South Africa has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be attending the upcoming BRICS summit in person later this year. In an exclusive interview to WION's Sidhant Sibal, South Africa's sherpa Anil Sooklal said that the leaders of all the BRICS nations have accepted their invite.

Vladimir Putin to visit South Africa in August, latter says 'invite accepted' | WION Pulse

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has accepted the invitation to attend an in-person BRICS summit in South Africa later this year in August, said BRICS South Africa Sherpa Anil Sooklal in an exclusive interview with WION.

Exclusive | Russian President Putin accepts invite for BRICS summit: South Africa's BRICS Sherpa Anil Sooklal

The United States on Wednesday called upon Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden's membership to the NATO alliance. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was on a visit to Sweden, hoped that the Russian maritime neighbour will become a NATO member before July 2023.

US steps up Russia's NATO encirclement process with wargame over Sweden

Fourteen months into the Russia-Ukraine war and a few months after President Vladimir Putin announced the partial military mobilisation of Russian citizens, Moscow is taking drastic steps to catch those evading the nation's compulsory military draft.

Russia using facial recognition to crack down on youngsters dodging compulsory military service

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited parts of Ukraine (Kherson and Lugansk) that Russia claims it annexed last year to meet the security forces and military commanders.

Russia-Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin visits Russian troops in 'annexed' Ukrainian regions

Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday (April 16) and hailed ties between the two nations, state media reported on Monday.

Chinese minister meets Putin, says willing to work with Russian military to have close communications

Vladimir Kara-Murza, Russian opposition leader and a staunch Vladimir Putin critic, was convicted of treason by a Russian court on Monday. He has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza sentenced to 25 years in prison, Navalny terms the ruling 'fascist'

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic, has been jailed for 25 years on charges including treason over criticism of Russia's offensive against its neighbour Ukraine.

WION Explains | Who is Vladimir Kara-Murza, the Kremlin critic jailed for 25 years

At discussions in Warsaw on Monday, Kyiv is attempting to re-open food and grain transit via Poland. As per Reuters, this is a "first step" to lifting the import restrictions after some nations stopped importing grain from Ukraine to safeguard their own agricultural markets from an influx of supplies.

As import bans mount Ukraine seeks re-opening of grain transit via Poland

Ukraine brings home 130 of its troops in 'big Easter POW swap' with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Easter service conducted by the Orthodox Church of the nation on Sunday (April 16). Putin and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church exchanged Easter egg decorations, just the way they have done in previous years.

Russia's Vladimir Putin attends midnight Orthodox Easter service in Moscow

Among the recently leaked documents from Pentagon also finds mention of a rumour surrounding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s deteriorating health. The papers marked “Top Secret” say that the president is undergoing chemotherapy and that Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev “devised” a plan to “sabotage” him while he undergoes medical treatment.

Putin receiving chemo for cancer, his people planning to oust him, say leaked US papers

Russian shelling on a block of flats in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk killed eight people, including a toddler, on Friday. The strike on the quiet Ukraine neighbourhood came as Russia put its naval fleet on high alert during a surprise inspection of its Pacific naval fleet.

Russian strike on Ukraine’s Sloviansk residential area kills 8; Moscow puts naval forces on high alert

Russia has conducted what it said was the successful test launch of an 'advanced' intercontinental ballistic missile, weeks after it suspended participation in its last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the United States.

Russia tests intercontinental ballistic missile; Vladimir Putin unleashes new ICBM in test launch

Kyiv on Monday alleged that Russia is using so-called "scorched earth" in its assault on Ukraine's besieged Bakhmut. As per a Reuters report, Moscow's forces are pressing attacks in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Conflicting accounts emerge from Bakhmut battleground; Ukraine says Russia using 'scorched-earth' tactic

Pope Francis reportedly called for a temporary peace in Ukraine and urged both the warring nations to halt the fighting in the run-up to Easter and Orthodox Easter week.

Russia-Ukraine war heading for Easter ceasefire? Pope Francis conveys big message

Thirty-one Ukrainian children who were illegally taken to Russia have been brought back to their home country. AFP reports that the children were taken from Ukrainian territories that, in the course of the Russia-Ukraine war, have been annexed by Moscow.

31 children that Russia 'stole' return home to Ukraine

Russia has faced resounding defeat in three separate votes in the United Nations. The loss which comes over a year into the Russia-Ukraine war bears witness to the fact that the international community maintains its opposition to Moscow's decision to invade Ukraine.

Russia loses three UN elections over Ukraine war, its ‘flagrant violation of the UN Charter’

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that Moscow has no desire to isolate itself and is open to constructive co-operation with all the nations. "I would like to stress Russia is open to constructive partnership with all countries; we do not intend to isolate ourselves from anyone, we have no preconceived or what's more hostile intentions towards anyone," said Putin.

Russia doesn't want to isolate itself, is open to global partnership, says Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday arrived in Poland, a close ally that has provided refuge to millions of Ukrainian citizens and has assisted the Kyiv government with vital weaponry.

In Poland, Zelensky receives highest honour and a promise involving Warsaw's remaining fleet of MiG-29

US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia last week on spying claims as per a Moscow court, is reportedly appealing his detention. The court on Monday made this announcement, adding that the date for this appeal is yet to be announced.

Evan Gershkovich, US journalist arrested by Russia, appeals against detention

The United States may announce a fresh $2.6 billion military aid package for war-torn Ukraine. Quoting three US officials in the know, Reuters reports that the military aid package to help Kyiv in its war against Russian aggression is expected to be announced on Monday and could include air surveillance radars, anti-tank rockets and fuel trucks.

Russia-Ukraine war | US to announce $2.6 billion military aid package for Kyiv

Xi Jinping has reportedly presented a plan to Vladimir Putin to block YouTube in Russia. Chinese experts are going to help Russia achieve this feat. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: China & Russia v/s western tech | Jinping's proposal to Putin to block YouTube in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (March 30) signed a decree on spring conscription, which will apparently begin on April 1 and last until July 15, Russian state-owned news agency RIA reported.

Putin signs decree on spring conscription, calling up 147,000 for statutory military service: Report

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