Russia Ukraine risks losing the battle for Russia's Kursk region Five months after their shock offensive into Russia, Ukrainian troops are bloodied and demoralised in the battle for Russia's Kursk region. 28/12/2024
Europe News US expected to announce $1.25bln military aid package for Ukraine The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defence system. 28/12/2024
Europe News Putin open to accepting Slovakia as 'neutral site' for Ukraine talks The Russian president's comments follow Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's controversial Moscow visit, seen as a challenge to EU unity against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 27/12/2024
Europe News FSB says arrests made in plot to kill Russian military officers The statement follows the death of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov who was killed on 17 December by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building as he left for his office. 27/12/2024
No Comment More than a thousand birds saved from pollution in the Black Sea Following the sinking of two Russian oil tankers during a storm in the Kerch Strait, volunteers and rescuers are actively taking part in the operation to clean up contaminated soil along the Black Sea coast. 26/12/2024
Europe News Operations temporarily suspended at Moscow and Kaluga airports Airports in the Russian cities of Moscow and Kaluga temporarily suspended operations on Thursday, with no clear reason given by authorities. The restrictions were later lifted. 26/12/2024
Europe News Russia arrests four over alleged plot to kill top military officers Russia has arrested four suspects in an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate top military officials, days after Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was killed in an attack claimed by Ukraine. 26/12/2024
Russia Krasnodar governor declares region-wide emergency to contain oil spill Authorities in Russia’s southern region of Krasnodar declared a region-wide emergency as oil continued to wash ashore, 10 days after two tankers collided in the Black Sea. 26/12/2024
Russia Russian cargo ship linked to Syria sinks in the Mediterranean Ursa Major, built in 2009, sank following an engine room explosion, according to authorities in Moscow. The company operating the cargo vessel is owned by the Russian Ministry of Defence. 24/12/2024
Russia Kremlin denies divorce claims about Asma al-Assad Turkish media reports have claimed that the wife of the former Syrian president filed for divorce and sought to return to the UK. 23/12/2024
Russia Three people found alive three days after Kamchatka plane crash The two crew members and a passenger, all of whom survived, having spent three days without food, kept warm in the snow by burning fuel. 22/12/2024
Europe News Slovakia's Robert Fico visits Putin in Moscow amid Ukraine gas dispute Fico is the third EU leader, after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to meet with Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 22/12/2024
Russia Ukraine targets Kazan with drone strikes deep into Russian territory Eight drones targeted residential buildings and industrial sites in Kazan, but no casualties were reported. 21/12/2024
Russia Russian central bank holds interest rate at 21% The decision has brought criticism from influential business figures, who say high rates are hindering business activity and preventing growth. 20/12/2024
Europe News Putin’s end-of-year presser: ‘When everything is quiet, we are bored’ As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is going into its third winter, Russian President Vladimir Putin held its annual end-of-year press-conference, two days after a Kyiv-orchestrated killing of a high-ranking general on the streets of Moscow. 19/12/2024
No Comment Environmental disaster in the Black Sea Russian regional authorities reported on Tuesday that around 35km of coastline had been contaminated by oil after two ships were badly damaged by storms in the Kerch Strait . A state of emergency has been declared in several districts. 18/12/2024
Europe News At least 100 Pyongyang troops killed fighting Ukraine, says South Kore Pyongyang’s forces are helping Vladimir Putin’s army in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in August. 18/12/2024
Europe News Suspect detained in Moscow over killing of top Russian general Russia's security service says it detained a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan over the assassination of General Igor Kirillov. 18/12/2024
EuroVerify No, video doesn't show Putin sending his son off to fight in Ukraine Numerous Chinese-language posts across social media platforms are spreading a narrative that the Russian president has allowed his son to fight in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. 18/12/2024
No Comment Oil spill ravages Black Sea shores, causing major environmental crisis Footage showed oil-streaked shores and birds covered in mazut. Officials say clean-up efforts are underway, though environmental impacts remain uncertain. 18/12/2024
Russia Oil stains wash ashore after storm damages Russian oil tankers One of the two Russian oil tankers damaged during a storm in the Kerch Strait on Sunday spilled an estimated 3,700 tonnes of oil. 17/12/2024
Russia Russia's head of nuclear defence troops killed in Moscow blast Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was recently charged by Ukrainian prosecutors for using banned chemical weapons. 17/12/2024
Russia Putin accuses NATO of provoking Russia into crossing its 'red lines' 'Russian troops are holding a strategic initiative across the entire front lines', according to the Russian president. 16/12/2024
Europe News Two Russian oil tankers badly damaged in storm in Kerch strait The Volgoneft-212 tanker has run aground and one of its 13 crew members has died. The others were rescued, Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry said on Sunday. 15/12/2024
Europe News Russia's top missile expert gunned down in Moscow park Mikhail Shatsky, who is said to have overseen the modernisation of Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles used by Russia against Ukraine, was reportedly shot dead near his home. 13/12/2024
Europe in Motion What is the role of gold in Russia’s wartime trade relations? While Western sanctions have successfully disrupted Russia’s ability to trade in gold, the country holds a considerable influence over the production of gold in Central Asia and Africa. 09/12/2024