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strait-hormuz-blockade-war-persian-gulf-israel-oil-cease-fire-ship-irgc/33742855.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strait-hormuz-blockade-war-persian-gulf-israel-oil-cease-fire-ship-irgc/33742855.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:57:37 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos The FBI says it is investigating a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 25. A man opened fire on security personnel with a shotgun, witnesses said, sparking chaos as US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out unharmed. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-shooting-correspondents-dinner-fbi-melania-cole-tomas-allen/33742768.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-shooting-correspondents-dinner-fbi-melania-cole-tomas-allen/33742768.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:35:28 +0200 NewsVideo ArchiveVideos A major Russian overnight air attack on ​Ukraine killed at least seven people and injured dozens more, targeting Dnipro and other areas across the country. More than 660 drones and missiles were launched, the majority shot down, according to the Ukrainian military. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-dnipro-kyiv-russia-drone-strike-deadly-eu/33742322.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-dnipro-kyiv-russia-drone-strike-deadly-eu/33742322.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:06:01 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Frontline mobile fire units of Ukraine's 100th Brigade report they are seeing more daytime attacks by Russian-launched Shahed drones while still keeping busy at night, using machine guns and night vision gear to intercept a variety of incoming strikes. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-donetsk-drone-frontline-mobile-fire-machine-gun-defense/33734628.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-donetsk-drone-frontline-mobile-fire-machine-gun-defense/33734628.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:42:26 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories At least 16 people were killed in a massive wave of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine on April 16, which hit Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa, and other locations across the country. Officials said more than 100 were injured in the strikes. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-odesa-dnipro-strikes-deadly-russian-missiles/33733575.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-odesa-dnipro-strikes-deadly-russian-missiles/33733575.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:49:58 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine Russia launched more than 300 drones and three missiles at Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials, hitting civilian buildings in Sumy, Slovyansk, and Dnipro. Survivors told RFE/RL on April 15 how the blasts came in the early hours sparking fires and causing widespread destruction. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-sumy-slovyansk-dnipro-zaporizhzhya-russia-drone-strike-civilian/33732756.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-sumy-slovyansk-dnipro-zaporizhzhya-russia-drone-strike-civilian/33732756.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:44:18 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine