November 15, 2025 – Russia Headlines

Story gist: The US Treasury Department extended the deadline for Russian oil company Lukoil to sell its foreign assets by three weeks. The extension follows the imposition of sanctions against the company.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza frames the extension as the US granting Lukoil additional time post-sanctions, emphasizing perceived leniency toward a Russian firm with a neutral to critical tone. Center outlet Vedomosti reports factually, mirroring the title without added emphasis. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential perspectives that might highlight national security concerns or criticize the delay in asset divestment.

Story gist: In Chelyabinsk, Russia, a court ruled that the Makhin family businessmen form an extremist association due to ties with the A.U.E. criminal group. Alexander Makhin was detained following the decision.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Novaya Gazeta Europe frame the story with emphasis on the Makhin family’s business background and potential overreach in labeling them extremists, highlighting connections to A.U.E. critically. Center sources such as Interfax report factually, focusing on the court ruling and detention without added context. Right-leaning coverage is absent, leaving a perspective on law enforcement actions or criminal justice unrepresented.

Story gist: A bill was introduced in Russia’s State Duma proposing fines up to 700,000 rubles for website owners allowing user authorization through foreign services. The measure targets authorization via overseas email and recommendation algorithms.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Meduza emphasize the proposal’s punitive aspect, highlighting fines up to 700,000 rubles to underscore restrictions on digital freedoms. Center sources such as Consultant.ru provide neutral detail on the bill’s scope, including authorization and algorithms, without judgment. Right-leaning coverage from Агентство городских новостей focuses concisely on the bill’s submission, omitting fine amounts and framing it as routine legislative action; no strong oppositional perspective is absent.

Story gist: Russian lawmakers proposed a bill to the State Duma exempting telecommunications operators from liability when disconnecting services due to unmanned aerial vehicle threats. The proposal requires operators to comply with Federal Security Service directives.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Meduza frame the story as the Russian government mandating operators to cut communications on FSB orders, emphasizing authoritarian control and potential civil liberties erosion. Center outlets like Interfax neutrally report the proposal to relieve operators of responsibility amid drone threats, focusing on security rationale without alarm. Right-leaning perspectives are absent, omitting views that might highlight national defense benefits.