Former Soviet Union

Putin says Ukraine war is ending but the global order has already shifted - opinion

Ukraine war may be winding down, but its impact on global politics is already irreversible.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a press conference in Moscow, Russia May 9, 2026.
A Satellite image shows a likely oil spill covering dozens of square kilometers near Iran’s Kharg Island, earlier this month.

In double trouble: Iran’s oil crisis – opinion

FIVE JEWISH couples get married in Brazil on Lag Ba'omer.

Five Jewish couples marry in Brazil in front of 900 young Jews from former Soviet Union

A member of the Chornobyl nuclear plant staff places a candle at a memorial dedicated to firefighters and workers who died after the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster, during a night commemorative service to mark its 40th anniversary, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Slavutych,  April 26, 2026.

Ukraine marks 40 years since Chernobyl disaster amid war fears


SSY: Helping Russian-speaking olim integrate into Israel

For the past 12 years, SSY has been creating welcoming educational and empowering communities throughout Israel that remind young Russian-speaking olim of the reasons why they made aliyah.

 Young Russian-speaking volunteers help newer immigrants navigate life in Israel. Hedva Agapova, SSY Jerusalem Volunteer Coordinator, with Linda Pardes Friedburg

Passover: Former Soviet Union Jews finding freedom in Israel

Do Jews who come to Israel find inner freedom or do they become hostages of the situation? I spoke with Jews from the post-Soviet Union who have recently made aliyah.

 A woman points to her relatives’ names on the memorial wall at Yad Vashem on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

US Jews don't recognize the impact of Russian immigrants on Israel

The stories of these human rights legends, who have profoundly influenced Israeli society, politics, and American Jewry, are underestimated.

 Google co-founder Sergey Brin at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos in 2017.

Russia to produce, modernize over 1,600 tanks - Putin

Russia claims that the United States is currently producing 14,000-15,000 shells every month. They believe that the US will be producing up to 75,000 shells by 2025.

 A tank of pro-Russian troops drives along a road near burnt-out residential buildings in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 5, 2022.

Diaspora Week: Questions to ask about Jews from the former Soviet Union - opinion

This complex migration picture has presented the state of Israel, European and American Jewry, as well as regional and international Jewish organizations with complex questions.

 ALIYAH AND INTEGRATION Minister Ofir Sofer takes over from Pnina Tamano-Shata at a handover ceremony at the ministry, in Jerusalem, on January 1. ‘Is Israel ready to accept new waves of olim?’

2023 sees 434% increase in aliyah from the former Soviet Union - Jewish Agency

This stark increase is accompanied by a decrease in aliyah from western countries.

UKRAINIAN OLIM arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport last month.

Purim 1953 in the USSR: When Joseph Stalin had his fatal stroke

Joseph Stalin had a stroke and collapsed in his dacha on Purim, March 1, 1953, possibly assisted by someone in his inner circle. He died four days later.

 A photograph of Stalin taken in 1937.

Russia replacing armor losses with 1960s Soviet tanks -UK intel

Russian tank divisions are being provided with old T-62 main battle tanks, including units in the 1st Guards Tank Army, which the UK described as supposedly being "Russia's premier tank force."

 A tank of pro-Russian troops drives along a road near burnt-out residential buildings in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 5, 2022.

Grapevine February 22, 2023: A matter of timing

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

Irwin Cotler, Canada’s new Special Envoy for Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism.

Aliyah from Russia still high: More than 5,000 immigrants in January

The number of immigrants from Russia isn't coming down - in fact, this January saw the second most immigrants in a month since the war broke out.

 New immigrants from USA and Canada arrive on a special " Aliyah Flight 2016" on behalf of Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, at Ben Gurion airport in central Israel on August 17, 2016,