Russia

Steve Rosenberg: Moscow oil refinery attack brings Russia's war with Ukraine closer to home

There are moments when life in Moscow feels completely normal - Thursday morning wasn't one of them, writes Steve Rosenberg.

Petrol shortages and ‘oil rain’ bring Russia-Ukraine war home to Moscow

Ukraine increases strikes on Russian oil and weapons infrastructure as it garners aid and begins EU talks.

Hunter-gatherers in Siberia died of a plague outbreak 5,500 years ago

We can't blame the Neolithic Transition for the plague anymore.

First Russian shadow fleet tanker enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding

Forwarder, a Russian-flagged ship which left port in Primorsk last week, entered the Channel on Wednesday evening.

Will Putin change tactics after Ukrainian drone attacks?

Steve Rosenberg explains what Russia's next steps may be after frequent Ukrainian drone attacks.

Killing of Russian artist who criticised Putin 'has hallmarks of political murder'

The killing of a Russian artist who was critical of Vladimir Putin has the hallmarks of a "political murder", according to Poland's prime minister.

Russian families use AI to 'resurrect' loved ones killed in Ukraine

The highly controversial trend lies at the intersection of Russia's war on Ukraine, new AI technologies and grief.

Russia ‘not looking for conflict’, says Nato’s top US commander

General Grynkewich’s remarks come as Washington withdraws key assets from Europe

Fuel running dry in Russian-held Crimea as Ukraine steps up attacks

Petrol stations in the Russian-held ‌Crimea had run dry on Thursday, witnesses said, after Ukraine stepped up drone strikes on supply lines to the peninsula.

The AI spying breakthrough that spooked the Kremlin

Russia paused surveillance system after killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader exposed how AI can be used on CCTV data to target enemies

Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg in attack Russia calls 'unprecedented'

The city's governor urges residents to remain indoors for the first time since the beginning of the war.

Russian satellites have been causing GPS disruption across Europe, scientists claim

A network of Russian satellites has caused brief disruptions to GPS signals across Europe on perhaps dozens of occasions since 2019, new research suggests.

Astronauts return to ISS after sheltering during air leak repair attempt

Russian attempt to repair tunnel area sparks safe-haven procedure for five other astronauts onboard.

Putin says there is 'no point' meeting Zelensky over ending Ukraine war

The Russian president's refusal comes after his Ukrainian counterpart wrote an open letter calling for face-to-face talks.

Russia’s Putin says ‘no point’ meeting Ukraine’s Zelenskyy for now

The Russian leader insisted military action would only stop after Moscow achieves its 'goals'.

Putin says ‘too early’ to talk about staying in power until 2036

Putin says ‘too early’ to talk about staying in power until 2036.

Seven killed after drone hits bus in Russia-controlled part of Ukraine

The bus was travelling between Moscow and Simferopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, an official says.

Putin remains uncompromising on Ukraine, but is public discourse on war changing in Russia?

Russia is intensifying attacks in Ukraine but more than four years of war are causing concern even among Putin loyalists.

How Putin became master of the image

From enigmatic KGB agent to wartime ruler, this is how Putin has repeatedly reinvented his image, and himself.

World champion Bivol returns with dominant Eifert win

Russian Dmitry Bivol marks his return from a 15-month lay-off with a dominant display against Michael Eifert to defend his unified light-heavyweight crown in his home nation.

Russia overspends on Putin’s war in Ukraine by $28bn

Finance ministry asked cabinet in February to freeze expenditure in other areas as cost of conflict mounts

Rouble’s strength piles pressure on Russian war economy

Rising energy exports have helped push currency to three-year high, making other exports less competitive

Russian banks to arm themselves against Ukrainian drones

New law will allow staff at country’s central bank and Sberbank to carry weapons

Russia slams US for not granting visa to diplomat for UN meeting

Moscow's envoy accuses Washington of failing to honour commitments under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement.

Cannes Grand Prix Winner Andrey Zvyagintsev Uses Acceptance Speech to Address Putin: ‘Put an End to This Carnage’

Standing at the Cannes podium Saturday night to collect the Grand Prix for “Minotaur,” exiled Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev used his acceptance speech to issue a…

Putin vows retaliation after accusing Ukraine of hitting student dormitory

Ukraine says it struck Russia's elite Rubicon drone military unit in a Moscow-occupied region.

Russia's Putin vows retaliation after accusing Ukraine of hitting student dormitory

Ukraine said it hit Russia's elite Rubicon drone military unit in a Moscow-occupied part of eastern Ukraine.

'A monstrous crime': Russia blames Ukraine after four killed in drone strike on school

Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a "monstrous crime" after an overnight drone attack on a school killed at least four and left 35 children wounded.

Putin and Lukashenko monitor joint Russia-Belarus nuclear exercises

Moscow and Minsk hold strategic nuclear drills with the two countries' leaders participating via video conference.

Why Russian jets intercepting an RAF spy plane is 'serious incident'

The BBC's Frank Gardner explained how the incident highlighted tense relations between Russia and Nato.

Russia ‘dangerously’ intercepts British spy plane over Black Sea: Ministry

The incident came last month when unarmed Rivet Joint plane was securing NATO's eastern flank in international airspace.

Is Russia ‘simulating diplomacy’ because of war losses in Ukraine?

Putin has talked about a truce, but some analysts say it's a ploy to buy time while Moscow's soldiers are on back foot.

The Russian-born entrepreneur shaking up European rearmament

Mikhail Kokorich’s Destinus has risen rapidly to challenge incumbent defence groups with its cheaper missile systems

‘Minotaur’ Review: Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Masterful Crime Thriller Is Also a Bold Indictment of Russia’s War Against Ukraine

The 'Leviathan' and 'Loveless' director returns to the Cannes competition with his first film made entirely outside of Russia, a loose remake of Claude Chabrol's 'The Unfaithful…

‘Minotaur,’ Scathing Look at Corruption and Infidelity in Putin’s Russia, Electrifies Cannes With 8-Minute Standing Ovation

“Minotaur,” a pitch-black look at corruption in Putin era Russia, was greeted with a thunderous, eight-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.…

Two-Time Oscar Nominee Andrey Zvyagintsev on Cannes Contender ‘Minotaur’ and Life After (Near) Death: ‘The Light Can Go Out at Any Second’

Nearly a decade after his last film, “Loveless,” won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, two-time Academy Award nominee Andrey Zvyagintsev (“Leviathan”) returns to the…

Large-scale Ukrainian drone attack kills three in Moscow region, says Russia

Ukraine's president says the strikes are a "justified" response to deadly Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Four killed in Russia as Ukraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow in over a year

Four people were killed in overnight Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia, authorities have said – in what appears to be the largest attack on Moscow in over a year.

One of the World’s Most Decorated Directors Nearly Died From Long Covid. Now He’s Got a New Film at Cannes: “A Complete and Utter Miracle”

Russian auteur Andrey Zvyagintsev breaks down his journey to making ‘Minotaur’ for the first time, from a devastating illness that left him unable to move for a year to the war…

Russia pressures university students to become wartime drone pilots

Universities promise no frontline duty and perks if students enlist in military.

A spyware investigator exposed Russian government hackers trying to hijack Signal accounts

A group of likely Russian government hackers tried to hack a security researcher who investigates spyware attacks. He was then able to turn the tables on the hackers and reveal…

Putin hails Russia’s test launch of ‘most powerful missile in the world’

Russian leader says the nuclear-capable Sarmat missile will enter combat service at the end of the year.

Putin and Zelenskyy cool on US-led peace talks

Moscow and Kyiv lose faith in Donald Trump’s diplomacy even in the event of Iran war ending

'Most powerful' nuclear missile will be deployed this year says Putin

Vladimir Putin says Russia will deploy the world's "most powerful" nuclear missile at the end of this year.

Putin hints at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, but why now?

Amid a US-backed ceasefire, Putin signals peace talks could progress, but broader negotiations remain stalled.

Putin says he thinks Ukraine conflict 'coming to an end'

The Russian leader sees potential for Ukraine negotiations, but condemns the West's backing for President Zelensky.

Putin says Ukraine war likely to end soon - despite Ukrainian battlefield gains

President Vladimir Putin has said he believes the Ukraine war is coming to an end.

Steve Rosenberg: This year's Victory Day parade in Moscow felt very different

The BBC's Russia editor reports from a Red Square with none of the military hardware which the Kremlin normally showcases to project power internationally.

Rosenberg: Scaled-back Victory Parade in Moscow's Red Square

The BBC's Russia editor reports from Moscow, where the annual Victory Day display was quieter than usual.

Putin denounces Nato at scaled back Victory Day parade

The Russian leader used his annual speech to justify his so-called special military operation in Ukraine.

Scaled-back Victory Day parade held in Moscow

Russia marks downsized Victory Day parade as Putin pledges victory in Ukraine 'special military operation'.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaching Victory Day ceasefire

The two sides report responding to hundreds of drone attacks, just hours into a truce to cover celebrations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.

Russia tells diplomats to leave Kyiv in case Moscow launches mass strikes

Moscow threatens retaliatory strikes if Ukraine attacks Russia during Victory Day commemorations.

Ukrainian drone hits upmarket Moscow high-rise ahead of Victory Day celebrations

Russia has declared a unilateral ceasefire to cover the event and threatened a massive strike on central Kyiv if it were disrupted.

How to escape Russia’s army: Soldiers serving in Ukraine seek a way out

Russia's army faces a desertion crisis as it continues to use waves of soldiers to attack Ukraine's defensive positions.

Putin hunkers down for fear of assassination

Security around Russia’s president has tightened after Ukraine’s audacious drone attacks

Russia cloaks launch schedule after spaceport falls in Ukraine's sights

"We had serious inbound attempts to the cosmodrome that day."

Russia scales back Moscow Victory Day parade, blaming threat from Ukraine

Russia says the annual commemoration of Soviet victory in World War Two will not feature military vehicles or cadets.

Russian superyacht sails through Strait of Hormuz despite blockade

The 141m-long vessel, linked to a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, cleared the waterway despite an ongoing blockade.

Worker killed at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after drone strike, says Russia

A worker at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power ​station has been killed in a ​Ukrainian drone attack, according to Russian ​forces, which control the plant.

Vladimir Putin’s regime turns on book publishers

Kremlin crackdown targets even loyal publishing houses

Putin's approval rating falls to lowest since Ukraine invasion, as Kremlin says he may attend G20 after Trump invite

President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, state polling figures show.

Fires ignited by Ukrainian drones rage at Russian oil refinery

Hundreds of firefighters are trying to contain fires at Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery.

Russia claims Ukraine-linked bomb plot foiled, German woman arrested

Russia's FSB accuses the woman, found with a bomb in her backpack, of taking part in a plot hatched by Ukraine.

Russian economy is faltering despite oil windfall, Sweden warns

Stockholm’s military intelligence head says Moscow is manipulating data to make its economy look better

Flag, anthem restrictions dropped for Russian, Belarusian swimmers

The move signals a further easing of restrictions on athletes from the two countries by sports-governing bodies.

Russia and Ukraine agree to Orthodox Easter truce

Vladimir Putin announced the truce, which will last from Saturday afternoon through Easter Sunday.

Russia and Ukraine to hold 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have said their countries will hold a 32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend.

Russia and Ukraine agree to truce for Orthodox Easter

Vladimir Putin announced the truce, which will last from Saturday afternoon on 11 April through Easter Sunday.

Russia confirms 16 Cameroonian soldiers killed in Ukraine war

No information has been provided specifying how the soldiers ended up fighting for Russia.

Can Russia help fill the global energy gap?

Higher crude prices due to the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have helped Russia earn more from energy exports.

Russia imposing ban on all gasoline exports due to Iran war

Russia imposing ban on all gasoline exports due to Iran war

Russian military plane crash kills 29 in occupied Crimea

Russian authorities say a technical malfunction caused the An-26 to crash into a cliff.

Doc Talk Podcast: Filmmaker Julia Loktev On Her ‘Undesirable Friends’ – Journalists Who Dared Report From Russia With Independence

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a habit of driving people out of his country. You know – free-minded people, the kind who believe in democratic values and independent…

Putin 'asks oligarchs to donate to budget' as cost of Ukraine war soars

Vladimir Putin has asked oligarchs to donate to Russia's budget to stabilise the country's finances as he presses on with the war in Ukraine, according to Russian media.

Putin asks oligarchs to donate to budget as cost of Ukraine war soars

Russian president’s demand shows intention to pursue campaign until all of neighbour’s Donbas region is captured

Russian officials meet US counterparts as Moscow denies aiding Iran

Kremlin spokesperson says talks are part of '​necessary dialogue' with Washington as war in Ukraine continues.

Russia's school propaganda was highlighted by Oscar-winning film - but does it work?

The messages are clear: the full-scale invasion is a defensive war and patriotism means unquestionable loyalty.

How big is the prize of reopening Russia?

The Kremlin is promising $12trn-worth of deals to Donald Trump’s administration

American sanctions are putting Russia under pressure

In time, though, its tankers will find new routes

Front-line economics: lessons from Russia’s neighbours

How to survive on the border of war

Russia’s besieged economy is clinging on

The good times have firmly come to an end, but wage growth remains strong