Politics How Putin Conquered Russia's Oligarchy In 2000, Vladimir Putin began targeting oligarchs who did not bend to his authority. The loyalists who remained — and new ones who subsequently got rich — became like ATM machines for the president. Greg Rosalsky
'If we get in trouble, we won't call NATO or the US. We'll call the Ukrainians' As Russia continues its violent invasion of Ukraine, the people of another former Soviet state are bracing for the war to reach them. Angela King
World A top Russian journalist found a pig's head and antisemitic slur left at his door It was the latest in a series of acts of intimidation in Russia aimed at journalists and critics of the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. NPR Staff
National U.S. officially declares that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine "Based on information currently available, the U.S. government assesses that members of Russia's forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Deepa Shivaram
World What the city of Mariupol means for Ukraine — and for Russia's military campaign Ukraine's Mariupol has been battered by Russian airstrikes. Why is this city so important? The reasons range from geographic and strategic, to economic and psychological. Laurel Wamsley
World When Russia shelled their building in Mariupol, 13 neighbors banded together to flee Before the war, Mariupol residents Tetiana Myhalyova and metalworker Victor Perederiy had never met. But after sheltering for weeks without heat or water, they decided to escape together. Becky Sullivan
Sports A Russian chess champion has been suspended over his pro-war comments The International Chess Federation says Sergey Karjakin damaged the reputation of the organization and chess itself by supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine on social media. Rachel Treisman
Politics How 'shock therapy' created Russian oligarchs and paved the path for Putin In the 1990s, reformers adopted a radical economic program in Russia. It devastated ordinary Russians and created a new class of oligarchs. And it explains the rise of Putin and the leader he is today Greg Rosalsky
Politics Putin's puffy coat and Zelenskyy's T-shirts show the power of fashion in war President Vladimir Putin's coat and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy's T-shirts can be considered political statements. Fernando Alfonso III
Politics Here are the CEOs who were briefed by the White House on the war in Ukraine The group discussed ways to "mitigate price increases on American consumers" caused by the war and the need to address disruptions to energy and agricultural markets, the White House said. NPR Washington Desk
