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    Russia

    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

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    • Least peaceful yet beautiful: 12 must-visit places in Russia for your bucket list

      Russia may rank lowest on the 2025 Global Peace Index, but its beauty is undeniable. Discover 12 must-visit places in Russia, from Moscow and Saint Petersburg to Lake Baikal and Kamchatka.

    • Western countries skip Russia’s UN address on Ukraine war anniversary

      Several Western nations stayed away, leaving Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky speaking to a bare-looking hall.

    • Russia probes Telegram founder Pavel Durov for ‘aiding terrorism’ amid crackdown on messaging apps

      Moscow has restricted access to both Telegram and WhatsApp, Russia's two most popular messaging apps, as it tries to shift users onto Max -- a state-backed alternative which critics say lacks privacy -- but so far without much success.

    • Putin says Russia has intel on possible explosion targeting Black Sea gas pipelines, targets ‘anti-peace forces’

      Putin said Russian security agencies had received operational information suggesting preparations for an explosion targeting underwater gas infrastructure.

    • US meeting Russia, China teams in Geneva on nuclear issue

      The United States had held "preparatory" meetings with Russia and with China in Washington after the New START treaty lapsed earlier this month and the meetings in Geneva were "a little bit more substantive", the official said.

    • EU fails to approve new Russia sanctions as Hungary blocks Ukraine support package

      The EU failed to approve new sanctions on Russia after Hungary objected, stalling a major Ukraine loan as leaders warned of setbacks to support Kyiv ahead of the war’s fourth anniversary.

    • How US and UK intelligence saw Russia’s Ukraine invasion coming and were ignored

      US and British intelligence warned of Russia’s invasion months in advance, but European governments and Kyiv remained sceptical despite mounting evidence. Moscow attacked in February 2022, upending Europe’s post-war security order.

    • Investigation reveals Russian intelligence steering Wagner operations across Africa after Prigozhin’s death

      An investigation finds Russia’s SVR has taken over Wagner Group influence operations in Africa after Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death, expanding disinformation networks while coordinating — and sometimes competing — with the defence ministry.

    • No breakthrough in U.S.-brokered Russia–Ukraine peace talks as fighting rages and ceasefire demands remain far apart

      US-brokered Russia–Ukraine talks in Geneva ended without progress, with both sides calling discussions difficult as fighting continues and core disagreements over territory, security and ceasefire terms remain unresolved.

    • India looking to US to diversify oil, coal supplies, says Piyush Goyal

      India has not granted concessions in any trade agreement without approvals from the relevant ministries and private-sector stakeholders, the minister has said

    • 'Ukraine better come to the table fast': Trump urges as trilateral talks begin in Geneva amid ongoing strikes

      Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Geneva for US-mediated talks amid ongoing strikes, focusing on security, humanitarian issues, and disputed territories, though expectations for a breakthrough remained low.

    • Zelenskiy says US too often asks Ukraine, not Russia, for concessions

      Ukrainian, Russian and American delegations are due to meet in the Swiss lakeside city on Tuesday and Wednesday as Trump seeks to push through a deal to end Europe's biggest war since 1945

    • ONGC Videsh hopeful of resuming Venezuela operations as US moves to ease sanctions, liberalise crude trade

      For the coming fiscal, ONGC is targeting production of 42.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent and has charted out a Rs 32,000-33,000 crore capex plan

    • Drones, sirens, army posters: How four years of war changed a Russian city

      From frequent Ukrainian retaliatory drone attacks to army recruitment adverts around the city, the conflict has gradually seeped into daily life

    • Russia memo sees return to dollar system in pitch made for Trump

      At the heart of the offer is Russia’s return to the dollar settlement system, a move which would mean a stunning reversal of Kremlin policy and, potentially, a dramatic shake up for global finance.

    • Russia moves to fully block WhatsApp, pushes users toward state-backed messaging app

      WhatsApp says Russia tried to fully block its service as Moscow promotes a state-backed messaging app. The Kremlin says Meta must follow Russian laws for access to be restored.

    • Lavrov dismisses Trump’s claim on India’s oil imports: 'I have not heard such a statement'

      Russia’s Sergei Lavrov dismissed Donald Trump’s claim that India would stop buying Russian oil, saying no Indian leader backed it, and stressed energy security and strong India–Russia strategic ties.

    • Refunds from US 25% tariff rollback likely be limited

      There is no well‑established precedent in the US for automatic refunds after the rollback of reciprocal or retaliatory tariffs imposed through an executive action

    • Over half of Indian students’ global discrimination complaints come from Russia: MEA data

      More than half of global complaints by Indian students over exploitation and racial discrimination in 2025 came from Russia, MEA data shows, amid a sharp rise and renewed safety concerns.

    • Russia rolls out upgraded Sukhoi Su-57 amid India’s hunt for next-gen fighter aircraft | Watch

      Russia’s state-owned technology corporation Rostec said the latest Su-57 aircraft handed over to the Russian military feature enhanced onboard systems and a new weapons configuration that significantly expands the jet’s combat role.

    • Russia alleges Ukraine-ordered assassination of top military officer in Moscow

      Russia claims gunman Lyubomir Korba shot top military officer Vladimir Alekseyev in Moscow on orders from Ukraine's SBU. Korba was recruited in Ternopil and fled to Dubai before arrest.

    • Russia turns to India, Sri Lanka for way out of its labour crisis

      Russia estimates the economy needs 11 million more laborers by the end of the decade.

    • Kremlin: Moscow and Washington see urgent need for new nuclear arms talks | New START

      The Kremlin said Russian and US negotiators agreed on the urgent need to launch new nuclear arms talks after New START expired, as Washington pushed to include China in any future treaty.

    • New START ends: US accuses China of secret nuke tests, warns Beijing's 'arsenal has no limits, no transparency'

      The US accused China of secret nuclear tests, urging Beijing to join arms control talks, while Russia and the US discuss next steps following New START’s expiration amid global security concerns.

    • US pushes for nuclear talks with Russia and China after New START expires

      The US called for trilateral nuclear talks with Russia and China following the New START treaty’s expiration, citing Russian violations, growing stockpiles, and China’s lack of transparency.

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