Russia has begun its biggest surface deployment since the end of the Cold War as it prepares to effectively end the war in Syria.

Vladimir Putin's armed fleet heads for Dover as Moscow moves ships from the Mediterranean in 'Operation Sea Fist'.

The official 2017 Vladimir Putin calendar has gone on sale in Russian shops.

Russia is deploying "two of the most powerful warships in the world" - and sending a message to the Americans. What is Putin up to?

Controversial President Rodrigo Duterte has already told Barack Obama to "go to hell". Now he has struck another blow against the US.

Reports of Vladimir Putin telling officials to fly relatives living abroad back to Russia because of an impending war are being quashed.

US Secretary of State John Kerry called for the Syrian and Russian governments to face a war-crimes investigation over attacks on civilians in Syria.

More than 40 million Russians are taking part in a three-day drill that, if it becomes reality, could spell disaster for all of us.

A spokesperson said "harassment and surveillance" of US diplomats in Moscow has increased significantly.

A young student who has never had sex is selling her virginity to raise enough money to be able to study abroad.

Dutch prosecutors revealed the missile that shot down MH17 was transported into Ukraine from Russia and fired from separatist-controlled territory.

Tapped phone conversations filled with swearing and codenames were among the most critical pieces of evidence into MH17. Here's what really went on.

A football lout claims :"Football hooligans are ordinary people who love violence. And we are the most honest part of society."

On a clear afternoon last Monday a line of humanitarian aid trucks eased to a stop in front of a cluster of warehouses packed with aid supplies 24km outside the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Footage from a polling booth at the weekend's Russian parliamentary elections appears to show an official stuffing a ballot box.

The US-Russia deal to bring peace to Syria seemed near collapse yesterday as two countries publicly accused each other of double-dealing and atrocities.

The Russian President will cheer the Syrian agreement as a victory over US Secretary of State John Kerry.

These astonishing photos of a thrill-seeker's sky-high catwalk show have turned her into a social media sensation.

The Russian vice-consul in Rio de Janeiro shot dead an armed mugger who had tried to hold him up in his car.

A new kind of army, of private cyberdefense contractors, is stepping up and gaining power in the wake of hacks such as the one on the Democratic National Committee.

Police are hunting a killer Romeo after a young woman was gruesomely murdered after hooking up with a man she met online.

The dangerous relationship between Putin and Trump.

On NZ Herald Focus, Donald Trump has appealed to Russia to release emails that Hillary Clinton did not hand over.

We are going to see Russians winning medals and an Olympic movement in disgrace.

Russia and her allies have started a fightback to stay in the Rio Olympics after the sensational disclosures about a state-directed doping programme.

Russia's doping programme saw drug dissolved in Chivas whisky for men and vermouth for women, to give them an undetected edge over other athletes.

Vladimir Putin has purged all the officers in his Baltic Sea fleet citing corruption

Isis fighters shot down a Russian helicopter above Syria, killing both pilots on board.

Over 500 passengers were left stranded for seven hours after one woman's impromptu decision to change her relationship status.