During negotiations in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia, the issue of a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will be discussed, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing sources.

Russia's lower chamber of parliament, the State Duma, put forward a bill on Tuesday that, if passed, would expand Russia's seasonal draft into a year-round event.

Renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev's concert in an Italian palace has been canceled without explanation amid an uproar over his support for Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end their ongoing war.

Zelensky promises new law in response to anti-corruption protests as peace talks begin - Kyiv’s attack on powers of anti-corruption agencies branded ‘serious step back’ for country’s EU membership

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused Italy of discrimination and said it had caved into anti-Russian lobbying after a planned classical music concert by high-profile Russian conductor Valery Gergiev was cancelled.

Last week, the European Union agreed on its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which included a ban on the import of refined oil products derived from Russian crude. Whether this bolsters calls for the American government to do the same remains to be seen.

How Russia has amped up its aerial strikes on Ukraine - The Russian army launched a fresh drone assault on Kyiv overnight, following a pattern of attacks in the past two months

In July alone, Andrei Badalov, the vice-president of state-owned pipeline company Transneft, fell to his death from a balcony at his home. A former deputy defence minister was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment on charges of corruption, only for a fellow military official to go down for 17.

As scattered details of the apparent suicide of Russia’s former transport minister Roman Starovoit trickled in via state media on Monday, one stood out. Near his body, the Kommersant newspaper reported,

Russia is planning to phase out WhatsApp for government use by introducing its messaging app called MAX. Developed by state-owned VK, MAX is expected to become mandatory for officials from September 1.