Putin Coverage

Putin likely didn’t order death of Russian opposition leader Navalny, US official says

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn’t order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.

By AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press

Editorial: How steep a toll will Ukraine pay for needless delay in U.S. aid?

Thursday, April 25, 2024 -- President Joseph Biden well-knows that patience is a virtue. We can only hope, in the case of this latest aid to Ukraine, the cost of patience doesn't come at the expense of that nation's freedom and security.

Putin wins fifth term with record number of votes after leading harshest crackdown since the Soviet era

Vladimir Putin will be Russia's president for six more years after winning an election that followed the harshest crackdown since Soviet times.

Putin extends one-man rule in Russia after stage-managed election devoid of credible opposition

(CNN) — President Vladimir Putin has tightened his grip on the country he has ruled since the turn of the century, with results from Russia’s stage-managed election indicating a predictably large victory for the Kremlin leader in a result that was a foregone conclusion.

By Christian Edwards, CNN

US preparing to implement sanctions against Russia after death of Putin critic

The U.S. is now preparing for sanctions against Russia amid growing backlash to Alexei Navalny's death and the Ukraine war.

NBC News

DRAUGHON DRAWS: 'Do whatever the hell they want,' says Trump

Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Navalny’s Death Would Deprive Russia of Leading Opposition Voice

The death of Alexei Navalny, reported by the authorities in Russia on Friday, would leave the country without its most prominent opposition voice at a time when President Vladimir Putin has amassed near-total power, invaded neighboring Ukraine and drawn the sharpest divisions with U.S.-led Western allies since the end of the Cold War.

Anton Troianovski and Shashank Bengali, New York Times

Alexei Navalny, outspoken Putin critic, dies in prison

Alexei Navalny, the most outspoken domestic critic of President Vladimir Putin, has died in prison, Russian state media said Friday.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Taking a stand at the Berlin Wall. Taking a back seat in Conway, S.C.

Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: Sen. Budd's 'America First' threatens U.S. and allies security

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 -- If Sen. Ted Budd genuinely wanted to stand up for America, he'd make sure the nation kept its commitments and stood with our allies and those struggling to protect their borders and freedoms against totalitarian aggressors.

Editorial: N.C. representatives in Washington must reject Trump's talk of abandoning NATO allies

Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 -- To what degree do Republicans stand for the United States' integrity as a signer of the NATO alliance treaty, our nation's critical role in support of sovereignty in Europe and back our allies -- or are subservient to the whims and dictates of Donald Trump?

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny missing from prison, says his team

(CNN) -- Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who is imprisoned in a penal colony east of Moscow, has gone missing, his team says on X, and his whereabouts are unknown.

By Stephanie Halasz, CNN

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un meet in Russia

North Korea's Kim Jong Un vowed "full and unconditional support" for Russia's Vladimir Putin on Wednesday as the two leaders isolated by the West held a summit that the U.S. warned could lead to a deal to supply ammunition for Moscow's war in Ukraine.

THOMAS FRIEDMAN: Putin's the world's most dangerous fool

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 -- From the start of this war in Ukraine there has been only one place to be to understand its timing and direction -- and that's in Vladimir Putin's head. Unfortunately, Putin doesn't grant visas to his brain.

Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times

Vladimir Putin delivers high-profile speech

President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday that the West has unleashed "a real war" against Russia, reprising a familiar refrain at scaled-down Victory Day celebrations that may reflect the toll the Ukraine conflict is taking on his forces.

Biden: 'This war is never a necessity. It's a tragedy.'

President Joe Biden makes remarks at the Royal Palace Gardens in Warsaw, Poland, leading up to the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion on Ukraine.

Fact check: Putin says Russia 'has not lost anything' by invading Ukraine

When a journalist asked him how Russia has fared since its invasion of the neighboring country, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied it had suffered any loss at all. PolitiFact checks his claim.

Jeff Cercone, PolitiFact reporter

Russia's War Has Been Brutal, but Putin Has Shown Some Restraint. Why?

Russia's war against Ukraine has leveled cities, killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions of others from their homes.

Anton Troianovski and Julian E. Barnes, New York Times

President Biden's remark on Vladimir Putin sends shock waves on final day of trip

At nearly the same moment President Joe Biden declared him a "butcher," Vladimir Putin's missiles began falling in Lviv, Ukraine.

By Kevin Liptak, CNN

Fact check: Theory claims Putin out to crush 'child traffickers in Ukraine'

According to one narrative being shared on social media, Russia has a noble aim for its war against Ukraine: to end child trafficking there. PolitiFact reviews Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims.

Luiz Romero, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Liberal group says Trump committed treason, GOP supports Putin

The progressive veterans advocacy group VoteVets has launched an attack ad that seeks to tie former President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans to Russian President Vladimir Putin. PolitiFact checks its claims.

Tom Kertscher, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: McCrory says Budd 'excused' Putin's actions in Ukraine

A new campaign ad by U.S. Senate candidate Pat McCrory accuses U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, his opponent in the GOP primary, of excusing Russia's actions in Ukraine. PolitiFact NC checks the claim.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Elon Musk challenges Vladimir Putin to 'single combat'

Musk took to Twitter to issue his challenge. He used Cyrillic letters to write "Vladimir Putin" and "Ukraine"

Editorial: Stand for freedom and honest elections, NC GOP. Censure Cawthorn and Meadows

Monday, March 14, 2022 -- The N.C. Republican Party is uniquely positioned to make a strong and emphatic statement showing it stands with those who yearn for democracy, liberty and the rule of law. The state party's central committee needs to convene and vote to censure U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn and former U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows for their statements and actions that are out of step with the majority of Republicans, North Carolinians and Americans.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Inside Putin

Monday, March 14, 2022 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.