Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Free media in unfree societies. Local reporting and intensive coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, unrest in Iran, Taliban in Afghanistan, and more.

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Hidden in a smuggled KGB archive is an espionage mystery few have ever heard of.

Frederick Flott was a former CIA officer, a US diplomat, and Robert F. Kennedy's interpreter on a Soviet road trip.

But newly examined KGB archive files suggest Flott may have secretly passed classified information to Moscow during the Cold War. His family insists there's another explanation.

Was he a KGB spy or a double agent?

By @Mike_Eckel

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif said a Washington-Tehran deal was closer than ever, setting expectations for a breakthrough within 24 hours. But Iranian officials disputed the timeline as renewed regional tensions tested the ceasefire.

https://t.co/qpx4V4zJnO

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Ukraine's summer beach city, Odesa, will welcome visitors for the summer season, offering a temporary respite to war-weary Ukrainains. But getting ready for the season is a tough job: along the coastline, emergency divers are removing debris from downed Russian drones.

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written on social media that a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is expected within the next 24 hours.

Sharif, a key mediator in the negotiations, repeated his claim that agreement was now closer than ever. The last 24 hours have also seen indications from senior US and Iranian officials that diplomatic progress has moved rapidly forward.

🔴 Live updates: https://t.co/YbSESNLVeq

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

A statement by the judiciary in Iran’s Isfahan Province has announced that the property of 100 people it describes as “traitors” will be confiscated, Iranian media reported.

The statement on June 13 claims the people have been supporting “enemies of Iran,” according to state-run IRIB broadcaster. It added that they were “disrupting” the economy, without providing details.

For several weeks now, the Iranian authorities have announced similar measures against hundreds of people -- part of a wider crackdown that has seen thousands of arrests and dozens of executions of political prisoners.

Live updates: https://t.co/YbSESNLVeq

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

“Not all strikes are equal” --analysts say Ukraine’s strike strategy has got smarter in 2026, and Russia is feeling the pinch.

By @rayfurlong

https://t.co/uIzn4ToIDo

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Officially, the talks started in June 2024, but the opening and closing of six clusters, which include 33 policy chapters, have been on hold for the better part of two years due to a Hungarian veto.

https://t.co/ERavWbLILY

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

The director of US National Intelligence (DNI) has released evidence that her office says shows "longstanding" United States government funding for more than 120 biolabs in over 30 countries where research on biological pathogens, some dangerous, is conducted. https://t.co/itijAEzRZR

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

For the first time in 23 years, the Russia Day concert just outside the Kremlin has been canceled, moved to a much less conspicuous indoor location, with far fewer big-name acts.

It’s not the only marquee event that’s been scratched this year.
https://t.co/tad2oXSQv5

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

🔴 Iranian Foreign Minister Says US Deal With Tehran Is Within Reach

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said that an agreement with the United States to formally end the Middle East war was close, despite a public dispute over the contents of a proposed deal which prompted US President Donald Trump to accuse Tehran of negotiating in bad faith.

https://t.co/eYZgnbLiiz

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

When Schemes asked Kucherenko on camera whether he saw a conflict of interest, he responded with expletives and ended the interview.

In writing, he said he saw no conflict of interest.
6/6🧵
https://t.co/HeRoeJjV8C

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Ukraine's biggest wartime corruption scandal just got a new layer. Wiretap transcripts obtained by RFE/RL's investigative unit @cxemu show two key suspects discussed enlisting a sitting lawmaker to protect their alleged kickback scheme.
1/6🧵

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Separately, Schemes found that Kucherenko sold a large central Kyiv apartment to the wife of a key Midas figure at roughly half its market value.

The building also housed a clinic investigators claim was used as one of several locations where suspects received cash kickbacks.
5/6🧵

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Iran’s state-affiliated Mehr news agency claimed on June 12, citing an unnamed official source, that a draft memorandum between Iran and the US includes:

- Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons

- A permanent halt to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon

- A reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days

- 60 days of negotiations to reach a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.

However, reports from Iranian state media during negotiations have often been used to float ideas or advance particular positions -- and have frequently proven to be inaccurate or incomplete.

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Russia remains influential, but the numbers tell a clear story: under Xi, China has moved from being a neighboring power to a central player in Central Asia’s future ⬇️⬇️
5/5🧵
https://t.co/8twGJLFRuW

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

China has transformed its relationship with Central Asia under Xi Jinping. When Xi took power in 2012, Beijing was an important economic partner. Today, it’s arguably the region’s most consequential outside power.
1/5🧵

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty @RFERL]

Much of this shift traces back to 2013, when Xi unveiled the Silk Road Economic Belt in Kazakhstan, what later evolved into the Belt and Road Initiative.

Since then, Chinese investment, trade links, infrastructure projects, and political engagement have expanded across the region.
4/5🧵