Russian state media

A Russian newspaper is warning of a "deterioration of the economic situation" in Russia, a striking admission from the country's own press. BBC's Steve Rosenberg highlighted the warning, which is drawing wide attention as observers weigh what it signals about the state of Russia's wartime economy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of carrying out provocations that are escalating tensions, remarks reported by Chinese state media outlets China Daily and its global edition. The comments come as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, with both sides trading blame over the deteriorating situation on the ground and stalled prospects for peace.

The Russian government has submitted to the State Duma its draft budget for the next three-year period. Alongside the budget push, the cabinet approved rules for autonomous delivery robots under a pilot regime and earmarked 1.2 billion roubles to support Dagestan's agro-industrial sector, while the Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund projects revenues above 5 trillion roubles for 2027.

The General Assembly of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has voted not to lift the suspension of the Chess Federation of Russia, keeping Russian players and officials barred from international competition under the Russian flag. The decision was reported by Russian state news agency TASS, which described the outcome as a refusal to reinstate the national federation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Germany is interested in receiving oil supplies from Kazakhstan, according to Vedomosti. The statement is drawing attention amid Europe's ongoing search for alternatives to Russian energy, with Russian-language media also picking up the remarks.

Kaliningrad region is in the news after Interfax reported that countries of the Persian Gulf are interested in developing tourism cooperation with the Russian exclave. The report points to growing interest from Gulf states in Kaliningrad as a travel destination and potential partner, drawing attention in Russia to the region's tourism prospects.

Tennessee was unable to carry out what would have been the first execution of a woman in the state in 200 years. The planned execution of Krista Pike, convicted of a 2015 murder, did not proceed, drawing attention to the case across Russian-language media including Radio Svoboda. Discussion centers on the rare prospect of executing a female inmate and the legal reasons for the halt.

Latvia's parliament has adopted amendments to minority-language rules that sharply limit the use of Russian in the country's public-service media. Under the new law, state broadcasters may produce Russian-language content only during a state of emergency or for the targeted debunking of disinformation. The move reflects Latvia's broader effort to reduce Russian influence in public life amid tensions linked to the war in Ukraine.

Latvia could potentially host NATO nuclear weapons on its territory, according to reports circulating in regional media. The claim, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift in the alliance's posture on its eastern flank, near the Russian border. Little detail has been provided about the conditions, timing, or whether Latvian officials have discussed such an arrangement, and reaction from NATO member states remains unclear.

Lithuania is living under the shadow of possible Russian aggression, with emergency sirens tested across the country, residents keeping evacuation plans and go-bags ready, and two US battalions arriving in the country. Lithuanian media are filled with security news, while Baltic states jointly call on Russia to 'come to its senses'. Despite the tensions, life continues with a degree of calm, as society balances everyday routine with growing military preparedness.

Reporters Without Borders brought together EU institutions and exiled Russian journalists in Brussels to promote the Svoboda satellite package, an initiative designed to bypass Kremlin censorship and deliver independent news to audiences in Russia and occupied territories. The event underlines growing EU interest in supporting exiled media as Russian state propaganda tightens its grip on domestic information channels.

Ukraine has published photographs of hundreds of Russian prisoners of war, prompting visible discomfort among Kremlin-linked propagandists. State-controlled Russian media are complaining about what they call a 'frivolous' tone in coverage, and commentators acknowledge the images amount to a real setback that must be admitted as an actual defeat. The episode highlights the gap between official Russian war narratives and the reality on the battlefield.

At the UN in New York on Wednesday 23 September, a reporter from Russian state television repeatedly shouted at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, asking: "When are we going to Moscow?" Zelensky eventually responded over the interruptions. The tense exchange, captured on camera, highlights the hostility surrounding Ukrainian-Russian diplomacy and drew attention online amid ongoing coverage of the war.