Russia, the world's largest country in terms of size and ninth in terms of population, spans across portions of eastern Europe and northern Asia. Its nominal gross domestic production (GDP), as per the 2021 estimates, stood at USD 1.710 trillion, making it the eleventh largest in the world. According to the World Economic Outlook released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Russia's economy generated services and goods of an estimated value of USD 1,647 billion. This was higher as compared to USD 1,610 billion generated by Australia. The Russian capital, Moscow, is a city of roughly 145.5 million inhabitants. It is the largest city in Europe. Other major cities of Russia are St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Kazan. In terms of military strength, Russia is considered to be equipped with the world's second most powerful military, according to defence tracker Global Fire Power. As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia's military expenditure was USD 61.7 billion in 2020. The modern Russian state came into being in 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union that encapsulated vast territories of eastern Europe and central Asia. Since the year 2000, Russia has been led by Vladimir Putin, a former intelligence officer who later rose to the helm of the country's political establishment. More
In 2023–24, India’s arms and ammunition shipments to Russia accounted for only a small share of its global defence sales and an even smaller portion of overall exports to Russia, underscoring the limited scale of trade in this segment.
The issue is expected to take the centre stage when India and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union hold the next round of trade talks, likely in the second half of February
Former diplomat Anil Trigunayat warns China and Russia are backing Iran amid domestic unrest, sustaining its economy and signalling deterrence, hardening West Asia geopolitical blocs and raising regional strategic stakes.
Russia’s military said the missile launch was retaliation for what it claimed was an attempted Ukrainian drone strike late last year on one of Putin’s residences in Novgorod.
The Russian attack struck an infrastructure target in western Ukraine's Lviv region, officials in the region said early on Friday.
The two countries, preoccupied by the war in Ukraine, have not held any talks on a successor treaty.
The US Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security “today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of US sanctions,” the command said in a social media post.
US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Sunday, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi knew he was unhappy with India's purchases of Russian oil and that Washington could raise tariffs on New Delhi "very quickly."
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev suggested German Chancellor Merz could face a hypothetical kidnapping, citing the US seizure of Venezuela’s Maduro, while criticising Trump’s actions as illegal but aligned with American interests.
Concerns were also raised at the United Nations, where Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the developments surrounding Maduro’s capture amount to a “dangerous precedent.”
Three drones hit the buildings in the village of Khorly, killing at least 24 and injuring more than 50 as people celebrated the New Year, Vladimir Saldo
The assessment, which included input from the Central Intelligence Agency, undercuts claims made by Moscow and initially accepted by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking to Reuters, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said the footage was "laughable" and that Kyiv was "absolutely confident that no such attack took place".
After being 'forced' to sell his 35 percent stake in the bank for 3 percent of the market price the sale, Oleg Tinkov left Russia and eventually renounced his citizenship.
It remains unclear whether Trump is any closer to his goal to securing an end to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine
A source added that these efforts come amid a push to boost exports to Russia to balance the trade, with a focus on spurring Indian shipments of automobiles, auto components, and pharmaceuticals.
Recruitment companies handling overseas placements say hiring by Russian firms has risen steadily over the past few years.
More than 500 drones and 40 missiles — including Kinzhal hypersonic weapons — were launched in strikes that continued long into Saturday
The Russian government also extended the ban through the same date to export diesel, marine fuel and other gasoils for non-producers
The air alert comes as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a proposed plan to end the fighting that has killed tens of thousands since 2022.
Russia confirmed contact with the Trump administration after receiving US-backed peace proposals on Ukraine, as Moscow analysed the ideas and agreed to continue dialogue while Kyiv prepared further talks.
Ukraine–US talks on ending Russia’s war remain stalled over security guarantees, territory and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, as Kyiv and Washington consult Moscow and agree to continue dialogue on framework.
Yakutia, Russia, plunged to −56°C this Christmas, becoming the coldest inhabited place on Earth. Scientists study extreme human survival, permafrost, and Arctic climate impacts in this frozen landscape.
The Kremlin said it has made an offer to France over jailed scholar Laurent Vinatier, now reportedly facing espionage charges, as Paris presses Moscow for his release amid strained relations.