Russia turned away independent European observers as critics said there were few avenues for genuine dissent in the country’s first wartime parliamentary elections, Maira Butt reports

Veteran Putin ally Sergei Lavrov suggested a fight with Europe would not prove difficult for Moscow

Putin has been facing declining approval ratings, mounting casualties and ‘net-zero’ territorial gains since March this year as polls open today. Experts tell Maira Butt what this could mean for the future of Russia

Moscow accused Denmark of ‘dangerous’ fly-bys near its warships

Poland’s foreign minister said that the alliance had ‘overwhelming air superiority’ over Moscow