With Ukraine steadily advancing to recapture territories annexed by Russia, Moscow has been left red-faced and struggling to explain the embarrassing setbacks.
US says Russia added 7,000 more troops along Ukraine border despite pullback claims - Russian Defense Ministry video shows a trainload of armored vehicles moving across a bridge away from Crimea which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014
Is war on cards? Putin says ready to discuss Ukraine with US and NATO, West remains cautious - President Putin said he does not want war and would rely on negotiations in his efforts to eliminate any chance that Ukraine could one day join NATO.
After days with no sign of de-escalation, the Russian defense ministry reports that some troops are returning to base after completing military drills. Markets respond.