🇷🇺🌍🤨 Russia's International Relations

Why did Evan Gershkovich face persecution in Russia?

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal correspondent, was detained by the FSB and charged with espionage, an allegation the Journal vehemently denies. The reason for his persecution is unclear.

What is the UN Security Council, and why is Russia's presidency sparking outrage?

• The UN Security Council is a global organization responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
• Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council is largely symbolic, but it has sparked outrage due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
• Despite condemnation from the international community, Russia has continued its aggression towards Ukraine, and its presidency of the UN Security Council is seen as a way to legitimize its actions.

What is the situation in Russian prisons for Ukrainian convicts?

• Ukrainian convicts were transferred to Russian-controlled territory without explanation.
• Some of them were detained again by Russian police upon release and accused of violating immigration laws.
• No Russian official has publicly acknowledged the transfer of Kherson prisoners into Russia, which may violate international law.
• The Kherson prisoners' ordeal began a week after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February.

Why is Russia expanding their military draft?

Russia is expanding the scope of its nationwide military draft to conscript men between the ages of 18 and 27 amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The move is likely to trigger social unrest inside Russia, according to U.S. analysts, who note public pushback to a previous enlistment call by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022. Russian officials said this week that new draftees will not immediately be sent to the front lines in Ukraine.

What is the Donbas region and why is Russia trying to capture it?

• The Donbas region is an area in eastern Ukraine.
• Russia has been carrying out an offensive aimed at capturing the Donbas region for months.
• The reason for Russia's attempt to capture the Donbas region is unclear.

What happened in the intense moment when Ukraine wiped out an entire column of Russian tanks?

A column of Russian tanks and armored combat vehicles was destroyed by Ukraine Marines armed with portable missile launchers in the Donetsk region. The ambush was led by members of Ukraine’s 36th Separate Marine Brigade lying in wait all around the perimeter. At least seven Russian armored personnel carriers and tanks were traveling single-file through a desolate landscape riddled with craters from rocket shells and dotted with homes that had been reduced to piles of rubble. The US has provided Ukraine with 8,500 Javelin anti-tank missiles as part of its $46 billion military assistance package. According to Ukraine’s military, its forces have destroyed more than 3,600 enemy tanks over the past 13 months.

Why is Ukraine looking to block athletes from competing with Russians?

Ukraine is looking to block its athletes from sports competitions, particularly qualifying events for next year’s Paris Olympics, which readmit Russian athletes. The International Olympic Committee recommended that sports federations allow Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes without national symbols. Ukraine wanted to continue the full exclusion, which had been in place in most sports since shortly after last year’s Russian invasion. Ukrainian officials have previously not ruled out boycotting next year’s Paris Olympics rather than compete against Russians.