Russia

In a recent article, analyst and author Mark Galeotti wrote that Vladimir Putin appears to be entering "the final, most dangerous phase of his descent into rogue state tyrant." What does that mean for the war in Ukraine -- and what can the West do about it? Galeotti joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss.

Despite setbacks on the battlefield, Russia announced that it wants to control at least two Ukrainian regions beyond the Donbas. And it reached a deal to unblock Ukrainian grain exports, but then fired rockets at Odesa. Olga Oliker, program director for Europe and Central Asia at the Crisis Group, joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss what these developments could bring.

Are Russians hearing about the horrors of their country’s war on Ukraine, or are the state’s narratives drowning out the bloody details? And is Western resolve strong enough to stand up to the Kremlin’s framing of its invasion? Ian Garner, an expert on Russian war propaganda, joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss.

The year 2021 has been marked by a major clampdown on Kremlin opponents, civil society, and independent media, and is ending amid high tension over Russia’s dramatic demands of Kyiv, NATO, Washington, and the West. Analyst and author Mark Galeotti joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss what may happen in 2022.

Imprisoned Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny says he is being tortured with sleep deprivation and accuses his jailers of a deliberate effort to undermine his health. Also, the plight of an award-winning forest ranger whose penchant for catching suspected poachers may have made him some powerful enemies. RFER/RL Senior Correspondent Robert Coalson joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss.

The Russian police, FSB, and other law enforcement agencies are inextricably entwined in the massive theft of oil from pipelines and at other stages of transport within the country, an RFE/RL investigation has found. Enterprise Editor Carl Schreck joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss the revealing report by Russian Service correspondent Sergei Khazov-Cassia.