New Zealand trusts associated with a former Russian billionaire once known as "Putin's banker" are now subject to a worldwide freezing order by a London court.

Russia's energy pivot toward Asia faces its sternest test next month when Vladimir Putin visits Beijing amid slumping oil prices and concerns over China's economic slowdown.

The Russian President's 83m dive in a mini-submarine was the latest in a long line of adventurous stunts.

The kiwi dollar is losing ground in traditional holiday hotspots overseas but a break to Russia has become much cheaper.

The ex-KGB officer seated in front of me raised his hand to interrupt my brief monologue on Vladimir Putin's "hybrid" war in Ukraine.

President Francois Hollande has resolved a spat with Russia over the future of two advanced warships Moscow ordered from France before its annexation of Crimea poisoned relations with the West.

It was what Murray McCully called a "bad day for the Security Council" after Russia stopped an international tribunal being set up to prosecute the people who shot down MH17.

It's ranked the ninth largest in the world, and boasts an on-deck jacuzzi, six swimming pools, a gym, a helipad and a helicopter hanger.

So many Russians are being killed or injured in pursuit of the perfect selfie that police have launched a public safety campaign.

Rich-lister Stephen Jennings has launched defamation action against Fairfax Media and a senior journalist Michael Field about Jennings' business activities in Russia and Kenya.

Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, refused an invitation to visit Moscow to mark the Soviet Union's victory in World War II because Russia refused to meet Pyongyang's demands for special treatment for the young dictator.

An unmanned Russian spacecraft is spinning out of control and is set to plummet to Earth next week.

The Russian spacecraft that went rogue yesterday has begun an unstoppable descent into Earth's atmosphere, experts have said.

Burger King has come under fierce criticism for advertising on "tittygram" - a Russian website which displays messages across the exposed chest of a model.

Putin isn't a rich man. A man who wields near-absolute power in a country as vast as Russia doesn't need money or property.

Russia's entire Northern Fleet is on the move today as part of a show of force involving 40,000 troops, more than 41 warships, 15 submarines and 110 aircraft.

Putin appears in public again after a 10-day mysterious absence while aide attacks ‘gossip’ about a coup.

One of two men accused of murdering Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov is a decorated former soldier who once received a bravery award issued by the Kremlin.

Team New Zealand may not want him as a sailor but Dean Barker has found others are keen to have him.

'It's not every day you get a note on behalf of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.' Service medal arrives for brave Stan.

The mood in Moscow was grim, a quiet rage running through the crowd.

Moscow police were yesterday hunting for the killers of Boris Nemtsov, the Russian opposition politician who was gunned down in the shadow of the Kremlin's towers yesterday.

Ukraine accused Russia of sponsoring a terrorist attack on a peace march in the city of Kharkiv that left two dead and at least 10 wounded.

Civilian planes flying over British airspace are at risk from Russian jets playing a highly dangerous 'game of chicken' in the skies, a former head of the armed forces has warned.

Just over one month since its last downgrade of Moscow's credit rating, Moody's said Russia "is expected to experience a deep recession in 2015 and a contraction in 2016".

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called for an international peacekeeping mission in his nation's war-torn east.

Ukraine has appealed to the West to get tough on Russia after separatists it says are militarily backed by Moscow stormed a flashpoint town.

The 94-year-old Wellington veteran received the honour at French Ambassador Laurent Contini's home in Thorndon tonight.

More than 11 months into the crisis he unleashed, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains in charge of the dynamic, seeking to confuse and divide the West as he apparently seeks to create a damaged....