RUSSIA: A portly politician who somehow managed to get himself stuck inside a tank reportedly threatened to shoot bystanders who were standing around watching.

Fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified ahead of much-anticipated peace talks, with both sides claiming significant advances and the government accusing rebels of shelling a town far behind the front line.

More than 100 people have been killed after intense flooding struck in the Black Sea region of southern Russia.

More than 100 people have been killed after intense flooding struck in the Black Sea region of southern Russia.