December 14, 2025 – Russia Headlines

Story gist: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned and released 114 of 123 prisoners, including Maria Kolesnikova, Viktor Babariko, and Ales Belyatsky. The prisoners were sent to Ukraine in exchange for Belarusians and Russians after the US lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash exports.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza emphasizes 114 prisoners sent to Ukraine and Tikhanovskaya’s office claim of Lukashenko’s last-minute route change, suggesting unreliability. Center BBC focuses neutrally on prominent releases like Kolesnikova post-sanctions lift, highlighting key names. Right-leaning coverage absent, missing potential pro-Lukashenko framing tying exchange to Ukraine-Russia prisoner swaps positively.

Story gist: Russian forces reported destroying Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated 94 drones were downed, while other reports cited 41.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting the story. Center sources like Interfax neutrally relay the Russian Ministry of Defense’s claim of 94 drones destroyed. Right-leaning RZN.info emphasizes 41 drones downed in Russian skies at night, using precise phrasing that highlights defensive success with a lower figure, potentially downplaying scale.

Story gist: Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported neutralizing 41 Ukrainian Armed Forces drones overnight on December 12. Moscow Mayor Sobyanin announced destruction of another drone heading to Moscow, and Pskov Airport resumed operations.

Bias summary: Left-leaning RTVI emphasizes Ukrainian drones ‘attacking’ Moscow, framing it as an assault with a ‘what is known’ rundown. Center Interfax focuses solely on Pskov Airport resuming work, highlighting quick recovery and normalcy. Right-leaning mos.ru stresses Sobyanin’s report of successful drone destruction, underscoring effective Russian defense without mentioning total count.

Story gist: The European Union decided to indefinitely freeze Russian assets. Italy opposes sending the frozen assets to Ukraine.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like theins.ru emphasize the EU’s decisive indefinite freeze of Russian assets, portraying unified action. Center sources like Radio Svoboda report the freeze neutrally as an indefinite measure. Right-leaning Finances Mail focuses on Italy’s opposition to transferring assets to Ukraine per Politico, highlighting internal EU discord and resistance over asset use.

Story gist: BKS Express reported the week’s leading stock rose 8% and the laggard fell 8%. The article analyzed factors influencing performance and future prospects.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting any partisan framing of stock market movements. Center outlet BKS Express used a neutral, data-driven title emphasizing performance metrics (+8%, -8%), factors, and prospects without ideological tone or emphasis. Absence of left/right lanes leaves only factual financial analysis, missing potential progressive critiques or conservative market optimism.