Russia & Central Asia

Related Topics:

Russia's alleged election meddling

Amidst fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced the commander of the eastern front. Photo: dpa

Ukraine’s Zelensky replaces troop commander after Russia captures another town

Replacing the eastern front commander, the most heated battlefield, aims to bolster Ukraine’s defences in Donetsk after the capture of another strategic town by Russia.

27 Jan 2025 - 8:22PM

‘At rock bottom’: 100 years of Japan-Russia ties come full circle

27 Jan 2025 - 4:36PM

Russia’s ‘Afghan Quad’ overtures to India hit a China, Pakistan stumbling block

27 Jan 2025 - 8:17AMvideocam

‘Europe’s last dictator’ Lukashenko extends 3-decade rule in Belarus

Alexander Lukashenko wins Belarus’ election by a landslide, garnering nearly 87 per cent of the vote.

27 Jan 2025 - 1:59PM

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko speaks at a press conference after casting his vote. Photo: Belarusian Presidency via dpa

Putin says he is ready for talks with ‘smart’ Trump on Ukraine

The Russian leader also repeated Trump’s claim that the Ukraine war might not have started in 2022 if he had been US president at the time.

25 Jan 2025 - 9:37AMvideocam

Belarus election poised to extend 30-year rule of ‘Europe’s last dictator’

With opponents jailed or exiled, Alexander Lukashenko has also brought polling forward, with protests considered less likely in frigid weather.

24 Jan 2025 - 10:59PMvideocam

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ukraine receives bodies of 757 troops killed fighting Russia

The repatriation of the remains is the largest in months and underscores the high cost of fighting ahead of the war’s three-year anniversary.

24 Jan 2025 - 9:26PMvideocam

Ukrainian soldiers carrying the coffin of a fallen comrade in Bucha, Ukraine, in 2023. Photo: AP

Growing risk of nuclear powers armed clash, Russia security official says

Sergei Shoigu spoke out on Friday, saying Nato is increasing activities on its eastern flank, but Nato says it is Russia that is raising tensions.

24 Jan 2025 - 6:55PMvideocam

Russia says it repelled massive drone attack on 13 areas, including Moscow

Targets of the drone strikes – among the most widespread in recent months – are said to have included an oil refinery and an electronics plant.

24 Jan 2025 - 9:46PM

Chinese overseas

China condemns killing of national in Afghanistan attack claimed by Isis

Islamic State said it targeted a vehicle carrying the Chinese citizen, which led to his death.

23 Jan 2025 - 4:55PMvideocam

The flags of the China and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. File photo: Reuters

Trump says he’ll sanction Russia if Putin does not negotiate on Ukraine

The US president also said he had pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene to stop the war.

22 Jan 2025 - 5:55PM

US President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, in July 2017. Photo: AP

Zelensky says security guarantee would need at least 200,000 peacekeepers

At Davos, Ukraine’s president urges Europe to bolster defence against Russia.

22 Jan 2025 - 5:40PMvideocam

Afghanistan’s Taliban releases Americans in prisoner swap with US

The swap came after ‘long and fruitful negotiations,’ the Taliban’s foreign ministry said.

21 Jan 2025 - 5:34PM

‘Injustice’: Taliban deputy urges group to scrap female education ban

Sher Abbas Stanikzai urged the group’s leaders ‘to open the doors of education … we are committing an injustice’.

19 Jan 2025 - 8:58PMvideocam

Afghan women and girls face a lot of discrimination under the Taliban. File photo: AFP

‘Heinous’ Russian strike kills 6 across Ukraine in ‘retaliation’ attack

The attack comes as both sides seek to gain an advantage in the conflict, with Russia claiming advances in the east and Ukraine launching drone strikes on Russian targets.

19 Jan 2025 - 12:53PM

A Ukrainian serviceman collects evidence following a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 18, 2025. Photo: AP

Russia’s Kyiv strike payback for Ukrainian ATACMS attack, defence ministry says

Russia vowed retaliation for Ukraine’s firing of US-made ATACMS tactical missiles at unspecified ‘facilities’ near the nations’ border.

18 Jan 2025 - 8:10PM

Russia, Iran to boost military and trade ties in ‘real breakthrough’ pact

Both countries signed a broad cooperation pact in the face of stinging Western sanctions.

18 Jan 2025 - 1:19AMvideocam

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Germany plans to let military shoot down unidentified drones

A series of drone sightings over military and industrial sites in Germany has sparked alarm in recent months.

16 Jan 2025 - 12:54PM

Several drones have recently been spotted near the US airbase in Ramstein in western Germany. Photo: EPA-EFE

US sanctions Chinese firms supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine

The move puts additional pressure on Moscow days before Biden steps down and Trump takes over.

16 Jan 2025 - 3:20AMvideocam

Ukraine war: Moscow, Kyiv exchange 50 POWs in first return of 2025

Thousands of fighters have been returned in dozens of exchanges since the start of the war in February 2022.

16 Jan 2025 - 12:48AMvideocam

Russia faces ‘strongest action possible’ from Australia if POW confirmed dead

Oscar Jenkins, an Australian teacher fighting for Ukraine, was reportedly captured and interrogated by Russian soldiers. His status and whereabouts are unknown.

15 Jan 2025 - 7:13PM

Oscar Jenkins, a 32-year-old Australian teacher, was fighting with Ukrainian solders. Photo: X/SMO_VZ

Ukraine carries out ‘most massive strike’ on Russian territory in 3 years

The Russian military accused Kyiv of using US-and British-supplied missiles for one of the strikes and promised it would ‘not go unanswered’.

15 Jan 2025 - 12:39AM

A serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine fires a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops at a position in a front line position in Kharkiv region, Ukraine on January 10, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Nato launches ‘Baltic sentry’ mission after suspected cable sabotage

The mission, involving frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, aims to enhance vigilance in the region and deter further attacks on critical infrastructure.

14 Jan 2025 - 8:18PM

China-EU relations

Turkish railway, with Chinese upgrades, could bypass Russia on route to Europe

Improvements to Turkey’s railway network – which a Turkish official says China could provide – would create a new, quicker path for Europe-bound freight.

14 Jan 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

Russia accuses Ukraine of ‘energy terrorism’ over alleged pipeline attack

Moscow says Ukraine tried to attack TurkStream pipeline infrastructure in Russia with drones.

14 Jan 2025 - 3:24PM

A Ukrainian drone operator conducting an aerial reconnaissance mission at an undisclosed location in December. File photo: EPA-EFE

Open Questions series

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

5 Aug 2024 - 8:16PMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

5 Aug 2024 - 8:16PMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

MORE FROM THIS SERIES

TRENDING TOPICS

US-China trade war

US-China relations

Sexual harassment and assault

Russian missile may have downed Azerbaijani plane

Azerbaijani plane in deadly crash in Kazakhstan

How the Taliban is attracting Chinese tourists

Russia may hold military drills with North Korea

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.