Current Time

What's Behind Russia's Military Buildup On Ukraine's Border?

Russia says its forces are conducting drills, but the large presence of troops and military equipment near its border with Ukraine has leaders in Kyiv and the West concerned that it could lead to a major outbreak of fighting. Experts told Current Time what they think Moscow is up to.

Current Time Belarus Correspondent Fined For 'Distribution' Of 'Extremist' Donbas Book

Facing Charges, Russian Man Releases Video Of Police Apparently Planting Drugs

Igor Krainov was detained on drug charges in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod in 2019. But CCTV footage helped him get the charges dropped and turn the tables on the police, who appeared to plant evidence in his pocket. Three officers lost their jobs and are facing a criminal investigation.

At Conservatives’ Urging, Russia Examines Morality, Legality Of Body Worlds Exhibit

Do Ice-Skating Corpses Insult 'Religious Feelings'? Russia Investigates Body Worlds

In the latest manifestation of the influence of Russia’s conservative movement, the Russian Orthodox Church has joined forces with communists and pro-Kremlin politicians to secure a government probe into the international Body Worlds exhibit, which uses genuine body parts to teach human anatomy.

Amidst Pandemic, Russia's Female Domestic Violence Victims Seek Help In Record Numbers

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, crisis centers throughout Russia are reporting a spike in requests from women for help against domestic violence. Self-isolation and quarantines reportedly contribute to this problem, but, unlike in the past, many women are opting to speak out.

Residents Of Crumbling Moscow Factory Dorms Fight Eviction

Thousands of Moscow factory workers have been forced out of company housing over the years as plants closed their dormitories or shut down altogether. But some families have stayed on despite barely livable conditions, and are fighting in court for their right to decent housing.

Anatomy Of A Cover-Up? Why Belarus's Denials In Death Of Protester Don't Ring True

Raman Bandarenka died from his injuries after being beaten up by masked men in November 2020, but the authorities in Belarus claimed he was drunk before he was detained. It was the start of an alleged cover-up that has seen a doctor jailed for disclosing that there was no alcohol in his body.

Russia's Campaign Against Twitter Faces Mixed Chances Of Success, IT Experts Say

Vaccine Appointments Canceled In Russia As Supplies Of Sputnik V Run Out

As Russia pursues vigorous "vaccine diplomacy," offering its Sputnik V vaccine to other countries, its own citizens can't get the much-needed shot in the arm.

Kazakh DJ Wins Grammy Award

A 20-year-old Kazakh DJ and record producer has won a 2021 Grammy award, becoming the first Central Asian recipient of the prestigious musical accolade.

Ice For Sale: Siberian Tatars Carry On A Centuries-Old Tradition

In an ethnic Tatar village in Russia's Omsk region, drinking water comes from the ice of a local lake, which is cut in winter, carried, and stored for year-round use. It's a good business for those who do the hard work of collecting the ice.

Eurovision Blues For Belarus As Politics Nixes Two Entries

Preparations in Belarus for this year's Eurovision Song Contest have been thrown into chaos by the country's political unrest.

Detained Russian Protester Uses Current Time Video To Win Legal Battle

Vadim Zabolotskikh was one of thousands of Russians detained during recent demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny. But Zabolotskikh succeeded in having his case dropped when he used video of the protests to prove that his police record contained falsehoods.

Armenia Struggles To End Political Standoff Over Truce With Azerbaijan

'An Enemy Of The People' Or 'A Real Man'? A Small Russian Town On Aleksei Navalny

For a few days, the small Russian town of Pokrov, 100 kilometers east of Moscow, thought it was hosting jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. His prison turned out to be in the village of Kolchugino, but the opinions heard in Pokrov illustrate how deep is Russia's divide over Navalny.

Isolation And Sleep Deprivation: Life In Prison Where Navalny Is Allegedly Being Held

A former inmate of the prison where Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny is believed to have been transferred told Current Time he was subjected to isolation, sleep deprivation, and bullying.

Clubhouse Poised To Shake Up Russia’s Access To News And Newsmakers

Outrage In Russia After Screams Of Dying Woman Ignored

A court case is causing outrage on Russian social media after evidence was presented showing how desperate calls to emergency services were ignored, allowing a man to torture and then kill his ex-girlfriend at an apartment in the Siberian city of Kemerovo.

Analysts: Armenia’s Ultimate Struggle May Be More Political Than Military