Generation Putin

A generation who has grown up under President Putin begins to take its place in Russian politics.

What’s next for released Russian political prisoners?

Conflict & Justice

Last week, the US and Russia completed a historic prisoner swap. Twenty-six people in total were released, including 24 adults and two children. But it wasn’t just Americans — most of those released by the Kremlin were Russian political dissidents. Now, many of them are stuck in exile. 

‘Patriots’: A play about 1990s Russia debuts on Broadway

Conflict
Pussy Riot feminist activist collective, from left to right, Alina Petrova, Diana Burkot, Masha Alyokhina, Olga Borisova.

A conversation with Russian protest group Pussy Riot

Protest
A portrait of the owner of private military company Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin lays at an informal memorial next to the former 'PMC Wagner Centre' in St. Petersburg, Russia, Aug. 24, 2023.

Reported death of Wagner Group leader ‘strengthens Putin’s hold on power,’ analyst says

Conflict
US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink in Kyiv.

US Amb Bridget Brink: ‘I see no break in support’ to help Ukraine prevail against Russia

Ukraine
A member of auction house staff poses for a picture with a 19-carat pink diamond at Christie's auction house, in London, Oct. 18, 2017.

Belgium faces pressure to support sanctions on Russian diamonds

Ukraine

Belgium has to decide how to proceed amid calls for sanctions against Russia’s diamond industry. The Belgian city of Antwerp plays a big role in the global diamond trade, and would have much to lose. Hans Merket, of the International Peace Information Service (IPIS), joined the World’s host Marco Werman from Antwerp to discuss the situation.

A view of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People's Republic, eastern Ukraine

‘I thought we were going to die’: A Ukrainian woman speaks out about her ordeal as a prisoner of war

Ukraine

Victoria Obidina was among a group of women who were taken as prisoners by the Russian military from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol in May. Obidina was held captive for six months before being released last month as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

Cars line up to cross from Latvia into Russia

Desperate Ukrainians crossing into Latvia while Russians are blocked

Borders

Latvia, like the rest of European Union countries, has closed its border to virtually all Russians — even those fleeing conscription into the army. These days, it’s desperate Ukrainians who are crossing into Latvia from Russia, most notably young men fearing they might be drafted, too.

Russian opposition figure and former owner of the Yukos Oil Company Mikhail Khodorkovsky speaks during a press conference with Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs at the "Esperanza" hotel in Paunguriai village

Russia must change its power structure to get back on a democratic path, opposition figure says

Leaders

Russian businessman and opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky recently released a new book, “The Russia Conundrum: How the West Fell for Putin’s Power Gambit — and How to Fix It.” He spoke with The World’s host Marco Werman about Russia, President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine.

A general view of a G7 leaders meeting with outreach guests as part of the working session of the G7 leaders summit, Kruen, Germany

NATO to boost reaction force, Ukraine support

Global Politics

As Western leaders come together for a series of meetings, NATO says it plans to increase the number of its rapid reaction forces, and that allies will agree to deliver further military support to Ukraine when they convene on Tuesday in Spain.