An investigation by the Russian outlet Proekt has revealed that at least 24 relatives of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin received his help in securing positions within government or state-affiliated institutions.

Officials in Washington say the U.S. has identified key targets inside Venezuela that are tied to drug trafficking operations.

One in six Russian adults takes a dimmer view of President Vladimir Putin after watching a video investigation by jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny that links a luxury palace to the Russian leader,

Russia has recently conducted tests of three nuclear-capable weapons, demonstrating its military strength to the West. The latest developments feature a nuclear-powered missile, an underwater drone, and a specially designed submarine to deploy the drone.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given state awards to the developers of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater torpedo, the latest signal in what analysts have cast as efforts by the Kremlin to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine.

As relations between Washington and Moscow grow increasingly strained, Russian officials are signalling a new challenge to the United States.

President Vladimir Putin said at talks on Monday with embattled Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko that Russia had agreed a $1.5 billion loan with Minsk but the Belarusian people should resolve the crisis without foreign interference.