Russia published an action plan to mitigate risks associated with present and future climate change in the country. The report also outlines "positive" effects of changes in the climate.

Yakutsk, Russia, can be found in the province of Siberia, nearly 300 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Records show that the lowest temperature ever recorded there was -83 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in the country's war-torn east exchanged 200 prisoners, swapping detained fighters for civilians and servicemen held captive in some cases for years in two breakaway regions.

The Ukrainian government has exchanged 200 prisoners with Russian-backed separatists in a pre-planned exchange. The swap may indicate the start of a better working relationship between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine's Naftogaz and Russia's Gazprom have signed a deal that will keep natural gas flowing to Western Europe. The accord builds on a number of diplomatic steps this month between Moscow and Kyiv.

Ukrainian authorities and pro-Russian separatists in the war-torn east of the country swap dozens of prisoners in a frontline operation that stirred controversy in Kiev.

China and Russia have been sharply criticized for vetoing a UN resolution to extend cross-border aid to Syria. Aid groups have warned of a humanitarian disaster if the life-saving assistance were to stop.

Russia's energy minister says despite US sanctions, Moscow will proceed to finish the Baltic Sea pipeline. Germany is dependent on imports for 92% of its gas needs; Washington wants a slice of the lucrative supply trade.

The EU has called on forces allied to rival Libyan governments to return to the negotiating table and end the conflict by political means. But the entry of Russia and Turkey into the conflict could complicate the matter.

The EU has called on forces allied to rival Libyan governments to return to the negotiating table and end the conflict by political means. But the entry of Russia and Turkey into the conflict could complicate the matter.

A shooting took place near the headquarters of Russia's FSB security agency in Moscow. Russian media have identified the gunman who shot dead at least one FSB officer as a 39-year-old former private security guard.

The Russian president has turned heads with remarks on climate change, the eastern Ukrainian conflict and Trump's impeachment. In his end-of-year press conference, he said he thought a new arms race with the US "is bad."