Sergey Shoigu

Outgoing defense minister is now widely expected to take helm of Russia’s powerful Security Council.

Moscow to rehearse deployment of nuclear weapons in response to ‘provocations and threats’ by Western officials.

With long-range munitions now headed for Kyiv, Moscow revives earlier plan to erect ‘buffer zone’ between warring territories.

Ukraine claims to have captured another village in Donetsk, although Russian sources dispute the assertion. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu says Kyiv’s military is ‘almost exhausted,’ and a NATO official floats the idea of making Ukraine an alliance member in exchange for ceding territory to Russia.

Under the cover of night and tight security, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin met Tuesday for “late night” talks.