Just a few years ago, the idea of a foreign spouse settling in Russia would have seemed perverse, as many locals saw an international marriage as their ticket out of the poverty and lawlessness of the post-Soviet era.

Russian Premier League side CSKA Moscow has given itself a New Year gift with an Asian twist, signing Japanese international Keisuke Honda from Dutch side VVV-Venlo.

A lot is expected from Russian figure skaters at the Olympics, with the return of veterans like Evgeny Pluschenko boosting gold medal prospects and a new breed of juniors blossoming just at the right time.

Starting January 1, Russia is heading the Commonwealth of the Independent States, taking its turn after Moldova.

Russia says it

Vladimir Putin is the man who shaped Russia

Analysts and the media are summing up the results of the Russian foreign policy in 2009.

Dinamo Minsk have claimed the prestigious European ice hockey trophy, the Spengler Cup, contested annually in Davos, Switzerland.

Participants of an opposition rally in the center of Moscow have been detained by police.

They will deny it with all their hearts, but Russians are terribly superstitious and follow their customs religiously, especially at New Year