The inquiry into Alexander Litvinenko’s death found there were “powerful motives” for organisations and individuals within the Russian state to take action against him.

Pussy Riot hit the headlines when three members were arrested after an anti-Putin protest. Now they face up to three years in jail, a prospect that has shocked and radicalised many Russians. Some of the women speak exclusively to Carole Cadwalladr.

Former president Mikhail Gorbachev has compared Vladimir Putin's United Russia party to the worst of the communists he once led, saying parliament and the judiciary were not fully free.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will fight terror by consolidating security agencies and further tightening political control over the country.

The biggest pro-Kremlin party pulled far ahead of its rivals in Russia’s parliamentary elections today, with partial preliminary results suggesting President Vladimir Putin can tighten his grip over the Duma ahead of his own likely re-election bid.