Now playing Next Russia Happy Birthday Mr President - Putin turns 63 winning a game of hockey After launching airstrikes in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin chose to spend the rest of his birthday playing hockey. Taking to the ice in 07/10/2015
Now playing Next Syria Russia defends Syria air strikes, adding US strategy is 'flawed' On the diplomatic front, Russia has mounted a firm defence of its air strikes in Syria. President Vladimir Putin told a cabinet meeting that the 01/10/2015
Now playing Next Syria McCain claims Russian air strikes hit US-backed Syrian rebels The US Senator John McCain has accused Russia of targeting Free Syrian Army rebel recruits backed by Washington. In an interview with CNN, McCain 01/10/2015
Now playing Next Syria Russian fighter jets step up attacks on Syrian insurgents Russian warplanes have carried out more bombings of rebel positions in Syria for a second day. The Russian defence ministry has released footage to 01/10/2015
Now playing Next Unreported Europe From a Russian peninsula: Crimean voices It's hard to hear Crimean voices these days. Since Russia annexed the peninsula at least 20,000 people have left, the majority not wanting to become Russian. 28/09/2015
Now playing Next Russia Charity boss flees with young kids after Russia's NGO crackdown On-the-run in France with three of her children, Nadezhda Kutepova fears jail for treason if she returns home to Russia. She fled amid Moscow’s 15/09/2015
Now playing Next Ukraine Ukraine marks 24 years of independence from Soviet rule Ukraine is marking 24 years of independence from Soviet rule. There have been ceremonies in the centre of Kiev, including a show of military might 24/08/2015
Now playing Next Ukraine Ukraine puts top Russian general Gerasimov on 'most wanted' list Russia’s top general Valery Gerasimov has been accused of ‘organising an armed conflict’ in Ukraine which is making plans to put him on trial 05/08/2015
Now playing Next Russia Russia begins pre-trial hearings for Ukraine ex-pilot Nadiya Savchenko A court in southern Russia has begun pre-trial hearings in the case of a Ukrainian former military pilot charged over the deaths of two Russian 30/07/2015
Now playing Next Russia BRICS: Greece dominates the agenda in Ufa Security is tight and preparations are at their peak in the remote Russian city of Ufa, more than a thousand kilometres east of Moscow #Russia's 08/07/2015
Now playing Next Russia Former Russian PM Yevgeny Primakov dies at 85 Yevgeny Primakov, former Russian Prime Minister, foreign minister and spy master has died at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness. A Kremlin 26/06/2015
Now playing Next Russia Moscow: Kremlin critic Navalny spared jail A Moscow court has rejected a bid by law enforcement officials to have Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny jailed, for alleged violation of a suspended 14/05/2015
Now playing Next Russia Navalny unveils joint opposition agenda for Russian elections Russian opposition parties who have joined forces against the Kremlin have outlined their agenda for regional elections later this year, ahead of a 22/04/2015
Now playing Next Russia Putin swats down Russian worries on annual televised call-in Concerning everything Russians want to know about their president’s worldview, once a year, Vladimir Putin accepts their questions, sent through a 16/04/2015
Now playing Next Russia Russia strips immunity from rebel deputy after Crimea vote Russia’s parliament has deprived an opposition deputy of his immunity. He could now face charges of embezzlement. Ilya Ponomaryov, who is now in the 07/04/2015
Now playing Next Russia Putin is back! Russia leader reappears, laughing off rumours about long absence Russia’s Vladimir Putin has made his first public appearance since March 5 and laughed off speculation about his extended absence, saying “things 16/03/2015
Now playing Next Russia Putin says he was ready to put Russian troops on nuclear alert over Crimea As rumours circulate over the whereabouts of President Vladimir Putin who has not been seen in public since last week , Russian state-run television 16/03/2015