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Russia's alleged election meddling
Ukraine
Russia
Vladimir Putin
Espionage
Russia’s Sarmat missile is designated ‘Satan II’ in the West. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP
Russia

Putin hails ‘world’s most powerful’ nuclear-capable missile in key test

Russian president boasts Sarmat ICBM’s capabilities months after the expiry of a nuclear treaty with the US.

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European Union

EU rejects Putin’s idea of role for ex-German leader in future security talks

Britain

UK targets Russian ‘information warfare’ with new sanctions

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia trade blame for breaking US-brokered ceasefire

Attacks reported on the second day of what was supposed to have been a three-day truce announced by Trump.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Moscow on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Moscow on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Putin says he thinks Ukraine conflict is coming to an end

The Russian leader added that a meeting with Ukraine’s Zelensky was possible only once a lasting peace deal was reached.

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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

Russia has threatened a massive strike on the heart of Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the Victory Day parade on Saturday.

Russian service members rehearsing for Saturday’s parade. Photo: Reuters
Russian service members rehearsing for Saturday’s parade. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Russia urges foreigners to leave Ukraine capital over Victory Day threat

Moscow says it will respond to any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt Saturday’s commemorations.

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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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.

A site in the southeastern city of ⁠Zaporizhzhia that was attacked on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
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.

Security personnel armed with a machine gun patrol in central Moscow. Photo: Reuters
Security personnel armed with a machine gun patrol in central Moscow. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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A service member of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces walks on a road near destroyed cars, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in the frontline town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on February 19. Photo: Reuters
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
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’.

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.

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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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Rescuers work at apartment buildings in Odesa, Ukraine, that were hit by a Russian drone strike on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Rescuers work at apartment buildings in Odesa, Ukraine, that were hit by a Russian drone strike on Monday. Photo: Reuters
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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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.

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.

Ukrainian servicemen walk along a street under an anti-drone net in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo; Reuters
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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Ukrainians light candles at the memorial of dead liquidators who died during cleaning works after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, during a ceremony in Slavutych, Ukraine, in 2006. Photo: EPA
Ukrainians light candles at the memorial of dead liquidators who died during cleaning works after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, during a ceremony in Slavutych, Ukraine, in 2006. Photo: EPA
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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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.

(From left) Foreign Ministers Badr Abdelatty of Egypt, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Ishaq Dar of Pakistan and Hakan Fidan of Turkey meet to discuss regional de-escalation in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 29. Photo: Turkish Foreign Ministry/Reuters
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