Tensions between Russia and NATO have escalated further after a stark warning from Belgium’s defence minister, who said any nuclear strike on the alliance would lead to the destruction of Moscow.

Russian forces are close to taking the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after a pincer movement almost totally encircled it while small groups of highly mobile Russian units penetrated the city, according to Russian military bloggers.

Ukraine launched drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, disrupting air traffic across the country and sending several drones towards Moscow for the third night in a row, Russian authorities claimed on Wednesday 29 October.

Blackouts were reported in Biryulyovo, Maryino, Kapotnya, Taganka, Orekhovo-Borisovo, Lyubertsy, Novye Cheryomushki, Zhulebino, Brateyevo, Perovo, Lyublino, and central Moscow. The outages disrupted the operations of numerous businesses,

Russia fired one of its largest drone and missile assaults against Ukraine overnight, killing three people, including a 7-year-old girl, and cutting power to thousands as winter approaches,

Pokrovsk was dubbed a "fortress" settlement, key to Ukrainian lines in the east and connected to other cities forming the backbone of Ukraine's defense in the east. Russia kicked off a push to take Pokrovsk in the summer of 2024.

Russia said on Thursday that any dialogue with Japan regarding a peace treaty to formally end World War Two could only begin once Tokyo abandoned what Moscow described as a damaging "anti-Russian" stance.

Documents show Maduro drafted letter asking Russia for missiles, radars and upgraded aircraft as U.S. forces amass in the Caribbean.

Questions have arisen after Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country tested two nuclear-capable weapons this week.

Ukraine accuses Russia of "systematic energy terror" as the global atomic energy watchdog warns Moscow's latest strikes jeopardize nuclear plants' safety.