Steve Gutterman

Also by Steve Gutterman

• October 29, 2026

  The Week In Russia: Tensions, Talks, And 'Terror'

  Serbian voters dealt Moscow a blow, while rising tensions with Kyiv cast a shadow over expected trilateral talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Doubts about the Kremlin’s intentions and deep divisions over territory in the Donbas cloud prospects for progress.

• October 06, 2026

  A Lawmaker's Claim That 'Ukraine Is Losing' And Should Consider Compromise Sparks Debate

  A prominent lawmaker has sparked controversy by saying Ukraine is losing the war and should consider making controversial compromises with Moscow. An opposition party ejected Oleksiy Honcharenko from its parliamentary faction, but his remarks may fuel further debate amid relentless Russian attacks.

• October 02, 2026

  After Russia's Elections, An Expert On Fraud Is Arrested And Reportedly Beaten

  In the days between the elections and his arrest, Aleksandr Kynev had pointed to evidence of falsifications benefitting the United Russia party. Some analysts see his arrest and reported beating as a sign of a power struggle pitting security agencies against political operatives in Putin’s Kremlin.

• July 09, 2026

  Rift Over World War II-Era Killings Rocks Crucial Ukraine-Poland Ties

  Poland, steeped in bad memories of the 1939 Nazi-Soviet invasion and decades of dominance from Moscow after World War II, is a firm backer of Ukraine’s defense against Russia. But a flare-up over their own bloody history is threatening ties at a crucial time -- and could have wide repercussions.

• June 26, 2026

  In Viral Post, Russian Veteran Warns Putin Of Mutiny, Then Walks Back Threat

  A veteran of Russia’s war against Ukraine sparked a stir with a viral video post, demanding a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and warning of a rebellion – before retracting the threat. The episode highlighted growing tensions over a war estimated to have killed half a million Russian soldiers.

• June 19, 2026

  'It's Come To This': Gas Shortages Hit Russia As Ukraine Hits Refineries

  Pulling up at a gas station with no fuel for sale, a Russian woman is aghast: “What’s going on in this country?” What’s going on is that in the fifth year of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine is fighting back with strikes on oil refineries, part of a bid to bring the war to citizens across Russia.

• June 19, 2026

  Putin's 'War Trap' And The Potential Price Of Peace

  When he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many warned Vladimir Putin that the offensive he claimed was meant to bolster Russia’s security would instead put it in jeopardy. Now, in a country steeped in war, analysts say peace could pose major risks – not least for Putin himself.

• May 21, 2026

  Attacked By The State And Fractured Within, Belarus Opposition Struggles In Exile

  Poor turnout for an online election underscores the daunting challenges faced by the largely exiled Belarusian democratic opposition six years after a groundswell of popular protests raised hopes for change in a country ruled by authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko since 1994.

• May 12, 2026

  'Fused Together': Zelenskyy Faces Risks From Probe Into Ex-Chief Of Staff

  A corruption scandal closes in on Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff Andriy Yermak. How badly could it hurt Ukraine’s wartime president?

• May 07, 2026

  Vladimir Putin And Victory Day: A Downsized Parade, A Diminished President?

  For years, President Vladimir Putin has used Russia’s Victory Day parade to show off its weapons, accentuate his dominance, and deliver narratives on World War II and the present. This year is different, with Russia's struggles in Ukraine in focus amid signs his authority at home is "in decline."

• March 01, 2026

  Hanna Notte: US-Israeli Attack On Iran 'Will Only Harden Russia's Position On Ukraine'

  The US-Israeli attack on Iran will likely have little effect on the battlefield in Ukraine, but it may make Russian President Vladimir Putin “even more adamant that he has to come out on top” in the full-scale war he launched four years ago, Hanna Notte, an expert on Russia-Iran ties, told RFE/RL.

• January 29, 2026

  Game Of (Chechen) Thrones: With Kadyrov’s Health In Doubt, Succession Is On Everyone’s Mind

  Moscow-backed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s health is in question, and speculation about succession is rife. The Kremlin wants to keep Chechnya quiet, especially amid the war on Ukraine. Kadyrov wants his family to maintain its grip on power and wealth. Here's a list of potential successors.

• January 19, 2026

  Father Ill, Son Injured: Car Crash Further Clouds Chechnya's Future

  Adam Kadyrov, the 18-year-old son of Chechnya’s Kremlin-backed leader, has been hospitalized after a deadly car crash, multiple sources say, adding to uncertainty about the future in the volatile Russian region. Authorities in Grozny and Moscow are silent. Here’s what we know and why it matters.

• January 12, 2026

  Will Russia's War Against Ukraine End In 2026?

  With the sides far apart on key issues as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches the four-year mark, analysts say the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II is unlikely to end in 2026. They also caution that a halt in hostilities would not necessarily lead to sustainable peace.

• January 05, 2026

  Counting On Carte Blanche: What Maduro's Capture Could Mean For Russia

  While the loss of a Latin American ally is a blow, Russia may hope the US intervention in Venezuela means Moscow can do as it wishes in what it considers its sphere of influence, primarily Ukraine. In practice, though, there’s no guarantee it will lead to big changes in the war or the wider region.

• December 31, 2025

  High Hurdles: The Main Obstacles To A Ukraine Peace Deal

  As the US presses for an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine, the fate of territory in the Donbas and a massive nuclear power plant may be the biggest barriers to a peace deal. Here’s a look at these and other obstacles, including the mechanics of security guarantees and a potential vote in Ukraine.

• December 29, 2025

  Optimism And Obstacles: What To Watch After The Trump-Zelenskyy Talks On Russia’s War In Ukraine

  After two hours of talks with his Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on December 28, US President Donald Trump said they were “getting a lot closer” to agreement on a deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Here’s what to watch for as the US push for peace continues.

• December 19, 2025

  Putin Projects Confidence On Ukraine War While Repeating Demands In 4 1/2-Hour Press Event

  Russian President Vladimir Putin used a marathon annual appearance to project confidence about Russia's position on the battlefield in its war on Ukraine and gave no signal that Moscow is ready to make substantial concessions in the name of peace.

• December 18, 2025

  More Than 'Young Pigs': Putin's Street Slang Targets Western Leaders

  The specific wording of Russian President Vladimir Putin's address to a military meeting on December 17 is telling. His use of the street slang term "podsvinki" seemingly deliberately plays to his domestic audience by suggesting European leaders are submissive to US machinations.

• December 18, 2025

  Putin’s ‘Swine’ Swipe: A Bid To Divide The West And Blame Europe If Peace Efforts Fail

  Amid a US push for a deal to end Moscow’s war against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin used a high-profile military meeting to label unspecified European leaders “podsvinki,” which roughly translates as young pigs or young swine. Here’s why he said it.

Load more