South Ossetia's self-proclaimed government said it was time for the region to "unite once and for all" with Russia. The breakaway republic was at the center of Moscow's military intervention in Georgia in 2008.

It never happened during the entire Cold War. But all these years later, Russia's border with NATO is about to double in size. Finland remains unmoved by threats out of the Kremlin over its bid to join the US-led alliance. The same goes for neighbouring Sweden, which is so concerned by Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine that it is ready to call time on two centuries of neutrality.

Russia says it is using a new laser weapon in the Ukraine war: What would such a weapon be capable of, and is there any evidence it exists?

For the first time in its over 50-year history, the annual gathering in the Swiss resort town is taking place against the backdrop of a major war in Europe. But that's not the only thing which sets this year's WEF apart.

Some Russian lawmakers have urged the death penalty for Ukraine's captured Azov steel plant fighters. But what consequences could Russia face?

Posts on social media claim that Russian forces captured a US admiral, Eric T. Olson, at the Azovstal steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. The US Department of Defense confirmed to The FRANCE 24 Observers that Eric T. Olson retired in 2011 as an admiral for the US armed forces. But the claims that he was captured in Mariupol are false. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Posts on social media claim that Russian forces captured a US admiral, Eric T. Olson, at the Azovstal steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. The US Department of Defense confirmed to The FRANCE 24 Observers that Eric T. Olson retired in 2011 as an admiral for the US armed forces. But the claims that he was captured in Mariupol are false. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

The Russia House in Davos has always sold the Russia story to global investors, but now it's having to tell a rather bitter truth. In the absence of Russians, Ukraine is making sure Moscow's excesses are not forgotten.

The opposition leader has been behind bars since January 2021 on charges of fraud. The US has described the legal process as a "sham" while human rights groups have decried his treatment in prison.

Rising food and energy prices, shortages and uncertainty. Russia's war in Ukraine and its naval blockade of Ukrainian grain exports is creating a severe international crisis. DW's Thomas Sparrow explains what the West is doing to stop it.

The Council of the Baltic Sea States, a regional grouping on Russia's doorstep, has come together to condemn the invasion of Ukraine — and present Germany with a new test of leadership.

The 13-2 vote in favor of the resolution was not enough to secure its adoption as Beijing and Moscow have veto-rights. The US said the rejection means Pyongyang "will feel free to take further escalatory actions."