Armenia has signalled it could quit the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a security bloc seen as Moscow's version of NATO, after a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

In St Petersburg, operations at Pulkovo Airport were temporarily suspended around 5am, delaying at least ten flights, according to Rosaviatsiya.

A Russian official says American Daniel Martindale has been rewarded with citizenship for spying on Ukraine, "by decree of our President Vladimir Putin."

In 2024, births in Russia fell to 1.22 million — the lowest level since 1999 — while deaths increased by 3.3% annually, to 1.82 million.

Officials have warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that a demographic crisis could mean the country he leads will be short millions of workers by the end of the decade.

A former Russian prime minister has said Vladimir Putin may be forced to agree a peace deal to end the war with Ukraine by the end of the year. Mikhail Kasyanov said Russia’s “contracting” economy meant the country’s president may have no option but to seek a settlement to stop the hostilities.

Vladimir Putin ultimately bears responsibility for the downing of MH17 by Russian proxy forces over eastern Ukraine 11 years ago, a leading investigative journalist has said. Eliot Higgins spoke on the anniversary of the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet with the loss of all 298 people onboard, including 10 British citizens.

MICHAEL KIMMAGE is Professor of History at the Catholic University of America. He is the author of Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability.