JIM HEINTZ

What we know about Ukraine’s surprise push into Russian territory

For more than a week, Ukrainian troops have pushed into the Kursk region of Russia, just north of their border, in the most extensive incursion by Kyiv’s forces in the 2½-year-old war.

Russia tightens security in Kursk region, as fight continues against Ukraine’s surprise incursion

Russia has announced increased security measures in the border region of Kursk. An incursion there this week by Ukrainian forces caught Russian troops off guard and exposed its military vulnerabilities in the nearly 2½--year-old war.

As a historic prisoner exchange unfolds, a look back at other famous East-West swaps

When Washington and Moscow exchange prisoners, it usually comes after months of secret, back-channel negotiations. Swaps these days often take place on an airport tarmac.

A well-known Russian dissident is moved from prison along with others, their destinations unknown

A lawyer for Ilya Yashin says the prominent Kremlin critic has been moved to an unknown destination from his prison where he was serving an 8 1/2-year sentence for criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Russian media throw shade at Paris Olympics, which TV won’t show

Watching the Paris Olympics will be difficult for most people in Russia, and in the view of local media it’s not really worth the effort. Only 15 Russian citizens will be competing in the Games and in principle they won’t be representing Russia.

Putin meets Indian prime minister in Russia on his first visit since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Moscow on a two-day visit, his first since Russia sent troops into Ukraine, which has complicated the relationship between the longtime partners and pushed Russia closer to India’s rival, China.

A US journalist goes on trial in Russia on espionage charges that he and his employer deny

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has gone on trial in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently deny.

What’s known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea

Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un say a new strategic partnership is a breakthrough, but what it means for their relationship is still uncertain.

Russia, largely excluded from international sports, hosts athletes at BRICS Games

Thousands of athletes in major and obscure sports are vying for medals in the Russian city of Kazan at the BRICS Games, an international competition shadowed by politics amid Russia’s exclusion from major sports events.

On a visit to his Belarusian ally, Putin questions Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited his Belarusian counterpart and close ally for talks in Minsk.

As Putin begins another 6-year term, he is entering a new era of extraordinary power in Russia

Just a few months short of a quarter-century as Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin starts another six-year term as president holding extraordinary power.

A Russian actress who called for peace was fined for hosting an ‘almost naked’ party

A Moscow court has imposed a 50,000-ruble ($560) fine on a TV presenter and actress who gained notoriety for hosting an “almost naked” party, saying her social media posts calling for peace discredited the military.

Russia: US shares blame in a concert hall attack claimed by Islamic militants

The head of Russia’s national security council says the United States shares blame for the attack by gunmen on a Moscow concert hall that killed 145 people, even though a branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility.

Moscow theater shooting fans flames of a disinformation war

Immediately after the Friday evening attack in Moscow that killed at least 137 people, Russian officials were suggesting, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine was responsible.

Russian massacre suspects’ homeland is plagued by poverty and religious strife

The four men charged with the massacre at a Moscow theater have been identified by the Russian government as citizens of Tajikistan.

Russia launches sweeping attack on Ukraine’s power sector, a sign of possible escalation

Russia unleashed one of its most devastating attacks against Ukraine’s electric sector, an aerial assault it said was retaliation for recent strikes inside Russia.

Putin extends rule in preordained Russian election after harshest crackdown since Soviet era

President Vladimir Putin has extended his reign over Russia in a landslide election whose outcome was never in doubt, declaring his determination to advance deeper into Ukraine and dangling new threats against the West.

Putin basks in electoral victory that was never in doubt even as Russians quietly protest

Russian President Vladimir Putin is basking in a victory that was never in doubt, as partial election results showed him easily securing a fifth term after facing only token challengers and harshly suppressing opposition voices.

Russians are voting in an election that holds little suspense after Putin crushed dissent

Russia has begun three days of voting in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin’s rule for six more years after he stifled dissent.

The drama in Russia’s election is all about what Putin will do with another 6 years in power

As Vladimir Putin heads for another six-year term as Russia’s president, there’s little electoral drama in the race. What he does after he crosses the finish line, however, is what’s drawing attention and, for many observers, provoking anxiety.

Russia says it killed 234 fighters while thwarting an incursion from Ukraine

Russian officials say Ukrainian long-range drones have smashed into two oil facilities deep inside Russia.

EU launches mission to protect ships in Red Sea from Houthis. It won’t partake in military strikes

The European Union has launched a naval mission to help protect cargo ships in the Red Sea. Attacks on civilian maritime traffic by Houthi rebels in Yemen are hampering trade and driving up prices.

US wholesale inflation accelerated in January in latest sign that prices picked up last month

Wholesale prices in the United States accelerated in January, the latest sign that some inflation pressures in the economy remain elevated.

Alexei Navalny, galvanizing opposition leader and Putin’s fiercest foe, died in prison, Russia says

Alexei Navalny, who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests as President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest foe, has died in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence.

Bruins take losing streak into matchup with the Kings

The Boston Bruins will try to end a three-game slide when they play the Los Angeles Kings.

Russian courts jail a Putin critic and a woman convicted of a blast that killed a pro-war blogger

The former leader of separatist rebels in Ukraine and a woman convicted of a bomb attack which killed a pro-war blogger were jailed by Russian courts Thursday.

A century after Lenin’s death, the USSR’s founder seems to be an afterthought in modern Russia

Moscow court rejects lawsuit against ‘almost naked’ party that caused scandal in Russia

A court in Moscow has rejected a class-action lawsuit against a Russian TV presenter that sought $11 million in moral damages after she hosted a party where guests were encouraged to show up wearing next to nothing.

Putin will seek another term as Russian president, aiming to extend his rule of over two decades

Vladimir Putin has 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.

Under Putin, the uber-wealthy Russians known as ‘oligarchs’ are still rich but far less powerful

When Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000, the outside world viewed “Russian oligarchs” as men who whose vast wealth, ruthlessly amassed, made them almost shadow rulers.