Reliance on Russia’s military offerings has become increasingly prevalent in parts of Africa, amid an aggressive push by Moscow to lessen Western influence on the continent.

A top adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked on Friday if Moscow will be sending a representative to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration following news China's vice president will attend the event.

Just three days before US President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House, Russia and Iran have finally signed a “comprehensive partnership agreement,” a deal that had been in the works for months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Iranian counterpart Friday for the signing of a broad pact between Moscow and Tehran. The Kremlin says the “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement between Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will take their cooperation to a new level.

Russia has long used its plentiful energy resources as a tool to exert control over the region, where independence from Russian energy is tied to political sovereignty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday signed a 20-year strategic partnership treaty that includes closer defence cooperation, something likely to worry the West.

The trio were arrested as authorities intensified pressure on the jailed Kremlin critic, who died last February.

Russia will facilitate Vietnam’s participation in the BRICS bloc of developing economies as a “partner country.”

Oilfield service provider SLB on Friday said its current business in Russia still aligns with U.S. sanctions issued this month, but that revenue in the country was declining.

Over 12,000 North Korean troops are estimated to be fighting against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, the United Nations Security Council learned last week.

A Russian official said a recent oil spill in the Black Sea was unprecedented and could have been avoided, highlighting the age of the vessels involved.