Also known as: Vladimir Putin · President Vladimir Putin · Russian President Vladimir Putin · Russian counterpart · President Putin · his Russian counterpart · Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin · Mr Putin
Russian president central to coverage of Ukraine war, peace negotiations, and Russia's regional military and economic expansion across Africa and Central Asia.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Putin
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
President Vladimir Putin set up Association for Economic Cooperation with African Countries in 2020
“This a Russia-Africa trade and business networking body set up by Russia's President Vladimir Putin in 2020 – part of broader Russian efforts to maintain and build relationships with countries outside the West.”
Russia to open more cultural centres in Africa as it seeks to broaden influenceThe Namibian
Putin seized in 2014 Crimea peninsula
“Ukraine's "influence" efforts also include Crimea, the peninsula which Putin seized in 2014 and which is deeply important to him personally.”
Zelensky to press Nato for air defence systems after intense Russian strikesInformanté
President Vladimir Putin authorised start of construction works
“The ceremony was held via video link connecting the construction site with St. Petersburg, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev authorised the start of works.”
First export small modular nuclear plant breaks ground in UzbekistanThe Namibian
President Vladimir Putin has touted Max as a more "secure" platform
“President Vladimir Putin has touted it as a more "secure" platform that meets Russia's demand for "technological sovereignty".”
Apple removes Russian messenger from App StoreNew Era
Russia's president Vladimir Putin condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a violation of international law
“Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, condemned the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a violation of international law, while China strongly criticised the strikes and called for de-escalation.”
‘War on Iran threatens global economy’New Era
Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the killing of Khamenei as a 'cynical violation' of morality and law
“Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday slammed the killing of Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes as a "cynical violation" of morality and law.”
Iran vows revenge for slain supreme leaderThe Namibian
Putin called the invasion a 'special military operation'
“On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and Putin called it a 'special military operation'.”
War and the price of fuel in NamibiaThe Namibian
Putin had amassed 180,000 troops at the borders of Ukraine by November 2021
“In November 2021 Putin had already amassed 180 000 troops at the borders of Ukraine.”
War and the price of fuel in NamibiaInformanté
Putin is waging war of attrition against innocent civilian population
“It is the behaviour of the Kremlin, waging a war of attrition against an innocent civilian population.”
Namibia-based European ambassadors reaffirm support for Ukraine, urge end to warThe Namibian
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to help return South African nationals who travelled to Ukraine to join Russian troops
“On Tuesday, the South African government said Russian President Vladimir Putin had pledged to help return South African nationals who had travelled to Ukraine to join Russian troops.”
Kenya to confront Russia over ‘unacceptable' use of its nationals in combatRussia is opening eight of 11 new "Russian Houses" in Africa to promote Russian language, education, science and culture, complementing its military and security partnerships with West African military governments and African Corps operations.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Russia is opening eight of 11 new "Russian Houses" in Africa to promote Russian language, education, science and culture, complementing its military and security partnerships with West African military governments and African Corps operations.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Ukraine's president plans to urge NATO allies at a summit in Turkey to deliver air defence systems needed to protect against escalating Russian attacks, following Russian missile strikes on Kyiv that killed more than 50 civilians. Zelensky also plans to meet with Donald Trump to press for pressure on Russia to enter peace talks.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
ROSATOM has begun construction of the world's first export small modular nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh Region, with the first concrete poured on 4 June 2026. Once completed, the plant is expected to supply up to 14% of Uzbekistan's electricity demand and offers a reference point for other uranium-producing nations, including Namibia, exploring nuclear power options.
14 June 2026 · Informanté →
Apple has removed Russia's state-backed Max messenger from its App Store. Moscow has promoted Max, which lacks encryption, while throttling WhatsApp and Telegram, and forcing state institutions to use it for communications.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Peter Magyar's Tisza party won a decisive parliamentary majority with record turnout, ending Viktor Orban's 16-year rule. Magyar, a political newcomer promising to restore democratic checks and balance, pledged to put Hungary "back on track" with Europe after Orban's clash with the EU over rule-of-law and Ukraine.
14 April 2026 · New Era →
Military escalation between the US, Israel and Iran threatens global oil supplies and raises risks for fuel-importing Namibia, particularly if conflict disrupts the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts urge Namibia to build strategic fuel reserves, diversify suppliers beyond the Gulf region and accelerate renewable energy investment to cushion against price shocks.
2 March 2026 · New Era →
Iranian officials have vowed to avenge Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in US and Israeli strikes, with President Masoud Pezeshkian calling it a "declaration of war against Muslims" and pledging Iran's "legitimate duty" to punish those responsible. Across the region, pro-Iran groups and militias have launched or threatened attacks on US bases, while Iraq—caught between US and Iranian influence—announced a three-day mourning period and urged restraint amid escalating military tensions.
2 March 2026 · New Era →
Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused Namibian fuel prices to rise 83% between April 2021 and February 2022, driving inflation from 3.1% to 4.8% and forcing interest rate increases that burden households and businesses. Current unrest in Iran and tensions in the Middle East pose similar risks to Namibia's oil-dependent economy, with prolonged price spikes potentially damaging growth.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Six European ambassadors accredited to Namibia have issued a joint opinion piece expressing solidarity with Ukraine and urging that Russia cease its war of aggression in 2026. The statement details the humanitarian toll, including the forced transfer of approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children by Russia, widespread civilian casualties, and disruptions to global food security and energy exports.
25 February 2026 · Informanté →
Four Russian soldiers have told the BBC they witnessed commanders executing fellow troops for refusing orders, subjecting resisters to torture and starvation, and conducting waves of mass assaults they describe as suicide missions with devastating casualties.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the BBC that Vladimir Putin has already started World War Three and must be stopped through intense military and economic pressure, rejecting Russian demands for territorial concessions as abandonment of Ukrainian people and positions. Zelensky argues that a ceasefire allowing Putin to recover would only delay further conflict, and insists that Ukraine's victory depends on restoring its independence and borders, though he acknowledges this requires time, weapons support from Western partners, and security guarantees.
23 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Four South African men lured into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine returned home Wednesday following talks between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Vladimir Putin. The foreign ministry said the men had worked for private security companies in Russia and were released after their contracts were cancelled, with authorities working to secure the return of remaining men from a larger group of 17.
20 February 2026 · New Era →
Insurgencies in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have killed over 10,000 people and displaced more than 3 million across the Sahel region. Ivory Coast has sheltered over 80,000 refugees from Burkina Faso alone, though camps designed for 6,000 now hold around 13,000 people and resources are under severe strain.
12 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Kenya's Foreign Minister has called the recruitment of Kenyan citizens to fight in the Ukraine war "unacceptable and clandestine," and says Nairobi will urge Russia to sign a deal banning conscription of Kenyan soldiers. The Kenyan government estimates around 200 of its nationals have been recruited to fight for Russia, with 27 so far repatriated and authorities struggling to retrieve the remains of those killed.
11 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Chinese leader Xi Jinping held consecutive calls with Russia's Putin and US president Trump this week, a rare move analysts say demonstrates China positioning itself as equidistant between the two powers while securing trade commitments. The timing is seen as significant for projecting stability and Xi's global standing, particularly as China faces domestic political pressures.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe is named in recently released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including an email suggesting Epstein could approach Mugabe about providing Zimbabwe with a new currency, and unverified FBI testimony claiming Epstein was Mugabe's wealth manager. Being named in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing, and experts have questioned the accuracy of some claims in the documents.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Russian, Ukrainian, and US negotiators met in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to discuss a Trump administration proposal to end the war. Both sides remain deadlocked over control of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, with Russia demanding full Ukrainian withdrawal and Kyiv rejecting such terms.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →
US President Donald Trump withdrew an invitation for Canada to join his newly established 'Board of Peace' international organization, following tensions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over economic coercion and global power dynamics. Canada had indicated willingness to join but declined to pay a proposed $1 billion membership fee for permanent members.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Following a Moscow visit by Namibia's International Relations Minister, the two countries are shifting their historic political relationship toward structured economic partnership. Discussions centred on mining, energy, agriculture, and logistics, with particular focus on uranium cooperation through Russia's Rosatom, which plans exploration by 2026 and commercial mining by 2029, while bilateral trade nearly doubled in 2024 to US$11.7 million.
20 January 2026 · New Era →
An RT opinion piece argues that last week's Paris meeting of Western supporters of Ukraine produced only a non-binding declaration with no new security guarantees or American commitments, leaving Ukraine's defence strategy unchanged. The author contends that Western European ambitions have generated "information noise" rather than real leverage, while Washington maintains a pragmatic focus on financial and commercial interests.
16 January 2026 · New Era →
Key European countries and US envoys met with President Zelensky in Paris to discuss security guarantees for a potential ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine, as representatives from 35 nations, including 27 heads of state, gathered to show alignment on Ukraine's post-war settlement.
7 January 2026 · New Era →