Putin will seek another presidential term in Russia, aiming to extend his rule of over two decades

Vladimir Putin on Friday moved to prolong his repressive and unyielding grip on Russia for at least another six years, announcing his candidacy in the presidential election next March that he is all but certain to win. Putin still commands wide support after nearly a quarter-century...

Key events in Vladimir Putin's more than two decades in power in Russia

Significant dates in Vladimir Putin’s 24 years in power in Russia: Dec. 31, 1999 — In a surprise address to the nation, President Boris Yeltsin announces his resignation and makes Putin, the prime minister he appointed four months earlier, the acting president. May...

The UK government blames Russian intelligence for prolonged efforts to meddle in British politics

LONDON (AP) — Russia's intelligence services have targeted high-profile British politicians, civil servants and journalists with cyberespionage as part of years-long attempts to interfere in U.K. politics, Britain's government said Thursday. The Foreign Office said Russia's FSB...

Kremlin foe Navalny's lawyers to remain in detention at least through mid-March, Russian court rules

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Moscow court extended on Thursday pre-trial detentions for three lawyers who once represented imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The three were arrested in October on charges of participating in an extremist group, a case widely seen as a means to ramp up...

Putin moves a step closer to a fifth term as president after Russia sets 2024 election date

Lawmakers in Russia set the country’s 2024 presidential election for March 17, moving Vladimir Putin a step closer to a fifth term in office. Members of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, voted unanimously Thursday to approve a decree setting the date. ...

Allies of Russian opposition leader Navalny post billboards asking citizens to vote against Putin

LONDON (AP) — Opposition activists in Russia came up with a way to get around Kremlin censorship while urging citizens to vote against President Vladimir Putin in an election next year: billboards disguised as a New Year's greeting. The Anti-Corruption Foundation founded by...

Putin continues his blitz round of Mideast diplomacy by hosting the Iranian president

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Iran’s president Thursday as part of a blitz round of Middle East diplomacy that also included visits to United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in efforts to raise Moscow’s profile as a power broker in the region. Putin has...

Japan pledges $4.5B more in aid for Ukraine, including $1B in humanitarian funds

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged $4.5 billion to Ukraine, including $1 billion in humanitarian aid to help support the war-torn country's recovery effort in an online summit of leading industrial nations. Kishida made the announcement late Wednesday in...

Russian girl shoots several classmates, leaving 1 dead, before killing herself

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian girl shot several classmates at school Thursday, killing one person and wounding five others before killing herself, state news agencies and authorities said. The shooting happened at a school in Bryansk, a city in a region of the same name that borders...

Russian lawmakers set the country's presidential election for March 17, 2024, clearing way for Putin to seek a 5th term