Mikhail Kalashnikov to buried in new `pantheon` of heroes

Last Updated: Friday, December 27, 2013, 13:50

Russia was Friday to bury Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of the iconic AK-47 assault rifle that was the favoured weapon of guerrillas worldwide, at a newly-opened cemetery for national heroes.

Russian official sheds doubt on Syria peace talks date

Last Updated: Friday, December 27, 2013, 01:18

The head of Russia`s national security council on Thursday cast doubt on the scheduled date for the start of Syria peace talks next month because of slow progress in the run-up to the parley.

Khodorkovsky congratulates Pussy Riot rockers on release

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 20:10

Russia`s one-time richest man Mikhail Khodorkovsky on Tuesday congratulated two Pussy Riot punk rockers on their release from prison, saying he was happy their "torture" was over.

Freed Pussy Riot rockers reunite in Siberia

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 16:47

Two freed members of anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot on Tuesday met in Siberia for the first time since their release, discussing plans to set up a new rights group to help Russian prisoners.

Officials in Beijing suburb build Kremlin copy

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 14:27

Local officials in a Beijing suburb have built themselves a white-walled, gold-domed office complex resembling Moscow`s Kremlin, state media reported, prompting anger among Chinese who condemned the lavish buildings.

Putin frees his enemies as part of Sochi spin

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 01:04

It came as a shock for both those released and the general public, President Vladimir Putin`s move to pardon his foes has allowed him to seize the news agenda in his favour and temper criticism of his rule less than two months before the Sochi Games.

Viktor Yanukovich backs Ukraine compromise talks as riot police take up positions

Last Updated: Monday, December 9, 2013, 22:08

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich backed a call for talks with the opposition on Monday to end weeks of protests in Kiev, but tension was high with pro-Europe demonstrators barricading their protest camp in preparation for police intervention.

Vladimir Putin stokes controversy with news agency shake-up

Last Updated: Monday, December 9, 2013, 19:18

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday unleashed a wave of controversy by dissolving the renowned state news agency RIA Novosti and naming a news anchorman notorious for his anti-gay views to head a revamped media group.

Medvedev denies tension with Putin

Last Updated: Saturday, December 7, 2013, 12:52

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has denied reported tensions between him and President Vladimir Putin over the designation of tax crime investigative power, and said he will lead the government as long as he can.

Russia indicts former defence minister

Last Updated: Friday, December 6, 2013, 19:55

Russian investigators on Friday formally charged an ex-defence minister with negligence and did not rule out expanding the charges following a further investigation.

Putin backs amnesty that could free Pussy Riot

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 4, 2013, 22:29

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said he backed proposals for an amnesty for thousands of prisoners who, according to his rights advisor, could include ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the Pussy Riot punks.

Soviet dissident Natalya Gorbanevskaya dies

Last Updated: Saturday, November 30, 2013, 20:59

Russian poet Natalya Gorbanevskaya, one of the former Soviet Union`s foremost civil rights activists, died in Paris at the age of 77, his friends in Moscow have said.