Sergei Shoigu

A serviceman stands atop of an armored vehicle of the Wagner Group military company, as he guards an area at the HQ of the Southern Military District in a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (AP)

US spy agencies reportedly detected early signs of Russia revolt by Wagner chief

Intelligence officials conducted briefings on potential for unrest in nuclear-armed country a full day before it unfolded, Washington Post and New York Times report

June 25, 2023, 6:50 am

US spy agencies reportedly detected early signs of Russia revolt by Wagner chief

Intelligence officials conducted briefings on potential for unrest in nuclear-armed country a full day before it unfolded, Washington Post and New York Times report

By AFP

In this handout photo taken from video released by Prigozhin Press Service, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, records his video addresses in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP)

June 24, 2023, 10:32 pm

Rebellious Wagner chief announces surprise halt of march on Moscow, return to bases

Mercenaries were 200 kilometers from capital prior to deal negotiated by Belarusian autocrat Lukashenko

By AP

This photo taken from video released on Thursday, March 16, 2023, shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, over the Black Sea, the Pentagon said. (US Department of Defense via AP)

March 16, 2023, 3:41 pm

US releases video of Russian jet dumping fuel on American drone

Plane can be seen spraying MQ-9 Reaper in apparent bid to blind its optical instruments and drive it out of the area; Russia accuses US of provocations

By Karl Ritter and Dino Hazell

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the launch ceremony of the Kovykta gas field and part of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline from Kovykta to Chayanda via video link at the Kremlin in Moscow, on December 21, 2022. (Mikhail Kireyev / Sputnik / AFP)

December 21, 2022, 5:30 pm

Putin says Russia will continue improving combat readiness of its nuclear forces

Moscow has faced a series of humiliating setbacks on the ground in Ukraine; Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu proposes increasing personnel in Ukraine to 1.5 million soldiers

By AFP

Russian troops guard an entrance of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station, a run-of-river power plant on the Dnieper River in Kherson region, south Ukraine, on May 20, 2022. (AP Photo, File)

November 9, 2022, 9:13 pm

Russia announces retreat from occupied Kherson; Ukrainian officials doubtful

Inability to supply troops in city occupied since opening days of invasion cited as reason for withdrawal, but Kyiv says ‘no signs’ troops leaving and warns of Russian ‘theater’

By SAM MEDNICK and ToI Staff

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the heads of delegations of the Conference of Heads of Security and Intelligence Agencies of the Commonwealth of Independent States countries via a videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 26, 2022. (Alexei Babushkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

October 26, 2022, 5:42 pm

Putin monitors simulation of ‘massive nuclear strike’ by strategic forces

Russian leader repeats claim Ukraine plotting to set off a ‘dirty bomb’ in a false flag attack, as defense chief discusses allegation with his Chinese and Indian counterparts

By AP

A Ukrainian serviceman reacts as a self-propelled artillery vehicle fires near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, October 22, 2022. (AP Photo/LIBKOS)

October 23, 2022, 11:20 pm

Russia warns of ‘dirty bomb’ provocation by Ukraine; Zelensky slams claim

Ukrainian president suggests Moscow may be setting the stage to deploy a radioactive device, as its forces struggle to stem counteroffensive

By ANDREW MELDRUM

A vendor sells blue and yellow balloons in honor of the country's National Flag Day, at Maidan Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, August 23, 2022. (David Goldman/AP)

August 24, 2022, 9:28 pm

Ukraine marks Independence Day amid fears of heavy bombardment

President Zelensky warns ‘brutal’ strikes by Russians a possibility; congratulatory messages from world leaders also denounce Russia over its campaign

By Derek Gatopoulos and INNA VARENYTSIA

Russian soldiers set a Russian national flag and a replica of the Victory banner after capturing the eastern village of Bilohorivka which is now a territory under the Government of the Luhansk People's Republic control, eastern Ukraine, July 3, 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

July 4, 2022, 5:41 pm

Russia declares victory in Donbas region of Luhansk as Ukrainian forces withdraw

Putin calls on Russian military units to ‘rest’ and ‘increase their combat capabilities’ after taking control; Ukrainian forces retreat to avoid being surrounded

By FRANCESCA EBEL

A man walks past a shelter covering the exploded reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, in Chernobyl, Ukraine, on April 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

March 31, 2022, 8:52 pm

Russian troops leaving Chernobyl after getting radiation – Ukraine nuclear agency

Energoatom claims soldiers retreated after ‘becoming sick’ in highly radiated area; adds that Moscow signed off on document handing over control of the power plant

By Nebi Qena and YURAS KARMANAU

Photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Feb. 16, 2022. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks to officers on a military helicopter during naval exercise in the Mediterranean (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

March 25, 2022, 8:11 am

After speculation on his disappearance, Russian defense minister surfaces for moment

Sergei Shoigu’s 2-week absence from public view has prompted questions; new short clip shows him on conference call with Putin

By ToI Staff and Agencies

A woman passes a billboard showing Russian President Vladimir Putin in Damascus, Syria, Monday, March 7, 2022. The Arabic reads, "The victory for Russia." (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

March 11, 2022, 12:39 pm

Putin backs plans to bring ‘volunteer’ fighters from Middle East to Ukraine

Russian defense minister says he knows of ‘more than 16,000 applications’ from fighters who fought alongside Russian troops in Syria

By Agencies

A MiG-31 fighter jet of the Russian air force carrying a Kinzhal hypersonic cruise missile is parked at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria, February 15, 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

February 15, 2022, 11:03 pm

Russia sends warplanes, hypersonic missiles to Syria for major naval drills

Deployment includes nuclear-capable bombers, fighter jets carrying state-of-the-art projectiles, in apparent showcase of Russian ability to counter US forces in region

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

An instructor trains members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units, in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

January 23, 2022, 5:48 am

‘Planning an attack’: UK says Moscow trying to install pro-Russia leader in Ukraine

British Foreign Office says it has information showing Russian intelligence is in contact with Ukrainian politicians to prepare for a takeover of Kyiv

By James Pheby

Russian paratroopers load into a plane for airborne drills during maneuvers in Taganrog, Russia, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo)

April 22, 2021, 7:53 pm

Russia to pull back troops from Ukraine border, but keep weapons near

Moscow’s defense chief says soldiers will later return for another drill, following largest military buildup near the border since 2014 annexation of Crimea

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV