The deputy chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' (MVD) administration for economic crimes, Konstantin Shapenkov, said that the Duma's reluctance to adopt MVD-sponsored amendments to banking legislation is allowing Duma deputy Sergei Mavrodi and others responsible for financial pyramid schemes to evade prosecution and... MORE

The Russian mass media continue to discuss this month's hot topic, the list of 2,200 prominent public figures of the new Russia which allegedly were secret informers of the KGB. According to this list, eleven active and former ministers, two nationally-known regional leaders, some leading... MORE

According to analysts from the Armed Forces General Staff, the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky continues to rank first in the sympathies of Russia's military servicemen, closely followed by Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov. The General Staff analysts also noted the increasing popularity... MORE

Drawing a clear distinction between the "irreconcilable opposition" and the Congress of Russian Communities led by Yuri Skokov and Lt. General Aleksandr Lebed, a semi-official daily which usually reflects the government's viewpoint advocates an alliance between the CRC and the governmental "Russia is Our Home"... MORE

The chief of the Presidential administration, Sergei Filatov, told the media that Boris Yeltsin is closely monitoring the course of the Russian electoral campaign without intervening in it. He said that the president is generally satisfied with the campaign, but would like to see the... MORE

Russian correspondents, including Segodnya's Maria Eysmont, described to Western correspondents in Grozny her recent visit to a temporary prison near the Chechen capital, where Chechen civilians are being held by the Russian military. Most detainees appeared to have been arrested on mere suspicion or for... MORE

An anonymous Defense Ministry spokesman told the media that he has proof that the explosion in the Sarajevo marketplace which generated massive NATO air strikes on Serb positions in Bosnia was "staged" by Western intelligence services. According to the spokesman, Russian military intelligence (GRU) has... MORE

The anniversary of Chechen independence passed relatively calmly in most regions of the republic, without any major incidents reported. On the eve of the anniversary, Russian military authorities imposed strict security measures in and around Grozny. Massive Russian patrols were joined by forces commanded by... MORE

According to Russia's State Statistics Committee, Russia's energy producers owed the federal budget over 6.5 trillion rubles ($1.4 billion) in overdue payments as of August 1. GRU Accuses Western Intelligence of "Provocation" in Bosnia.

Germany's prestigious Nuernberg Prize, which honors work for human rights, has been awarded this year to Russian human rights defender Sergei Kovalev. The prize will be presented to Kovalev at a special ceremony September 17 by Czech president Vaclav Havel. Russian Sub Launches Trial Missile.