South Africa said on Monday it was "friends" with Russia, as it hosted Russia's top diplomat for a visit that has sparked criticism against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

Russia's oldest human rights organization has been liquidated after a court ruled it was not correctly registered. Critics say the move is reminiscent of the Soviet era.

With Kyiv again hit by Russian air attacks, the city's mayor says Ukrainians are prepared to die for their freedom. He tells DW Russia is "unhappy" about Western tank deliveries because it is afraid of modern hardware.

Washington says Moscow is not complying with the pact as tensions soar over Russia's war in Ukraine. The treaty, which in its current state is due to continue to 2026, limits the two countries' nuclear capabilities.

China has maintained a "strategic partnership" with Ukraine for years, but as Beijing and Moscow deepen ties amid the ongoing war, Kyiv is wondering what this partnership is worth.

While on a trip to Mali, Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov announced more military support for the Malian military junta. Moscow says it will assist Mali in its bid to defeat an Islamist insurgency in the Sahel.

Russia says that Western jets will make the conflict "more painful" for Ukraine and will prolong conflict, as Zelenskyy meets with European leaders in Brussels.

A speech made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been quickly misinterpreted by many, in a video circulating on Twitter where he allegedly asks for pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Russia. Zelensky was referring to economic "strikes", not nuclear strikes. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is on a whirlwind tour of major European supporters, seeking more military hardware. He thanked lawmakers and national leaders for their help so far and called for greater speed.

According to the Moldovan leader, Russia planned to use foreign saboteurs to overthrow the small, eastern European country's leadership and prevent it from joining the European Union.

The parliament in the front line state voted in a new, pro-Western government with Prime Minister Dorin Recean at the helm. Last week, the former prime minister resigned citing a dearth of support within her own party.

South Africa has begun military exercises with both China and Russia as part of a routine army drill. The joint training has drawn immense criticism from the West, coming nearly one year on from the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.