Russia

Erdogan, Obama agree on need to reduce tensions

Turkish, American Presidents agree on the need to reduce tensions after Turkish forces shoot down a Russian plane.

Watch: Syrian rebels blow up Russian helicopter after jet downed

At least one Russian soldier confirmed dead in incident; chopper was taking part in rescue operation to find pilots of jet downed by Turkey.

US backs Turkey over downing of Russian jet

US military says Turkey warned Russian jet 10 times before shooting it down, but can't confirm which side of the border it was on.

What are the implications of Turkey downing Russian jet?

Analysis: Russia's aggressive, unilateralist policies made such an incident almost inevitable - but will Moscow now move to deescalate?

EU cautions Russia, Turkey to stay 'calm'

EU president calls for cool-headedness in 'dangerous moment' after downing of jet; EU foreign envoy: 'need to avoid escalation.'

Video: Syrian rebels spray gunfire at parachuting Russian pilots

Footage emerges of Russian air force jet going down along Syrian-Turkish border, rebels firing at prone pilot.

Putin warns Turkey of 'serious consequences' for downing jet

Calling downing of plane a 'stab in the back' by 'accomplices of terrorists,' Putin threatens Turkey, saying plane was in Syrian airspace.

Turkey shoots down Russian warplane near Syria

Major international crisis brewing as Ankara, Moscow trade accusations; one pilot killed by Syrian rebels, another missing.

Putin in Tehran for first time in eight years

Russian president arrives in Iran to discuss mutual backing of Assad, and expanding business ties in wake of nuclear deal.

Russia pounds ISIS as maneuvers force flight rerouting

Russia makes largest strikes in Syria since stat of war, as UN encourages countries to be tougher on ISIS.

Russia, France push UN resolutions fighting ISIS

In wake of Paris attacks and bombing of Russian plane, two countries vow to work together militarily and diplomatically to defeat ISIS.

Russia starts 'hunting' ISIS fuel trucks

Russia launches 'free hunt' for tanker trucks in areas controlled by ISIS, in attempt to financially cripple the jihadist group.

Thanks to Assad's strikes: 95% of Aleppo doctors gone

Physicians for Human Rights documents 10 Russian air strikes on medical facilities since October, details regime bombardment of hospitals.

Al Qaeda claims it downed two Russian drones in Syria

Nusra Front rebel group says it took down the drones over a military airport in northern Syria.

Russia and France seal new 'alliance'

In phone call Putin and Hollande agree to coordinate war against ISIS together, Putin orders navy to work 'as allies' with France.

Russia: We don't consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister says his country doesn't think Hezbollah is a terror organization, says it has never attacked Russia.

Russia deploys missile system able to hit Tel Aviv planes

Moscow places S-400 'Growlers' in Syria's Latakia base, in an escalation that places Ben-Gurion Airport within range.

West dismisses Russian outline on Syria

Envoys say Russia's proposal for reform in Syria is not enough.

Russia to propose 18-month reform in Syria

Russia wants Syrian government and opposition to agree to constitutional reform followed by presidential elections, draft document reveals.

Putin: We have new weapons to penetrate US missile defense

Putin reveals he started deploying new weapons to beat 'any missile defenses,' says he is building strategic nuclear threat against US.

Russian PM admits terrorist attack may be reason for plane crash

Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev says passenger plane that crashed in Sinai may have been downed by terrorist bomb.

Russia says it signed S-300 missile contract with Iran

Russian official reveals contract signed on supplying advanced missile system possibly capable of thwarting strike on nuclear facilities.

Israeli intelligence showed that ISIS destroyed Russian jet

Israel reportedly provided the intercepted phone calls in which ISIS brag about taking down plane in Sinai.

Report: Russian airliner downed by British jihadis

Intelligence sources have reason to believe British nationals who joined ISIS were responsible for bombing plane in Sinai.

Russia angered by Charlie Hebdo cartoons on plane crash

Kremlin condemns satirical magazine for publishing political cartoons on the Metrojet plane crash.

Suspected Russian strikes kill 23 Syrian civilians

Suspected Russian airstrikes against Syrian rebels kill 23 civilians.

ISIS frees 37 kidnapped Syrian Christians

ISIS released 37, mostly elderly, from the over 200 kidnapped in February.

Russia again carries out airstrikes near ancient Syrian city

Russia's air force says it carried out strikes near the ISIS-held city of Palmyra for the second time this week.

Russia sent anti-aircraft missile systems to Syria

Russian air force chief says 50 aircraft deployed, along with anti-aircraft batteries; 'We took into account every possible threat.'

US accuses Russia of making Syria worse

Russian airstrikes in Syria have displaced at least 120,000 people, senior US official Anne Patterson tells House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Why are Russians flocking to join Syria mission?

Sources say veterans of covert Soviet op. to prop up Damascus after Israeli invasion of Lebanon among those drafted to save Assad.

Russia says Syria 'opposition' guided airstrikes

For the first time Moscow says it worked with unspecified 'opposition groups' to target ISIS in Syria.

US intelligence: Terror likely not what brought down Russian jet

Intelligence officials veer away from terrorism in investigation of Metrojet crash; black boxes slated to reveal more.

Russian airstrikes hit Syria's Palmyra region

Russia's air force strikes the area around the ancient city of Palmyra, where ISIS has destroyed ancient artifacts.

Russian airliner 'exploded in mid-air'

Russia’s top aviation official says Metrojet plane that crashed over the Sinai broke up at high altitude.

ISIS claims downing of Russian airliner, no survivors

All 224 passengers and crew killed in Metrojet crash over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

US Intelligence Chief says Russia 'winging it' in Syria

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says 'impulsive' Putin doesn't really have a long-term plan for intervention.

Monitor confirms Russian airstrikes near Israeli border

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights notes this is first time Russian planes have carried out strikes in southern Daraa province.

Sources: Russia helping Iran deliver weapons to Syria

Western sources say Russia has been helping Iran deliver weapons into Syria twice a day over the past 10 days.

Russian student arrested over attempt to join Syria terrorists

Russia places 19-year-old female student behind bars on suspicion of attempting to join a terrorist group in Syria.

Russia rejects UN resolution on Syrian barrel bombs

Russia says it will not back a proposed draft UN Security Council resolution aimed at stopping barrel bomb attacks in Syria.

Are Russia and Iran serious about Syria talks?

Saudi FM says if Assad allies are serious 'we will know, and if they aren't we'll stop wasting time with them.'

Russia launches record 24-hour bombing blitz in Syria

Russian jets hit 118 targets in a day, beating Monday's previous record, as Moscow escalates airstrike campaign.

Family buries Russian soldier dead in Syria, doubts suicide

Family and friends insist foul play involved in death of 19-year-old soldier Vadim Kostenko, but authorities claim it was suicide.

Russia blames 'information war' for hospital bombing reports

Deputy defense minister demands Western military attaches confirm or refute reports of mass civilian casualties and hospital bombings.

Report: Russian jets strike rebel positions near Israeli border

Iranian news agency claims Russian air force hits jihadist targets close to the Golan Heights, in what would be closest strikes to Israel.

First Russian serviceman dies in Syria

As military intervention continues, Russia's military claims 19-year-old recruit committed suicide - but others cast doubt on that claim.

Russia: Assad willing to hold new elections

According to Russian legislator Alexnader Yushchenko, Syria's president is ready to take part in polls 'if the people are not against it.'

Russia and Iran to strengthen cooperation in Middle East

Russia and Iran agree to strengthen their cooperation in order to bring stability and security to the Middle East.

Playing both sides? Russia offers air cover for Syrian rebels

Syrian rebels incredulous at Russian offer, as Russian air force still pounding their positions; but analysts say it could signal a shift.

Syrian doctors: Russia bombed nine hospitals

Syrian-American Medical Society reveals Russia is hitting medical facilities and killing staff; latest strike kills 10, wounds 28.

Russian Airstrike Hits Syrian Field Hospital, Kills 13

At least 127 of the 370 killed in Russia's aerial war over Syria were civilians, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.

Russia Proposes Meeting of Middle East Peace Quartet

Given the 'extremely tense situation' in Israel, Moscow calls for Mideast peace mediators - Russia, US, EU and UN - to gather.

Assad Makes Secretive Surprise Visit to Moscow

Assad makes secretive first foreign visit abroad since war started in 2011; in Moscow, hints of a new diplomatic front are raised.

US, Russia Sign Memorandum to Avoid Syria Dogfights

In order to avoid 'incidents' between US and Russian jets conducting Syria airstrikes, two sides seal safety measure memorandum.

Syria: Russian Airstrikes Kill 370 in 20 Days

At least a third of casualties are civilians, including dozens of women and children - only 52 ISIS.

Battle-Weary Syrian Army Struggles Despite Russian Air War

Much-vaunted Russian airstrikes have 'restored morale' to fatigued regime forces - but achieved little else so far.

Watch: US Army Chief Inspects IDF Guard of Honor

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford in Israel for his first official overseas trip to discuss Iran, Syria and Russia.

Hamas Appeals to Russia to 'Stop Israeli Aggression'

According to Hamas statement, Khaled Mashaal spoke with Russia's Deputy FM who promised to take action against Israel.

Moscow: Hundreds Protest Russian Intervention in Syria

One arrest made at rally demanding an end to Russian airstrikes. Police block route to prevent more protesters joining.