Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

As Ukraine gears up for presidential elections on Sunday 17 January, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Russian has mounted major multimedia programming, covering opinions and expectations ahead of the poll, the election day itself – and looking at the elections in the context of Russian-Ukrainian relations.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Russian coverage of the pre-election campaign and the elections – on radio on Pyatiy Etazh (The Fifth Floor), Vam Slovo (Over To You), Utro na Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (Morning With The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ), Vecher na Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (Evening With The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ), and online on bbcrussian.com – includes interviews, in-depth analysis and audience forums, examining the issues facing the Ukrainian electorate and Ukraine's relations with its neighbour, Russia.

Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Russian, Sarah Gibson, says: "The relations between the two countries are at the top of the news agenda in both Russia and Ukraine, and these elections present a huge interest to regional and international Russian-speaking audiences.

"The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Russian multimedia team is inviting its audiences, on radio, online and on mobile phones, to talk about the possible outcome – and the change it may bring about in the relations between the two countries."

Highlights include:

A link-up between Moscow and Kiev, engaging the students of journalism at Kiev State University with their peers at Moscow State University in a dialogue about the elections and the relations between the two countries, on the flagship interactive programme, Vam Slovo, on Friday 15 January;

Discussions with Ukraine's leading journalists writing about media – Nataliya Ligacheva, Vladimir Kaluga and Ostap Krivdyk – on the subject of the pre-election campaign and media;

A broadcast from a small Ukrainian village, Shampan, talking to the residents about their expectations from politicians and campaigning in the provinces;

Video interviews on bbcrussian.com with celebrities, whose fame spans both countries and beyond, including the boxer, Vitaly Klichko, and the singers, Taisiya Povaliy and Ruslana.

The special programming across Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Russian multimedia content culminates on the elections day with up-to-the-minute reporting from Ukraine and commentary from key analysts and opinion-makers in Ukraine and Russia.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Publicity