Boris Nemtsov

During a discussion held in the European Parliament, participants highlighted the alarming rise of political prisoners in Russia, surpassing even the numbers seen during the Soviet era. Bill Browder, leader of the "Magnitsky" act campaign, attributed the assassination of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov to his involvement in the campaign.

Critics who largely support Russia's invasion of Ukraine see Putin's government as the main culprit for the military's poor preparation ahead of the war, the high number of dead Russian soldiers and slow progress on the ground.

Active citizens in Sofia want the Sofia Municipal Council to transfer the name of "Boris Nemtsov Square" from the area around Joliot-Curie Metro Station and the Embassy of North Macedonia to the area directly in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation. Here is the full statement of the activists:

"Vazrazhdane - Sofia" removed the flag of Ukraine from the building of the Sofia Municipality in the capital of Bulgaria.

"We remind you that the place of each foreign flag is in the embassy, consulate or trade representation of the respective country in our Republic," the party stated.

"We would strongly support the initiative of the Sofia administration in case the new name change discussed is a tribute to the memory of Soviet heroes Marshals Tymoshenko, Rybalko, Kozhedub, Colonels Generals Zhmachenko and Lyudnikov, legendary guerrilla commander Kovpak and many other heroes made famous in battle for my Motherland and the freedom of Europe.

The alley, located between Dragan Tsankov Boulevard and the fence of the Russian Embassy in Sofia, will be named "Heroes of Ukraine". This was voted by the municipal councilors in Sofia Council. The alley is located along 96 meters between Nezabravka Street and Nikola Mirchev Street.

The decision was taken with 36 "For", 16 "Against" and none abstained.

Dodik is presently the current Serb member of Bosnia's tripartite state presidency, and in theory spends most of his time in Sarajevo.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an order to shoot down a passenger plane he believed would be used in a terror attack at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, he said in a new documentary.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that he will seek another 6-year presidential term.

Tanjug reported this on Wednesday, citing AFP. The presidential elections will be held in March 2018.

According to TASS, Putin announced his plans during a meeting with veterans and workers of the automobile plant GAZ.

(Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday he would seek re-election in March 2018, a contest opinion polls show he will comfortably win, setting the stage for him to extend his dominance of Russia's political landscape into a third decade.