https://www.rferl.org/z/23311 The main stories of the day from the RFE/RL Central Newsroom. https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/23311 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:50:42 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL The findings by Systema, RFE/RL’s Russian investigative unit, confirm past unconfirmed reports that Kyle Nagy had moved to Russia shortly before his November 2023 indictment in the United States. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-crypto-fraud-kyle-nagy-moscow-safemoon/33746197.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-crypto-fraud-kyle-nagy-moscow-safemoon/33746197.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:17:00 +0200 FeaturesRussiaThe Rundown Stories Arrests and confiscated terminals are being reported in Turkmenistan as locals set up secret Starlink connections to access the internet in the authoritarian country. https://www.rferl.org/a/starlink-internet-turkmenistan-raids-police-restriction/33746166.html https://www.rferl.org/a/starlink-internet-turkmenistan-raids-police-restriction/33746166.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:04:45 +0200 Turkmenistan FeaturesThe Rundown Stories An Russian oligarch and top business executives are using A7, an influential payments company implicated a vast sanctions evasions scheme relying on a ruble-backed cryptocurrency, for their own transactions. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-cryptocurrency-a7a5-ilan-shor-investigation-sanction-evasion/33746026.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-cryptocurrency-a7a5-ilan-shor-investigation-sanction-evasion/33746026.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:34:06 +0200 NewsMoldovaRussiaThe Rundown Stories Ukraine has hit an oil facility and industrial site in Russia's Perm region, roughly 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, according to Russian officials, as US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed a potential temporary cease-fire aimed at pausing the four-year war in Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-strikes-russia-oil-cease-fire-talks/33745974.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-strikes-russia-oil-cease-fire-talks/33745974.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:49:09 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories As the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to impact and shape the region, journalists from RFE/RL deliver ongoing updates and analysis. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Weeks of US and Israeli air strikes, sanctions, and restrictions have hit Iran hard, but it could be geology that eventually pushes it into making concessions in its ongoing standoff with the United States. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-oil-sector-blockade-tehran/33745206.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-oil-sector-blockade-tehran/33745206.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:23:43 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesIranThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East In an interview with RFE/RL, US Representative Wesley Bell, whose legislation to address threats to the Baltics has advanced with bipartisan support, discusses checking Russia’s ambitions, how the war in Ukraine shapes long-term security, the implications of Russia-Iran cooperation, and more. https://www.rferl.org/a/baltics-us-security-nato-russia-threats-wesley-bell/33745055.html https://www.rferl.org/a/baltics-us-security-nato-russia-threats-wesley-bell/33745055.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:20:39 +0200 RussiaFeaturesBelarusIranRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Russia’s Defense Ministry said the Victory Day parade on Red Square -- an annual spectacle celebrating the Soviet role in orld War II and Moscow’s military today -- will be drastically scaled back this year, with no military vehicles or heavy weaponry on display for the first time since 2007. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-victory-day-red-square-military-parade/33744971.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-victory-day-red-square-military-parade/33744971.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:19:16 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Africa Corps, the Russian Defense Ministry mercenary unit, was supposed to build on the successes of the now-defunct Wagner Group, forging commercial ties and giving a hard-power backstop to shaky African countries. Judging by this weekend’s events in Mali, it’s not going well. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-africa-corps-mali-withdrawal-wagner-mercenaries/33744461.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-africa-corps-mali-withdrawal-wagner-mercenaries/33744461.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:31:41 +0200 RussiaFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Why a sprawling war memorial that was opened on April 26 commemorates only a fraction of the estimated thousands of troops Pyongyang lost in Russia. https://www.rferl.org/a/north-korea-ukraine-russia-war-memorial-opening-casualties/33744304.html https://www.rferl.org/a/north-korea-ukraine-russia-war-memorial-opening-casualties/33744304.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:36:32 +0200 Russia Invades UkraineFeaturesRussiaUkrainePhoto GalleriesPhoto GalleriesThe Rundown Stories Beijing has pushed back on a US decision to sanction the Hengli oil refinery, rejecting Washington's accusations that the company "plays an outsized role" in buying Iranian oil. https://www.rferl.org/a/china-us-sanctions-oil-iran-eu/33744295.html https://www.rferl.org/a/china-us-sanctions-oil-iran-eu/33744295.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:52:01 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesChina Ukrainian drones hit the large Russian Black Sea oil facility terminals at Tuapse for the third time in 12 days, sparking another billowing fire and prompting evacuations. https://www.rferl.org/a/tuapse-russian-oil-port-fire-drone-strike/33744191.html https://www.rferl.org/a/tuapse-russian-oil-port-fire-drone-strike/33744191.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:03:34 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories What was missing from the EU sanctions on Russia https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-briefing-jozwiak-ukraine-eu-sanctions/33744221.html https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-briefing-jozwiak-ukraine-eu-sanctions/33744221.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:58:13 +0200 Wider EuropeThe Rundown Stories RFE/RL spoke with former US Central Command (CENTCOM) communications director, retired US Army Colonel Joe Buccino, on April 27 to discuss the escalating situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the strategic "staring contest" between Washington and Tehran that is now defining the region. https://www.rferl.org/a/centcom-buccino-iran-us-strategic-staring-contest-hormuz/33744184.html https://www.rferl.org/a/centcom-buccino-iran-us-strategic-staring-contest-hormuz/33744184.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:45:45 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Ukrainian interceptor drone units are working to counter Russia’s growing use of aerial threats along the front line. Tasked with tracking and destroying both reconnaissance and strike UAVs, these teams operate under constant pressure as drones fly higher and faster. https://www.rferl.org/a/inside-ukraine-s-drone-hunters-targeting-russian-uavs/33743632.html https://www.rferl.org/a/inside-ukraine-s-drone-hunters-targeting-russian-uavs/33743632.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:02:45 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories The suspect in the shooting at a Washington gala where US President Donald Trump was due to speak has been charged with attempted assassination as well as with a broader plot targeting senior government officials. https://www.rferl.org/a/washington-shooting-suspect-assassination-attempt-trump/33743757.html https://www.rferl.org/a/washington-shooting-suspect-assassination-attempt-trump/33743757.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:27:09 +0200 NewsThe Rundown Stories Satellite imagery sourced by RFE/RL shows two major Christian monuments have been demolished in recent weeks inside Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region. https://www.rferl.org/a/cathedral-church-demolished-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict/33743489.html https://www.rferl.org/a/cathedral-church-demolished-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict/33743489.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:37:01 +0200 FeaturesArmeniaAzerbaijanThe Rundown Stories Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced strong support for Iran in its conflict with the United States as he greeted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi for talks in St Petersburg on April 27. https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-iran-strategic-relationship-araqchi-russia/33743629.html https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-iran-strategic-relationship-araqchi-russia/33743629.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:31:22 +0200 NewsIranRussiaThe Rundown Stories The photos of the emaciated soldiers circulated widely, along with complaints from angry relatives, prompting the removal of the unit’s commander. Four-plus years into war with Russia, it’s the latest controversy highlighting some of Ukraine’s continuing problems with logistics and manpower. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-brigade-food-water-hungry/33743556.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-brigade-food-water-hungry/33743556.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:57:02 +0200 UkraineFeaturesRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories The suspect in the shooting at a Washington gala where President Donald Trump was due to speak on April 25 is scheduled to make a court appearance on April 27, US officials said, as law-enforcement authorities seek to determine a motive for the heavily armed attack. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-shooting-correspondent-allen-gunman/33742896.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-shooting-correspondent-allen-gunman/33742896.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:07:34 +0200 NewsThe Rundown Stories