Svetlana Kurakina

Svetlana Kurakina is a political correspondent at Russia Today.
 
Since joining the channel in January 2006, Svetlana has covered a wide range of stories, including Montenegro’s independence referendum, the anti-NATO protests in Crimea and Russia’s 2014 Winter Olympics bid in Sochi.
 
During several trips to Moldova and the Moldovan breakaway republic of  Transdniester, she provided a series of reports on the region's political and economic situation and covered its 2006 presidential elections.
 
In March 2006, Svetlana was granted a rare opportunity to interview Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during which they discussed the Islamic Republic’s stance on nuclear non-proliferation, relations with Russia and the West.

In August 2006 Svetlana reported live from Beirut on the Middle East crisis. Travelling across the country, she's made a series of reports on foreign nationals fleeing Lebanon, told the stories of air strikes survivors and reported on the plight of the country’s refugees.

Svetlana often reports from the high-profile international gatherings, including the G8 summits in St. Petersburg and Heiligendamm.

Svetlana holds a first class bachelors degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and a masters degree in Politics from Birkbeck College, University of London and speaks fluent English and French.
 
She is a keen horse rider and enjoys photography and traveling.