The Latest Breaking News from Kremlin

Protests after Russia calls up reservists and repeats nuclear threats; ‘referendums’ announced for four occupied regions; and life after liberation

IT workers, bankers and journalists are among the professionals to be excluded from the draft, says defence ministry.

Russia on Friday began staging U.N.-condemned “votes” on annexing the roughly fifth of neighboring Ukraine it occupies in a step that marks a new escalation in the spiraling conflict between President Vladimir Putin and the U.S. and its allies.

One-way economy flights sell out after Kremlin announces military mobilisation

The Kremlin leader is notorious for holding grudges, and holds immense power and influence over the majority of companies in the Eastern European state

Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a partial mobilisation follows Russia’s strategic and operational failures in Ukraine. It also confirms the Kremlin’s inability to think outside the box of its old doctrine. Moscow’s response remains the same as before – to overwhelm the enemy by sending in a bigger army.

Former Russian generals tell Al Jazeera that while the prospect of nuclear war remains slim, the situation could change.

Finland and Georgia reported heavy traffic on their borders

Russia said on Friday it was exempting some bankers, IT workers and journalists from being drafted into the army to serve in Ukraine under President Vladimir Putin's mobilisation.