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 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 13:02:09 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL When Serhiy Kutrakov decided to take up arms in 2014 to defend Ukraine from Russian-backed separatists, he accepted he would likely be killed in combat. Documentarian Yulia Hontaruk followed Kutrakov and two other soldiers on and off the battlefield for 12 years. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-soldier-donetsk-donbas-2014-documentary-karlovy-vary-film-hontaruk-kutrakov-russia-civilian/33817605.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-soldier-donetsk-donbas-2014-documentary-karlovy-vary-film-hontaruk-kutrakov-russia-civilian/33817605.html Sun, 02 Aug 2026 09:40:05 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine A Ukrainian drone attack targeted another Wildberries facility ⁠in Russia, this time in Volgograd. Russia's largest online retailer said on July 31 that a logistics hub had been hit. The strike is the latest in a series of attacks that have damaged at least 13 Wildberries warehouses since mid-July. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drone-wildberries-volgograd-refinery-strike/33819070.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drone-wildberries-volgograd-refinery-strike/33819070.html Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:49:57 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces carried out a "heavy wave" of strikes against Iranian targets in what it described as a response to Tehran's attempted missile attacks on US forces in the Gulf. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strike-heavy-gulf-jordan-egypt-centcom-drone-missile-qeshm/33818282.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strike-heavy-gulf-jordan-egypt-centcom-drone-missile-qeshm/33818282.html Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:43:00 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos As US forces targeted military sites and infrastructure, primarily in southern Iran, for the sixth night on July 16-17, Tehran responded by announcing it was launching strikes on five Persian Gulf states, including attacks on US military forces in Syria and Bahrain. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-drone-strikes-hormuz-strait-kuwait-bahrain-qatar-jordan-syria-israel-military/33805789.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-drone-strikes-hormuz-strait-kuwait-bahrain-qatar-jordan-syria-israel-military/33805789.html Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:05:57 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories A new round of US strikes across Iran hit dozens of military targets in areas near the Strait of Hormuz, including missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb island, according to western military officials. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hormuz-us-strike-drone-greater-tunb-jordan-kuwait-blockade-ceasefire/33804342.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hormuz-us-strike-drone-greater-tunb-jordan-kuwait-blockade-ceasefire/33804342.html Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:27:36 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories In addition to a night of renewed US strikes on Iran, the US Central Command reports that its forces targeted a submarine and ship maintenance facility in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas using sea drones, which marks a first in American combat weapons technology. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hormuz-strait-us-strike-bandar-abbas-submarine-sea-drone-trump/33803486.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hormuz-strait-us-strike-bandar-abbas-submarine-sea-drone-trump/33803486.html Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:13:47 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories Following US military strikes on Iran over the weekend, which came after Iran targeted shipping in the Hormuz Strait, reports of damage are coming in as Iran threatens to target Gulf states. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-israel-gulf-states-ceasefire-strikes-bahrain-kuwait-oman-jordan-rocket/33802697.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-israel-gulf-states-ceasefire-strikes-bahrain-kuwait-oman-jordan-rocket/33802697.html Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:12:04 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos More than a dozen people were killed in overnight Russian missile and drone strikes in and around Kyiv on July 6. Residential buildings were hit, and more than 40 people were wounded, including children. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kyiv-civilian-deaths-missile-drone-strike/33797782.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kyiv-civilian-deaths-missile-drone-strike/33797782.html Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:50:48 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Residents of Iranian cities say it's increasingly common for women to go out without a head scarf, a violation that previously would have resulted in harassment or detention. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hijab-morality-police-enforcement-war-us-israel-women-freedom-karaj-tehran/33794093.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-hijab-morality-police-enforcement-war-us-israel-women-freedom-karaj-tehran/33794093.html Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:17:44 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosHuman RightsThe Rundown Stories Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan were blamed for dozens of deaths in eastern areas of the country on June 29, according to Afghan authorities. Pakistan officials say the strikes targeted Taliban military sites, not civilian areas. RFE/RL has not been able to independently verify the claims. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-air-strikes-casualties-deaths-border-taliban-hospital/33791351.html https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-air-strikes-casualties-deaths-border-taliban-hospital/33791351.html Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:44:30 +0200 AfghanistanVideo ArchivePakistanVideos Consumers in Iran report they are struggling to afford a staple foodstuff: bread. One listener to RFE/RL's Radio Farda calls prices "horrific," while a baker explains he is trying to shield his customers from his own rocketing expenses for rent and utilities. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bread-inflation-consumer-price-war-us-israel/33789622.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bread-inflation-consumer-price-war-us-israel/33789622.html Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:31:56 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosEconomyThe Rundown Stories Ukrainian film artists are determined to build back the loss of 100,000 costumes, used in dozens of historic films, that burned in a Russian air attack on the Dovzhenko National Film Studios on June 15. Current Time's Yulia Zhukova spoke with studio staff about their commitment to cinema heritage. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-film-studios-dovzhenko-russia-strike-costume-fire-archive/33787995.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-film-studios-dovzhenko-russia-strike-costume-fire-archive/33787995.html Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:41:03 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Ukraine's military says it struck oil facilities near the Crimea Bridge and at other sites on the Russian-occupied peninsula on June 23 amid a severe gasoline shortage in Crimea due to escalating attacks. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-crimea-strike-oil-kerch-russia-occupied-gasoline-shortage-drone/33787152.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-crimea-strike-oil-kerch-russia-occupied-gasoline-shortage-drone/33787152.html Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:05:24 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories 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 UkraineThe Rundown Stories 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