US President Donald Trump told Russian officials at a meeting last week that James Comey was a "nut job" whose removal as FBI director relieved "great pressure" on him, according to The New York Times.

A Soyuz rocket carrying two Russians and an American has blasted off for the International Space Station.

Thousands of Russians have taken a dip in icy waters to celebrate Epiphany, a major holiday in Orthodox Christianity which marks the birth and baptism of Jesus.