The country’s COVID-19 crisis raged on during a Kremlin-mandated nonworking week, with daily death tolls reaching new highs. Russian President Vladimir Putin drew vulnerable Belarusian autocrat Alexander Lukashenko into a tighter orbit as a relentless clampdown continued in the smaller nation that is Russia’s closest ally against the West. Once again, troop movements and energy supply decisions were watched warily in Kyiv and beyond for signals about Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
RFE/RL: The week in Russia
Pro-Russian T72 tank crews rest as they take part in military exersices at the "Torez" firing ground near the small town of Shakhtarsk in the Donetsk region on Sept. 16, 2016.
