An explosion at a supermarket in Russia's second largest city was a terrorist attack, President Vladimir Putin has said.

England manager Gareth Southgate has promised to deploy his best poker face during today’s World Cup draw in Moscow regardless of who the Three Lions must play next summer.

Fans at next summer's World Cup in Russia will not need expensive tourist visas and can enjoy free transport on match days - but only if they get organised, the hosts have warned.

Hundreds of people were arrested in the centre of Moscow today while trying to gather for an unauthorised demonstration called by an extreme nationalist group.

Scores of people have been arrested in the centre of Moscow while trying to gather for an unauthorised protest demonstration called for by an extreme nationalist group.

The new US ambassador to Russia has presented his diplomatic credentials to President Vladimir Putin.

The convicted killer of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Five men have been found guilty of involvement in the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

Russian president Vladimir Putin and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe have discussed joint economic projects on disputed islands which could pave the way for the countries to finally sign a peace treaty.

JP O’Malley talked to author Peter Conradi about the authoritarianism behind the growing tension between a former superpower and its neighbours in the Baltic and the EU.

Thousands of Russians have marched through Moscow to mark two years since opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was gunned down outside the Kremlin.

Arms control is not an imperative for tranquil times but rather a tool for building — or rebuilding — trust between adversaries, write Volker Perthes and Oliver Meier

New Year’s celebrations across the world ushered in 2017 with dazzling fireworks displays and crowded streets amid tightened security measures for the festivities.

On Thursday, US president Barack Obama announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats working out of the Russian embassy in Washington. They were declared ‘persona non grata’ and given 72 hours to leave the US with their families.

Given the fondness that the president-elect and so many of his appointees seem to have for Russian President Vladimir Putin, life may be about to imitate — if not exceed — art, says Nina L Khrushcheva.

As the Vanbrugh Quartet get a lifetime achievement award, Gregory Ellis reflects on his 30 years with the group, writes Cathy Desmond

It must make you feel a slight pang if you live in Iran knowing your 100,000 riyal note wouldn’t buy you a burger in Nenagh, writes Colm O’Regan

Russian president Vladimir Putin fired Sergei Ivanov, his chief of staff, and one of his closest allies, in the most high-profile power reshuffle at the Kremlin in years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired Sergei Ivanov, his chief of staff and once one of his closest allies, in the most high-profile power reshuffle at the Kremlin in years.

Russia made it to Rio by the skin of its teeth and it may see Putin suspend his bid for military glory, writes Nina L Khrushcheva

APART, perhaps, from in the Kremlin in Moscow, few tears will be shed at the decision of the world athletics governing body to maintain its doping ban on all Russian athletes competing anywhere, including at the Rio Olympics.

The leader of Russia's Chechnya republic has posted a video that appears to show the country's former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov in the crosshairs of a rifle - a video Mr Kasyanov is calling a murder threat.

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.

Bernard-Henri Lévy finds extreme danger in a ‘fifth column’ of Western supporters who slavishly endorse every move by the Russian president.

The Russian president did not phone the singer to discuss the anti-gay policies for which Putin has been shunned by national leaders and the Kremlin isolated, says Masha Gessen

The third map pack for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, titled Supremacy, will offer a brand new Exo Zombies chapter starring Army of Darkness' Bruce Cambell.

German chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday paid tribute to Soviet soldiers killed in WWII as she called for co-operation with Russia amid tensions over Ukraine.

There'll be a few eyebrows raised in the Kremlin, though.…

Russian news agencies said yesterday that one of the suspects in the killing of leading opposition figure Boris Nemtsov has admitted involvement in the crime.

Opposition leaders face tough task in wake of Nemtsov’s killing

One by one, thousands of mourners filed past the white-lined coffin of slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov yesterday, many offering flowers as they paid their last respects to one of the most prominent figures of Russia’s opposition.

The outrage of ordinary Muscovites was sparked by Boris Nemtsov’s assassination on Friday, but many fear apathy will return in the face of a remorseless enemy, says Anna Nemtsova

Commercial jets carrying hundreds of people had to be diverted in mid-air or else prevented from taking off to avoid potential collisions with two Russian bear bombers which “cloaked” their presence during their latest incursion into Irish-controlled airspace.

The Ukrainian woman with Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov when he was gunned down told Russia media yesterday that she did not see his killer, as conflicting reports emerged about the availability of surveillance footage showing the slaying.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said the killing of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was a “heinous crime which will be fully investigated”.

Murdered spy Alexander Litvinenko’s widow says Boris Nemtsov’s shooting was the Russian government’s way of saying anyone who spoke out against Vladimir Putin would be killed.

Holding placards declaring “I am not afraid”, thousands of Russians marched in Moscow in memory of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, whose murder has widened a split in society that some say could threaten Russia’s future.

THE violent death of yet another opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin adds another layer of complexity to the deteriorating relationship between the democratic world and an increasingly autocratic Kremlin.