Vladimir Putin tightens grip on power by promoting family members and younger allies to his inner circle as economic strain and opposition threats mount in Russia.

The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on a kleptocratic ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was removed this month as president of the Serb territory within Bosnia and Herzegovina for chipping away at the US-brokered peace deal that ended bloody ethnic violence in the Balkans in the 1990s.

By holding nuclear drills and boasting about the successful test of a pioneering nuclear-powered cruise missile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a message to President Donald Trump: Moscow wouldn’t be cowed into concessions on Ukraine.

Putin's statements confirm that the Sarmat - the world's most powerful nuclear doomsday missile - is still not ready

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country has tested a new, nuclear-capable missile and is preparing to deploy it.

North Korea's top diplomat has visited the Kremlin for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting follows last month's meeting between Putin and Kim Jong Un in Beijing.

Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile and will work towards deploying the weapon, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday, which comes as Moscow launched its second deadly attack on Ukraine in two nights.