Corey Flintoff

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience at the United Russia party congress held in Moscow in June, three months ahead of parliamentary elections this Sunday. His party is expected to retain its majority.

In Russia, A New Parliament Is Expected To Act Much Like The Old One

Corey Flintoff

Most of Russia's opposition has been greatly weakened or eliminated. As Russians elect a new parliament, it's expected to be a rubber-stamp body that follows the wishes of President Vladimir Putin.

Unlike 2011 Duma Elections, Protesters Are Expected To Be Muted

Corey Flintoff

On Sunday, Russian voters will choose members of the lower house of parliament. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated against the last such elections. They say they are too afraid to protest now.

Mufti Ismail Berdiev (right) is a religious leader in the Republic of Dagestan. When a report documented female genital mutilation in this republic, he said all women should be circumcised "to end depravity." He later said he was joking. Above, he poses with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Kremlin ceremony in March.

Controversy Erupts In Russia Over Report On Female Genital Mutilation

Corey Flintoff

It's the first systematic documentation of the practice in the republic of Dagestan. Reactions from a mufti, a priest and a rabbi have sparked a charged debate.

In Leak Of Democratic Emails, Questions About Russia's Role

Corey Flintoff

What's behind Russia's apparent hacking into the Democratic National Committee — and what could it gain by meddling in the U.S. election? "It's all about Hillary Clinton," says a Russian journalist.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) joins Russia's federal highway agency head Roman Starovoit (left) and Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov (second from left) on a visit to the Kerch Strait bridge construction site on Tuzla Island on March 18. The bridge will link Crimea to mainland Russia.

Russia's Crimea Bridge Project Beset By Engineering Worries And Labor Woes

Corey Flintoff

Russia is racing to build a bridge to Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula it annexed in 2014. The strategically vital project is beset by charges of near-slave labor for workers and engineering concerns.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets well-wishers on a visit to Crimea in August 2015. Russia seized and annexed the territory from Ukraine in March 2014.

Russia Accuses Ukraine Of 'Terrorist' Attack In Crimea

Corey Flintoff

Russia says two of its servicemen were killed by Ukrainian forces firing into Crimea. Ukraine's president said the Russian claims are "fantasy."

In Russia's view, Hillary Clinton's campaign has raised the email hacking issue to draw attention away from the content of the leaked emails.

After Hacking Claims, Here's The View From Russia On The U.S. Campaign

Corey Flintoff

Russia denies that it was behind a hacking attack on the Democratic Party that led to embarrassing revelations ahead of this week's convention. "Total stupidity," says a Kremlin spokesman.

Russia recently introduced a new frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, and invited journalists on board at the Russian base in Sevastopol, Crimea. While the Russians have had a naval base in Sevastopol since the 18th century, Russia's seizure of the entire Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 has heightened tensions with NATO.

The View From A Russian Frigate In Crimea

Corey Flintoff

Russia recently introduced a new warship in the Black Sea, an area of heightened tension since Russia's seizure of Crimea two years ago. NPR's Corey Flintoff was invited on board.

IOC Decides Against Blanket Ban On Russian Olympic Athletes

Corey Flintoff

Individual sports federations will decide whether each Russian athlete can compete in the Olympics, stopping short of banning the entire Russian delegation from competing due to a doping scandal.

World Anti-Doping Agency Finds Russia Endorsed Athletes Cheating

Corey Flintoff

The International Olympic Committee will hold an emergency conference call for members of its Executive Board on Tuesday to discuss the latest revelations about Russian doping in international sport.

Lithuanians Prepare To Resist Russian Aggression Ahead Of NATO Reinforcement

Corey Flintoff

Lithuania fears it could be overrun by Russian forces in a matter of hours. The NATO member state is training thousands of young people to resist a Russian incursion until help can arrive.

Russian Athletes Banned From Rio Olympics

Corey Flintoff

The international track and field body, the IAAF, has upheld the ban on Russian athletes, ruling they should be barred from the Rio Olympics because of far-reaching doping conspiracy.