Sergei Kovalev, Russia's leading human rights activist, has suffered a serious heart attack and is in intensive care in a Moscow hospital. (Reuters. July 8) Kovalev, a former political prisoner and now a member of the Duma, resigned his post as President Yeltsin's human rights... MORE

A White House official claimed July 5 that Boris Yeltsin had suggested to Bill Clinton during a telephone conversation that, in the aftermath of Russia's recent election, the Russian people might be able to overcome their wariness toward NATO enlargement. The remark, which has not... MORE

The commander in chief of Russia's combined forces in Chechnya, Lt. General Vyacheslav Tikhomirov has been replaced by Lt. General Konstantin Kulikovsky, Russian media announced over the weekend. Kulikovsky was until now deputy commander of the North Caucasus military district. (Russian and Western agencies, July... MORE

The delegation of senior Russian officials returned to Moscow yesterday after the latest in a series of unsuccessful meetings with Chechen resistance leaders. Chechen delegates said that the Moscow and Nazran armistice agreements had become "mere pieces of paper" as Russian troops are actually increasing... MORE

Baltic leaders yesterday welcomed Boris Yeltsin's reelection for which they had hoped all along, but expressed uncertainty about Russia's political prospects and the future of Baltic-Russian relations. Latvian president Guntis Ulmanis cabled congratulations to Yeltsin but told the press he was worried about the growing... MORE

The Russian Duma yesterday held the first of what are expected to be five to six closed meetings on military reform, a member of the defense committee told the press. According to retired Col. General Eduard Vorobev, among those attending the meeting were Duma chairman... MORE

On the eve of Russia's July 3 presidential election, the U.S. government called on Moscow to ensure the maintenance of religious freedom in Russia. "We fully expect whatever government emerges will see religious freedom as a right for all people," a State Department spokesman said... MORE

Chernomyrdin has also hardened his position on Kremlin security chief Aleksandr Lebed. In response to Lebed's calls for more powers for his Security Council, the prime minister told the BBC that he had no intention of ceding any of his powers. (BBC, July 4) Chernomyrdin... MORE

For all their public enthusiasm, however, world leaders also evidenced concern over both Yeltsin's suspect health and the growing influence within the Kremlin of strongman Aleksandr Lebed. On the first count, a top Japanese government spokesman said yesterday that "all countries are paying close attention"... MORE

Zyuganov grudgingly acknowledged defeat July 3, sending Yeltsin a telegram congratulating him on his victory. Zyuganov told journalists that the fact that 33 million people had voted for the candidate of the national-patriotic bloc should ensure that a number of key posts in a coalition... MORE