Russians in icy plunge to celebrate Epiphany

Thousands of Russian Orthodox Church followers plunged into icy rivers and ponds across the country to mark Epiphany, cleansing themselves with water deemed holy for the day.

Russia to celebrate its traditional ‘Second New Year’s Eve’ on January 13

On the eve of January 13, Russians will usher in the so-called Old New Year, a unique holiday that offers everyone the chance to celebrate the New Year with those near and dear to them for a second time.

Ukraine bans books promoting Russia

Ukraine Friday banned Russian books glorifying the Kremlin and its leaders or espousing what it views as "totalitarian views" in a move certain to further sour relations between the two foes.

'1984': EU Resolution on Russian Media First Step Toward 'Total Censorship'

The resolution adopted by the European Parliament against Russia's media outlets is the first step towards imposing censorship against all media sources which express different views from those promoted by the EU leadership, Italian journalist Giulietto Chiesa warns.

Normandy format group agrees on roadmap in Ukraine

According to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the leaders of the so-called Normandy format group comprising Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France agreed on a new roadmap for peace solution in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday night, German media Focus Online reported.

Putin accuses France, US of provoking Russian veto on Syria resolution

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused France and the United States of deliberately provoking Moscow's veto on a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Syria.

Kremlin refuses to comment on Paris’s plans to sue Russia at ICC over Syria

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to comment on the statement by French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault that Paris plans to sue Russia at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes committed in Syria.

China Supported Russian Security Council Draft Resolution on Syria

China voted in favour of the Russian draft resolution on Syria at the Security Council and regrets that it was not adopted, China’s envoy to UN Liu Jieyi said after the vote.

Czech President: There’s no moderate opposition in Syria, only extremist groups

Czech President Milos Zeman said that there is no “moderate opposition” in Syria, but rather only extremist groups, and that he disagrees in this evaluation with the position taken by the United States.

Over half Ukrainians oppose severing relations with Russia. Russia currently has no ambassador in Kiev

More than half of Ukrainians did not support severing relations between their country and Russia, a recent opinion poll showed Tuesday.

US expels two Russian diplomats over Moscow 'attack'

The US has expelled two Russian diplomats in response to an attack on an American diplomat in Moscow, the state department says.

Zakharova danced Kalinka at the summit Russia — ASEAN (2 video)

The official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova performed the Russian folk dance — Kalinka — at a reception for journalists in Sochi, where these days takes place the summit Russia — ASEAN. On Thursday, may 19, the correspondent “reports Tapes.ru”.

No progress at UN SC on extending list of terrorist groups

No progress has been reached at the United Nation Security Council discussion of Russia’s initiative to put Syria’s Jaysh al-Islam and Ahrar ash-Sham groups on the sanction list, a spokesman for Russia’s permanent mission to the United Nations told TASS on Wednesday commenting on media reports that the Russian initiative was blocked by Great Britain, Ukraine, the United States and France.

The Pentagon forgot about the Day of Victory

Pentagon spokesman Peter cook on Monday, may 9, during a traditional briefing admitted that he forgot about the 71-th anniversary of the victory over Germany in World war II. It is reported RIA Novosti.

Mejilis of Crimean Tatars banned as extremist organization

The Supreme Court of Crimea has sustained on Tuesday the claim of the republic’s Prosecutor Natalya Poklonskaya for banning the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, recognizing the organization’s activity as extremist. The ruling was announced by head of the panel of judges Natalya Terentyeva, TASS reports from the courtroom.

Russian officer killed near Palmyra awarded Hero of Russia title

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree to award the Hero of Russia title to Senior Lieutenant Aleksandr Prokhorenko (posthumously) for courage and heroism displayed in performing his military duty, the Kremlin’s press-service has said.

Thousands in Serbia march against NATO and the West

Thousands have marched against NATO and the West in Serbia, carrying banners praising Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia Issues Crimea Banknote

Russia has issued a new banknote dedicated to Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed  by the Kremlin last year.

Russia’s foreign ministry advises Russians not leave resort areas in Indonesia

Russia’s Foreign Ministry advised on Saturday the Russians who are on holiday in Indonesia not to leave resort areas in that country, citing information on possible terror threats.

Débats des présidentielles US: en pleurer ou en rire?

Plus c’est absurde, et mieux c’est. Telle devrait être la logique de certains candidats américains à la présidentielle, qui parfois vont particulièrement loin dans leur rhétorique préélectorale à propos de la Russie.