TODAY: Deadly mine explosion kills 30, 60 remain trapped; metro attack remembered; Medvedev highlights unity and conciliation at Victory Day celebrations; NATO soldiers present, but did the US and GB face a snub?  Katyn documents handed over; adoptions to US to continue; Magnitsky hearing in US; Alexeyeva and Kasparov named top dissidents.

Two explosions at Russia’s largest coal mine, the Raspadskaya mine in Siberia, part-owned by Roman Abramovich, have reportedly killed 30 people.  Apparently 60 people remain trapped after the blasts, which were presumed to be caused by methane.  Reuters suggests that Russia’s industrial accidents betray a ‘creaking infrastructure’.  Commemorations have taken place for the 40 victims of the Moscow metro attack, 40 days on.  ‘In recent years, Victory Day has been something of a barometer of Russia’s attitudes toward the West’ so would the invitation of allied soldiers at the parade imply that ties have improved?  The Guardian suggests that the US and Great Britain may have not benefited from Victory Day-inspired munificence.  The presence of NATO soldiers at the event apparently stirred the ire of the Communist Party.  In his speech at the parade, President Medvedev emphasized conciliation, the notion of the ‘good neighbor‘ and Western cooperation.  The parade was apparently celebrated by more than 4.2 million people and presented the largest selection of Russian armory since the fall of the Soviet Union.  The emphasis on Victory Day is apparently as much for the benefit of Russian youths as Russian veterans.  ‘What should be done about Stalin?’