We know you're busy and probably don't have the time to read all of our coverage each and every day. That's why we've put together The Week's Best. Here are some of the highlights produced in English by RFE/RL's vast team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven days.

As Ukraine War Persists, Many Russians See Their Hopes Of Gas Heating Going Up In Smoke

For decades, Russia's government has been promising people in the coldest regions of Siberia and the Far East access to natural gas for heating. But the Ukraine war, which has eviscerated Gazprom’s profits and diverted public money to defense production, has many doubting they will live to see it. By RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities and Robert Coalson

See Also:

Interview: Russia's War On Ukraine Could Drag On For Years

The Remote Villages Where Ethnic Russians And Ukrainians Live Together In The Shadow Of War

How A Serb Accused In High-Profile Italian Jailbreak Ended Up At Russia's North Pole Camp

How did an obscure Serbian businessman end up at the North Pole less than three weeks after allegedly helping spring a politically connected Russian businessman from Italian house arrest? As the saying goes, it's complicated. By Mike Eckel, Maja Zivanovic, Mark Krutov, and Sergei Dobrynin

'A Big Betrayal': Afghan Women Sound The Alarm Ahead Of Key International Event That Will Include Taliban

Afghan women’s rights activists have voiced their concerns ahead of a major international event on Afghanistan that will include the Taliban. Rights campaigners have accused the UN of legitimizing the Taliban by inviting the extremist group to the June 30-July 1 meeting. By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and Abubakar Siddique

Outspoken Iranian Filmmaker Explains Why She's Boycotting Presidential Election

Mojgan Ilanlou, a Tehran-based filmmaker and women's rights activist, is among the millions of disillusioned Iranians who will not vote in the presidential election on June 28. The outspoken Ilanlou said boycotting the ballot box was a form of peaceful civil protest. By RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Afghan Refugee Hasn't Saved '5 Pennies' During Decades In Pakistan

On World Refugee Day, the plight of millions of displaced Afghans is illustrated by Abdul Raziq, a bricklayer at a kiln in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan Province. Having fled his homeland decades ago, Raziq has done backbreaking manual labor for years, but he still struggles to get by. But going back to Afghanistan would be worse, he said. By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, Samad Shabnam, and Will Tizard

Surprise Acquittals: Is Kyrgyzstan's Hard-Line Leader Going Soft?

As one highly politicized trial in Kyrgyzstan came to an end -- concluding in acquittals for more than 20 defendants who were detained in 2022 -- 11 journalists are now preparing to learn their fate following their own arrests on similar charges. By Chris Rickleton

Montenegro's Illegal Dumping Problem Tarnishes Its Eco Aspirations

Although Montenegro's constitution declares the country an "ecological state," its wild Balkan meadows and mountains are littered with illegal dump sites. Hundreds of unofficial landfills pollute the environment, despite the country's national tourism slogan "Wild Beauty." The EU-candidate nation will have to raise its recycling rate from 1 percent to 50 percent by 2030 to be eligible for membership. By RFE/RL's Balkan Service, Nikola Borozan, Aleksandar Ljumovic, and Will Tizard

Despite No End In Sight To Russian Occupation, Ukraine Plans Mariupol's Rebirth

Given the fact that Ukrainian forces have been unable to reclaim much territory since a counteroffensive in the fall of 2022, liberating Mariupol seems to be a distant prospect for now. But city officials say Russian occupation does not affect the vision of reconstruction. By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Pedal Power: Armenia's Pashinian Escapes Political Turmoil On His Bike

With a large protest movement loudly demanding his resignation, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has a lot on his plate these days. He is choosing to relax -- or perhaps show that he is relaxed -- by embarking on a series of well-publicized rides on his bicycle. By Joshua Kucera

Kazakhstan's Shrinking Lake Balkhash Faces Fights On Several Fronts

As fishermen on the shores of Kazakhstan's Lake Balkhash put their nets away to observe an annual fishing ban last month, they had a lot to think about. Fish are fewer, the shore is receding, and the prospect of a nuclear power plant in the region looms large. By Chris Rickleton