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Russia & Central Asia

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Russia's alleged election meddling
Ukraine
Russia
Vladimir Putin
Espionage
Russian service members take part in a military parade in Moscow on Saturday on Victory Day, marking the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Photo: Reuters
Russia

Putin criticises Nato at Victory Day parade in Moscow

At this year’s event, marking WWII victory, troops were told that in Ukraine they face ‘an aggressive force’ armed by the military alliance.

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Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine trade attacks ahead of Moscow war parade

Ukraine war

Russia urges foreigners to leave Ukraine capital over Victory Day threat

Malaysia

Well-oiled diplomacy: Malaysian king visits Moscow as Anwar eyes Russian energy

Though Sultan Ibrahim’s visit is officially ceremonial, its timing coincides with the energy squeeze plaguing Malaysia and much of Asia.

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Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on August 6, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on August 6, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Russian attacks kill 27 in Ukraine before proposed rival ceasefires

Zelensky slams Russia’s ‘utter cynicism’ as strikes shatter ceasefire hopes and underscore war’s deepening impasse.

Ukraine war

Putin and Zelensky announce rival ceasefires ahead of Russia’s Victory Day

Moscow threatens ‘massive’ strike on Kyiv if May 9 parade is disrupted, as Ukraine plans own truce starting Tuesday night.

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Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy speedboat approaches the cargo ship Epaminondas during what state media described as the seizure of one of two vessels accused of violations in the Strait of Hormuz on April 21. Photo: Tasnim News Agency via AP
An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy speedboat approaches the cargo ship Epaminondas during what state media described as the seizure of one of two vessels accused of violations in the Strait of Hormuz on April 21. Photo: Tasnim News Agency via AP
Ukraine war

Drone hits upscale Moscow tower as city readies for Red Square parade

Tower just kilometres from the Kremlin hit after Russia scales back May 9 parade over security concerns.

Ukraine war

Russia’s inching advance in Ukraine approaches eastern fortress belt

Kostiantynivka, along with other cities in eastern Ukraine, forms part of a so-called fortress belt well-fortified against Russian attack.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump hails ‘very good’ Putin call as Iran talks stall and Ukraine war drags on

US president says Russian leader offered help on Iran’s enriched uranium and discussed a Victory Day ceasefire in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump meeting in Alaska in 2025. Photo: TNS
Russia

Russia to hold equipment-free Red Square parade as Ukraine war grinds on

Moscow will exclude military equipment from its May 9 celebrations, citing ‘Ukrainian terrorist activity’.

Russian servicemen at last year’s Victory Day military parade. Photo: EPA
Russian servicemen at last year’s Victory Day military parade. Photo: EPA
Ukraine war

Trump’s Ukraine envoy stepping down amid stalled peace talks with Russia

The State Department denied a report that Julie Davis’ departure was out of frustration and differences with the US president.

Ukraine war

Deadly record: Ukraine shoots down 33,000 Russian drones in 1 month

The figure, for March, is the highest monthly number of intercepted drones since Moscow began its attack on its neighbour in February 2022.

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Ukraine war

‘Serious incident’: drone attack on Russian oil refinery causes major fire

The blaze at the Black Sea Tuapse site, where operations were already halted due to a previous attack, led to the evacuation of some streets.

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Smoke and flames rise after a Ukrainian drone attack at Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery, in this screengrab from a social media video released on Tuesday. Photo: via Reuters
North Korea

North Korea’s Kim renews pledge to support Russia at memorial for fallen troops

More than 6,000 North Korean soldiers are estimated to have died while fighting Ukrainians in Russia’s Kursk region.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ((right) greets Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov with a hug in Pyongyang on Sunday. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry/EPA
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ((right) greets Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov with a hug in Pyongyang on Sunday. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry/EPA
Ukraine war

Strikes in Ukraine and Russia kill at least 16 on Chernobyl disaster anniversary

Ukraine’s Zelensky marks 40th anniversary with a warning that Russian attacks risk repeating history.

European Union

Ukrainians gather to remember Chernobyl disaster despite Russia’s war

The 1986 disaster shone a spotlight on lax safety standards and government secrecy in what was then the Soviet Union.

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United States

Taliban, Congo? Afghans stuck in Qatar who helped US war face more stress

After reports the US could send 1,100 Afghans who assisted the US to the DRC, the Taliban urged them to instead head back to their homeland.

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A woman carries a child as they arrive in Qatar with other evacuees from Afghanistan in 2021, following the US withdrawal. Photo: AFP
A woman carries a child as they arrive in Qatar with other evacuees from Afghanistan in 2021, following the US withdrawal. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

At least 6 die in Ukraine, over 30 wounded, in massive Russian attack

Moscow launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, said Kyiv, with explosions in several cities.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt: the Middle East’s new power brokers?

‘Fear of US abandonment’ is helping forge a new Middle East – but don’t expect an Islamic Nato just yet.

Russia

Russia says US using coups, kidnappings to ‘defend its well-being’ at any cost

‘The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it,’ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

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Captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro heads towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face US federal charges in New York City in January. Photo: Reuters
Russia

Russia arrests German woman over bomb plot it says is linked to Ukraine

There have been arrests of Western citizens by Russia amid the Ukraine war, typically on espionage charges that are widely seen as baseless.

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The Kremlin’s Spasskaya tower and St. Basil’s cathedral in downtown Moscow. Russia says it has arrested a German woman over a planned “terrorist attack” linked to Ukraine. Photo: AFP
The Kremlin’s Spasskaya tower and St. Basil’s cathedral in downtown Moscow. Russia says it has arrested a German woman over a planned “terrorist attack” linked to Ukraine. Photo: AFP
Russia

Kremlin denies Putin’s isolation from Russia’s woes amid blogger’s criticism

Influencer Viktoria Bonya’s 20-million-view video sparked official response and action from Moscow.

Ukraine war

Russian strikes kill at least 17 across Ukraine in worst attack this year

Officials warn the toll could rise after Russia unleashed missiles and hundreds of drones at Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine war

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares a machine gun on a combat ground drone during training. Ukrainian Armed Forces via AFP
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