In 2024, births in Russia fell to 1.22 million — the lowest level since 1999 — while deaths increased by 3.3% annually, to 1.82 million.

Angela Stent, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, says Russian President Vladimir Putin counted on Chinese President Xi Jinping's support when he invaded Ukraine – and continues to count on Beijing's economic support and diplomatic support on a global stage.

Russia faces a significant worker shortage by 2030. Retirements and low birth rates are major factors. The Ukraine war has worsened the situation. The government is offering incentives to boost birth rates.

If the Admiral Kuznetsov is decided not to continue repairs, it remains only to take it, cut it into scrap metal and dispose of it,” one admiral said.

President Donald Trump is finally taking the fight to Vladimir Putin. Sort of. For now. Trump’s deference to Russia’s authoritarian leader has been one of the most enduring geopolitical subplots of the past decade.

U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly said during his campaign he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” upon taking office.

For the fifth time, Donald Trump has threatened Russia's Vladimir Putin with economic sanctions. The first four times, the Republican failed to follow through.

Vladimir Putin has “played Donald Trump like a violin” over Ukraine, according to a former British intelligence boss. Sir Alex Younger, who was the head of MI6 between 2014 and 2020, said the Russian president is going to make his US counterpart “look like a Muppet” by continuing to bomb its neighbour.