A British naval supply ship with an on-board helicopter was deployed to track the stealthy Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar, the Royal Navy said.

MOSCOW, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by phone on Thursday and reassured him of Moscow's support for his government's course in the face of growing external pressure,

Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraine's forces have withdrawn from the front line, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in comments published Friday in Russian business daily Kommersant.

Russia said on Monday that it had captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, in claims that Kyiv has yet to confirm or deny.

MOSCOW, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday that Ukraine had launched a major aerial attack with at least 287 drones downed over a number of regions including Moscow. Russia's defence ministry said at least 40 drones were shot down over the Moscow region,

The German foreign ministry’s announcement, which Russia denied, was the latest suggestion of growing Russian aggression in Europe.

Despite Russia's previous support for Assad, Russian influence in Syria not only endures thanks to energy ties but has expanded and formalized.

Russia attacked two Ukrainian ports on Friday, damaging three Turkish-owned vessels including a ship carrying food supplies, Ukrainian officials and one ship owner said, days after Moscow threatened to cut "Ukraine off from the sea".