Snowden Defends Query to Putin on Surveillance

Edward J. Snowden insisted that he had been trying to hold Russia’s government to account over its surveillance practices, as he did with the Obama administration.



Russia Is Quick to Bend Truth About Ukraine

Misinformation, exaggerations, conspiracy theories, overheated rhetoric and outright lies about the political crisis in Ukraine have emanated from the highest echelons of the Kremlin.



Russia Moves Swiftly to Stifle Dissent Ahead of Secession Vote

With the implicit threat of force, the Kremlin has succeeded in stifling dissent in the Crimean Peninsula, recreating the constrained conditions of Russia’s own civic sphere.

    



For Russian TV Channels, Influence and Criticism

Russia’s government-operated networks are led by executives who have helped promote President Vladimir V. Putin’s agenda, but they are facing fact-checking over coverage of Ukraine.

    



The TV Watch: Little Bit of ‘Fantasia’ as NBC Begins Olympic Show

Every host nation has something to prove — and hide. That’s also true of a host network, and NBC, like Russia, has a lot riding on the Sochi Games.

    



With Punishments or Pardons, Putin Shows He Is in Control

He has demonstrated an ability not only to wield the executive power of the Kremlin but also to bend the legislative and judicial branches of government to his will.

    



Without Notice, Putin Dissolves a News Agency

The decision to dissolve RIA Novosti, along with its international radio broadcaster, came as a complete surprise and signaled a major state media reorganization in Russia.

    



For Nearly 5 Hours, a Confident Putin Takes Questions

As a legal dragnet began to close around figures in Russia’s political opposition, President Vladimir V. Putin returned to Kremlin stagecraft with a live, televised question-and-answer session.

    

Trial of Putin Nemesis Is Delayed for a Week

The judge in the trial of the anticorruption blogger Aleksei A. Navalny granted his request for a postponement to allow more time to prepare.

    

Trial of Russian Activist Aleksei Navalny to Begin

The anticorruption blogger Aleksei A. Navalny is trying to etch a lasting image in the public imagination before his trial on embezzlement charges begins Wednesday.