Charles Maynes

Independent radio producer and reporter based in Moscow

Charles Maynes appears in the following:

A Russian court sentences WNBA star Brittney Griner to 9 years on drug charges

Thursday, August 04, 2022

The ruling came nearly six months after Griner was detained. Russia has indicated that any potential deal or prisoner swap to secure her release would have to wait until after a verdict in her case.

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Brittney Griner testifies about her medical marijuana prescription and chaotic arrest

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

The WNBA star took the stand in Russian court Wednesday to explain why she had vape cartridges in the first place, how they ended up in her luggage and what happened after they were discovered.

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In Moscow trial, Britney Griner is expected to testify in her own defense

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

WNBA star Britney Griner returns to court Wednesday. She's pleaded guilty to smuggling vape cartridges with hash oil into the country, but says she didn't intentionally break Russian law.

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Russia to quit the ISS after 2024

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Russia says it will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024. This echoes intentions previously set by Russia and comes amid tensions with the U.S. and the West over the war in Ukraine.

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The Kaliningrad region is a flashpoint for Russia's relationship with the West

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Amid NATO's expansion, and sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, there's increasing tension in Russia's Kaliningrad region, which is geographically isolated from the rest of the country.

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There soon may be a deal to free up Ukrainian grain shipments blocked by Russia

Friday, July 22, 2022

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russian has blocked shipment of grain. Negotiations have taken place for weeks, mediated by Turkey and the U.N., to oversee safe passage of the shipments.

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Brittney Griner's Russian teammates testified at her drug trial Thursday

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Brittney Griner's defense argued her case and defended her character in a Russian court on Thursday, one week after the WNBA star pleaded guilty to drug charges.

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Members of Brittney Griner's Russian team defend her character, on and off the court

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Griner appeared moved by the testimony of her friends, tearing up repeatedly during Thursday's proceedings. Her longtime team doctor added that Griner has never failed a drug test.

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Inside the courtroom at Brittney Griner's trial in Russia

Thursday, July 07, 2022

WNBA star Brittney Griner plead guilty to drug charges in Russian court Thursday.

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Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges

Thursday, July 07, 2022

The WNBA star admitted to bringing cannabis into Russia but said she had packed in a hurry and did not intend to break the law. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison.

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Russia and the U.S. engage in name-calling — over the U.S. Embassy's Moscow address

Wednesday, July 06, 2022

In response to the West's support of Ukraine, Moscow is renaming streets where the U.S. and British Embassies are located. The new names honor pro-Kremlin separatists fighting to break from Ukraine.

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WNBA star Brittney Griner begins trial in Moscow over drug charges

Saturday, July 02, 2022

Russian prosecutors outlined drug charges against WNBA star Brittney Griner when her trial started in Moscow on Friday. The Biden administration says she's being wrongly detained.

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Russian prosecutors call first witnesses in case against Brittney Griner

Friday, July 01, 2022

Griner, 31, is "a bit worried" because of the trial and the potential of a prison sentence, he lawyer tells NPR, "but she's a tough lady and I think she will manage."

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Tensions are on the rise between Russian and Europe's Baltic region

Thursday, June 30, 2022

The Kremlin is threatening to retaliate against NATO member state Lithuania, after the Baltic state decided to block some goods into a Russian territory known as Kaliningrad.

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Russian court extends Brittney Griner's detention

Monday, June 27, 2022

A Russian court has again extended the arrest of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner. Her trial on drug charges starts July 1.

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WNBA star Brittney Griner is seen at court, but Russia extends her detention again

Monday, June 27, 2022

The star with the U.S. Olympic and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury was bracketed by four security officers and a dog as she was led down a stairwell to a courtroom for Monday's hearing.

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Russia's Putin lashes out at the U.S. and claims victory over sanctions

Friday, June 17, 2022

The Russian president blamed the U.S. for fostering crises in global relations, food security, inflation and trade. He also said he had no objection to Ukraine's bid to join the European Union.

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Russia threatens to kick out U.S. journalists unless U.S. treats Russian media better

Thursday, June 09, 2022

Russia is warning foreign journalists that they could lose the right to stay unless the situation of Russian journalists in the U.S. improves.

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The leader of the African Union met with Putin to tackle the food crisis issue

Saturday, June 04, 2022

More than three months into the Ukraine war, one of its major consequences is taking the spotlight: growing concerns of a global food crisis.

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Volodymyr vs. Vladimir: How rival statues explain the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Thursday, June 02, 2022

Ukrainians call a legendary 10th-century ruler Volodymyr the Great. Russians call him Vladimir the Great. Here's a story on their dueling statues — and historical narratives — in Kyiv and Moscow.

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