Vladimir Putin
Watch this space for the latest updates on Russian President Vladimir Putin. The former intelligence officer has been president of Russia from 1999 until 2008 and then again in 2012. Putin served as prime minister in the intermittent years between his tenure as president, from 2008 to 2012. Born October 7, 1952 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Putin studied law before joining the KGB. In 2022, Russian ordered an invasion of Ukraine that immediately started war between the two countries. The invasion was met with international criticism of Putin, resulting in sanctions and other diplomatic responses, further isolating Russia from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries.
Russia, Iran to sign strategic pact on eve of Donald Trump's inauguration
The treaty will "formalize the parties' commitment to close defense cooperation," Russia's foreign minister said in late October.
Russian TV's hypersonic missile threat to US: "Nothing will protect them"
A Russian TV host boasted about a hypersonic ballistic missile's power and how the US and Europe can't protect themselves from it.
Russian Military Airfield Hit by Blasts After Ukraine Drone Raid
Russian air defenses intercepted multiple drones, but reports indicated that the strategic Millerovo air base sustained damage.
Russia's biggest military range suffers damage in Ukraine drone raid
The strikes ignited fires at the Kadamovsky range, a crucial training site for Russian troops heading into Ukraine.
Russian commanders refusing "suicidal" orders to cross Dnieper River—Report
Officers are defying orders and pushing back on crossing the Dnieper River to seize territory in an offensive.
Russian ship full of troops breaks down at sea
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the ship was dispatched to evacuate troops from Syria and is currently adrift near Portugal.
Putin dealt double blow in Africa after Syria retreat
Two African states are frustrating Moscow's efforts to establish a stronger military presence in the continent following the fall of Assad.
Ukraine war maps: How battle lines shifted in 2024
Vladimir Putin was dealt a blow with Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk oblast but his forces ended the year with momentum in the Donbas.
Russia touts growing nuclear submarine fleet amid tensions with NATO
Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between the military alliance, which supports Kyiv in its defense efforts, and the Kremlin have continued.
Russia has a divorce problem
With one of the highest divorce rates in the world, Russia's family dynamics are coming to the fore in politics.
Putin faces awkward question from Chinese media about ending Ukraine war
The Russian leader said that, if he could do it over, he'd have launched his invasion even earlier than February 2022.
NATO ally gives nearly $300M to Ukraine's Air Defenses
The funds will help upgrade Ukraine's air defenses, while also equipping the country with additional CV90 armored combat vehicles.
Putin could invite Trump to WW2 victory celebration
Moscow said it would be open for representatives from the "anti-Hitler coalition" to join its May 9 events in Moscow.
Russia holds interest rates at 21% amid inflation
Contributing factors to inflation include increased military production, labor shortages, and a weakening ruble.
Russian FSB spy master resigns abruptly after Putin slams intel 'blunder'
Nikolai Yuryev, head of the military counterintelligence department of Russia's Federal Security Service has resigned.
As Trump Returns, Europe Debates How To Step Up for Ukraine | Opinion
Whatever hypothetical deal is negotiated between Ukraine and Russia, the Europeans won't be able to avoid playing a major role enforcing it.
Putin decries "serious blunder" after top general assassinated
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke out this week about General Igor Kirillov's assassination and criticized law enforcement.
No peace deals without Ukraine's agreement: EU
Speculation is swirling in European circles about possible Russia-Ukraine peace talks for early next year.
Putin goads US to deploy THAAD in Ukraine: 'See what our boys can learn'
Russia's President Putin has released a statement apparently goading the U.S. to deploy THAAD in Ukraine.
Putin reveals when Russia may use nuclear weapons under new doctrine
Vladimir Putin addressed Russia's recent change of nuclear doctrine while speaking to TV audiences at his annual Q&A, issuing a warning to the West.
Putin refuses to give deadline on liberating Kursk
Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to provide a specific timeline for when Ukrainian forces might be expelled from Russia's Kursk region.
Ukraine scores major $286M military boost from NATO ally
The U.K. continues to prove its support of Ukraine in the war with Russia by providing a £225 million military aid package.
Putin ally admits Russia can't kick Ukraine out of Kursk by year end
Reclaiming Kursk is high on Moscow's agenda but comments by Valery Gerasimov failed to address the continuing presence of Ukrainian troops on Russian soil.
Zelensky rejects freezing Russia war front line in blow to Donald Trump
The Ukrainian president said Donald Trump is aware of his unwillingness to freeze the war.
Ukraine Can Still Beat Russia. It Must Win for All of Us | Opinion
When historians study us sometime in the future, they will analyze not our statements and promises but the decisions we made and the actions we took. Were we able to prevent Russia's war on Ukraine from engulfing all Europe?
Russia will mass produce Oreshnik ballistic missiles: Putin
Vladimir Putin is preparing for further offensive attacks by mass producing the new intermediate hypersonic ballistic missile.
Russia sets out 2025 Ukraine goal
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said Moscow will control the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions next year.
Russia warns of NATO war within 10 years
Defense minister Andrei Belousov said there would be a confrontation with the alliance in the coming decade.
Europe cracks down on Russia's shadow fleet
The EU has sanctioned 52 vessels that Moscow uses to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas or carry stolen Ukrainian grain.
Assad airlifted $250 million to Moscow before fleeing Syria: report
The money was flown to Russia in 2018 and 2019 at a time when Bashar al-Assad was indebted to Moscow and Syria was desperately short of foreign currency.
