Putin In Syria: A Diplomatic Breakthrough, Or More Wishful Thinking?

December 16, 2015

US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Moscow to discuss Syria and Ukraine, and may have negotiated changes to the US’s position that the Assad regime needs to be removed. The previous post in our Putin in Syria column can be found here. Russia Detains 27 Turkish Ships; Turkey Detains 8 Russian Ships in […]

Russia Update: 85% of Russians Get Their News From TV But Nearly Half Don’t Trust It

A recent Levada poll in Russia has found that most Russians, 85%, get their news from television stations, which are mainly state-owned or pro-Kremlin, but nearly half, or 41%, don’t trust the news they are getting. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian […]

Ukraine Live Day 667: One Ukrainian Soldier Killed With Kiev Claiming ‘Provocative Fire’ Near Donetsk And Gorlovka

Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. For links to individual updates click on the timestamps. For the latest summary of evidence surrounding the shooting down of flight MH17 see our separate article: […]

Russia Update: Putin Slashes Fine for Truckers with Overweight Loads, Raises Minimum Wage

December 15, 2015

Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s foreign and domestic policies. The previous issue is here. Recent Translations: –The Non-Hybrid War –Kashin Explains His ‘Letter to Leaders’ on ‘Fontanka Office’ –TV Rain Interviews Volunteer Fighter Back from Donbass –‘I Was on Active […]

Ukraine Live Day 666: Avakov Throws Water In Saakashvili’s Face As Tensions Erupt

Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. For links to individual updates click on the timestamps. For the latest summary of evidence surrounding the shooting down of flight MH17 see our separate article: […]

Putin in Syria: US Secretary of State Kerry Arrives in Moscow for Talks with Lavrov and Putin

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Moscow today December 15 and has begun talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov primarily on Syria but also Ukraine. Later today he will meet with President Vladimir Putin. The previous post in our Putin in Syria column can be found here. Heavy Casualties Reported After Multiple […]

Ukraine Live Day 665: Fighting Reported Overnight Near Donetsk And Gorlovka

Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. For links to individual updates click on the timestamps. For the latest summary of evidence surrounding the shooting down of flight MH17 see our separate article: […]

Russia Update: Putin Replaces Klimentyev, Head of Presidential Security with Dmitry Kochnev

Izvestiya reported this morning that President Vladimir Putin has replaced Oleg Klimentyev, the head of presidential security, with Dmitry Kochnev, about whom nothing is known. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s foreign and domestic policies. The previous issue is here. Recent […]

Ukraine Live Day 664: Russian-Backed Fighters Launch Dozens of Attacks

December 13, 2015

Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. For links to individual updates click on the timestamps. For the latest summary of evidence surrounding the shooting down of flight MH17 see our separate article: […]