Russia is scouring the world for produce ranging from Chilean salmon to Egyptian oranges to fill a big hole left by its ban on Western food imports.

Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine are being bolstered by 1200 troops who "trained for four months in Russia", according to the separatists' leader.

Russia's defence secretary has assured his US counterpart that there are no military personnel in its controversial aid convoy for Ukraine, the US says.

A one-year ban instituted by Russia on food imports from the West could hurt NZ's dairy trade, even though local exports are exempt, say economists.

A New Zealander, who was found guilty of a child sex crime committed in Russia, has lost his appeal against his conviction.

People should be sceptical of Moscow’s huge aid convoy to eastern Ukraine, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

Despite all the talk of action against Vladimir Putin, Exxon Mobil, the largest US energy company is undeterred, starting work on $700m oil well in the Arctic.

Russia's sweeping bans on imports of European, US and Australian food may prove a diplomatically embarrassing bonanza for New Zealand's cheese exporters.

The internet credentials of some New Zealanders will almost certainly have fallen into the hands of a Russian cyber gang, an online security expert fears.

On the morning of July 15, Moscow was as hot as an oven.

Reports that land mines have been laid near the MH17 crash site in Ukraine are "utterly despicable", Australia's Foreign Minister says.

Russia's economy faces a financial stranglehold and President Vladimir Putin's inner circle will be hit with asset freezes and travel bans.

The former The X-Files star features in a new promo for Siberian Crown, in which the New York native muses about how different his life would be if he had been born in Russia.

Vladimir Putin is facing a multimillion-dollar legal action for his alleged role in the shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet over eastern Ukraine.

Russia's strongest political influence is not in relatively large countries, but in weaker countries that barely have a foreign policy debate at all.

A Russian multi-millionaire was granted a private audience with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the royal tour after pledging $1 million to the national velodrome.

An orbital sex mission by five Russian geckos has gone from lust in space to lost in space.

The United States says it has evidence that Russia is planning to deliver "heavier and more powerful" rocket launchers to pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Four days after Malaysia Airlines' Flight 17 was shot down, the families of the 298 people on board can only wonder what is happening to the remains of their loved ones.

Disbelief at the killing of 298 civilians as they travelled peacefully through the skies above Ukraine is prompting many people to react with anger.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has started the sensitive task of contacting the families of the 37 Australian citizens and residents killed in the MH17 disaster.

John Key says he is "deeply concerned" by the lack of access to the MH17 crash site and has called on Vladimir Putin to show leadership on the issue.

Malaysia Airlines have released the names of the 283 passengers and 15 crew on flight MH17.

Australian experts will join a team of international investigators who will travel to the MH17 crash site in eastern Ukraine as soon as it’s safe to do so.

In the case of MH17, the political instability between Ukraine and Russia could hamper operations.

The downing of the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane has exposed the chaos in Ukraine as a real war.

Evidence is mounting that pro-Russian separatists were responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Tensions are ramping up between two global super powers after a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight was shot down over Ukraine.