The Kremlin armed a generation of freedom fighters in Africa, like Joana Gomes, who helped Guinea-Bissau win liberation. So her decision to take Moscow’s side in its war with Ukraine was never in doubt.
Tag: USSR (Former Soviet Union)
Ukrainian Grandmaster Bids to Unseat Russian Head of World Chess Body
Hoping to end Russia’s domination of the International Chess Federation, Andrii Baryshpolets is running for the presidency of the powerful governing organization.
Russia Planned a Major Military Overhaul. Ukraine Shows the Result.
Russia wanted to build a leaner, more flexible fighting force and eliminate waste, bureaucracy and corruption. But entrenched, Soviet-era practices endure.
A Mini-Russia Gets Squeezed by War
The self-declared republic of Transnistria, on the Ukraine border, has been steered by Moscow for decades. During a rare visit, a reporter and photographer get an inside look into how it operates, and hear from Transnistrians their fears of war.
Russia’s Grave Miscalculation: Ukrainians Would Collaborate
Besides their military failures, the Russians entered the war believing they could persuade Ukrainians in the east to join their side. Those efforts have failed spectacularly.
Stanislav Shushkevich, First Leader of Post-Soviet Belarus, Dies at 87
He helped formalize the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, led his country until 1994, then became a vocal critic of his successor, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko.
Putin Could Use Russia’s Victory Day to Expand Ukraine War, Some Fear
The Russian holiday celebrating the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany is viewed by Ukraine and NATO as a stage for the Russian president to proclaim a turn in the war.
Seeking Arms for Ukraine, Pentagon Buyers Scour Eastern European Factories
Soviet-designed ammunition is part of the ‘life blood’ for Ukrainian troops fighting Russia, and the United States is keeping it flowing.
Mikhail Vasenkov Dies at 79; His Spy Ring Inspired ‘The Americans’
He and his wife were among 10 Soviet sleeper agents who blended into American society before being exposed and deported in 2010. The TV series sprung from the episode.
The Making of Vladimir Putin
Tracing Putin’s 22-year slide from statesman to tyrant.