In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov, left, speaks with Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Ushpiz, right, during their meeting in Moscow, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko walk during their meeting at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. Putin hosted his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko for talks on Monday, amid media reports suggesting that the leader of Belarus was coming to Russia to secure one more loan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, listens to Russian Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin during a meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.
Opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands in a cage in the Babuskinsky District Court in Moscow, Russia. Two trials against Navalny are being held Moscow City Court one considering an appeal against his imprisonment in the embezzlement case and another announcing a verdict in the defamation case.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla meets Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow.
People draw hearts with their cellphones flashlights in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia Navalnaya Moscow, Russia.
People draw hearts with their cellphones flashlights in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia Navalnaya Moscow, Russia. When the team of jailed Russia opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced a protest in a new format, urging people to come out to their residential courtyards on Sunday and shine their cellphone flashlights, many responded with jokes and skepticism. After two weekends of nationwide demonstrations, the new protest format looked to some like a retreat. But not to Russian authorities, who moved vigorously to extinguish the illuminated protests planned for Sunday.
In this photo provided by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, Emergency Ministry employees work at the scene of a powerful explosion in Vladikavkaz, Russia. A gas explosion has destroyed a supermarket building in Vladikavkaz, a city in southern Russia, local officials said. Russian news agencies reported that no one appeared to be wounded in the blast.
In this handout photo provided by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, Emergency Ministry employees work at a scene of a powerful explosion in Vladikavkaz, Russia. A gas explosion has destroyed a supermarket building in Vladikavkaz, a city in southern Russia, local officials said. Russian news agencies reported that no one appeared to be wounded in the blast.
A man bathes in an ice hole in the Neva River St. Petersburg, Russia. The temperature in St. Petersburg is -15C ( 5 °F).
In this image made from video provided by the Babuskinsky District Court, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands in a cage during a hearing on his charges for defamation, in the Babuskinsky District Court in Moscow, Russia.
Lyubov Sobol, a Russian opposition activist, is driven in a prison car to the headquarters of the Investigative Committee in Moscow, Russia. Following Navalny's arrest, authorities also have moved swiftly to silence and isolate his allies.
Servicemen of the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) gather at the Red Square to prevent a protest rally in Moscow, Russia. A Moscow court has ordered Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to prison for more than 2 1/2 years on charges that he violated the terms of his probation while he was recuperating in Germany from nerve-agent poisoning. Navalny, who is the most prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, had earlier denounced the proceedings as a vain attempt by the Kremlin to scare millions of Russians into submission.
Policemen detain a Navalny supporter during a protest in St. Petersburg, Russia. A Moscow court has ordered Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to prison for more than 2 1/2 years on charges that he violated the terms of his probation while he was recuperating in Germany from nerve-agent poisoning. Navalny, who is the most prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, had earlier denounced the proceedings as a vain attempt by the Kremlin to scare millions of Russians into submission.
Police detain a protester during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg, Russia. Thousands of people took to the streets Sunday across Russia to demand the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, keeping up the wave of nationwide protests that have rattled the Kremlin. Hundreds were detained by police.
Police stand blocking approaches to the square during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Volgograd, Russia. Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Russia to demand the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, keeping up the wave of nationwide protests that have rattled the Kremlin. Many chanted slogans against President Vladimir Putin. The authorities mounted a massive effort to stem the tide of demonstrations after tens of thousands rallied across the country last weekend in the most widespread show of discontent Russia has seen in years.
People walk on a street during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia. Thousands of people took to the streets across Russia to demand the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, keeping up the wave of nationwide protests that have rattled the Kremlin. Hundreds were detained by police.
Police detain a woman during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Vladivostok, Russia. As part of a multipronged effort by the authorities to discourage Russians from attending Sunday's demonstrations, the Prosecutor General's office ordered the state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, to block the calls for joining the protests on the internet.
People clash with police during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg, Russia. Police on Saturday arrested hundreds of protesters who took to the streets in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celcius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) to demand the release of Alexei Navalny, the country's top opposition figure. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent foe, was arrested on Jan. 17 when he returned to Moscow from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a severe nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin.
The arm of Russian artist Alla Urban is seen among her "The question" artwork as she poses for photographers at "From iron to a drop of light" exhibition in Tretyakov Picture Gallery on Krymsky Val in Moscow, Russia.
People gather in Pushkin Square during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia. Russian police on Saturday arrested hundreds of protesters who took to the streets in temperatures as low as minus-50 C (minus-58 F) to demand the release of Alexei Navalny, the country's top opposition figure.
A woman bathes in the icy waters of Lena River during a traditional Epiphany celebration as the temperature dropped to about -56 degrees (-68 degrees Fahrenheit) outside Yakutsk, Russia.
A rescue worker observes Russian Orthodox believer dipping his daughter in the icy water during a traditional Epiphany celebration in St.Petersburg, Russia. Thousands of Russian Orthodox Church followers plunged into icy rivers and ponds across the country to mark Epiphany, cleansing themselves with water deemed holy for the day. The temperature in St. Petersburg is -5C ( 23F).
A man bathes in water during a traditional Epiphany celebration as the temperature dropped to about -24 degrees (-11,2 degrees Fahrenheit) near the Achairsky monastery outside Siberian city of Omsk, Russia.
A woman crosses herself while bathing in water during a traditional Epiphany celebration as the temperature dropped to about -24 degrees (-11,2 degrees Fahrenheit) near the Achairsky monastery outside Siberian city of Omsk, Russia.
Russian Orthodox believers, one of them wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus infection, bath in the icy water during a traditional Epiphany celebration in St.Petersburg, Russia. The temperature in St. Petersburg is -5C (23F).
Russian President Vladimir Putin crosses himself while bathing in the icy water during a traditional Epiphany celebration as the temperature dropped to about -20 degrees (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) outside Moscow, Russia. Water that is blessed by a cleric on Epiphany is considered holy and pure until next year's celebration, and is believed to have special powers of protection and healing. The Russian Orthodox Church follows the old Julian calendar, according to which Epiphany falls on Jan. 19.
An ice covered street light at a shopping center in a street as the temperature dropped to about -50 degrees (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) in Yakutsk, Russia.
Frozen beef heads on display for sale at a street market as the temperature dropped to about -50 degrees (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) in Yakutsk, Russia.
A woman sells frozen fish and berries at a street market as the temperature dropped to about -50 degrees (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) in Yakutsk, Russia. Temperatures in the remote, diamond-rich Russian region of Yakutia have dropped to -50 degrees Centigrade (-58 degrees Fahrenheit).
A view of the Church of the Nativity of Christ, right, and the Church of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem in the city of Totma, about 600 km (370 miles) northeast of Moscow, Russia.
An actor dressed as Santa Claus and wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus infection speaks with a boy during the New Year celebration in a shopping mall in St.Petersburg, Russia.
A couple take a selfie photo at the Palace Square during New Year celebration in downtown St. Petersburg, Russia.
Fireworks explode over a not-too-crowded square with a Christmas tree and and the main mosque during New Year's celebrations in Grozny, Russia,
Passengers, some of them wearing Moroz (Santa Claus, or Father Frost) hats drink inside a party bus celebrating New Year driving through Moscow, Russia. While restaurants and other entertainment venues close its doors across the country at 23:00, Muscovites look for ways to bend the coronavirus restrictions. One of them is a party bus whose owners offer to spend the New Year night touring around the city and having drinks with other strangers.
Fireworks explode over the Kremlin and almost empty Red Square during New Year's celebrations near the Spasskaya Tower during New Year's celebrations, in Moscow, Russia.
A food delivery courier rides a bicycle past "2021" numbers installed to celebrate the upcoming New Year in Moscow, Russia.
Russian emergency rescue workers dressed as Ded Morozes (Santa Claus, or Father Frost) greets children as they scale the wall of a children hospital to mark the upcoming New Year celebrations, Russia. Russia, which has so far registered more than 2.9 million confirmed cases of the virus and over 52,000 deaths in the pandemic, has been swept by a rapid resurgence of the outbreak this fall, with numbers of infections and deaths significantly exceeding those reported in the spring. Usually, performers come into children's rooms, but this year because of the virus-related restrictions, the artists had to perform outside of the hospital at a significant distance.
People walk in a street with the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building in the background as Russian capital is decorated for New Year celebrations in Moscow, Russia.
Dortmund's team players, center, celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during the Champions League group F soccer match between Zenit St.Petersburg and Borussia Dortmund at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko, left, and Zenit's Magomed Ozdoev fight for the ball during the Champions League group F soccer match between Zenit St.Petersburg and Borussia Dortmund at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Zenit's Sardar Azmoun, center, and Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna, left, fight for the ball as Dortmund's goalkeeper Marwin Hitz prepares to make a save during the Champions League group F soccer match between Zenit St.Petersburg and Borussia Dortmund at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights via a video conference call at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting via video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting via video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced start of large-scale vaccination of medics and teachers against COVID next week. Speaking during an online meeting dedicated to inauguration of new hospitals for coronavirus patients built by Russian Defense Ministry, Putin said Russia has enough capacity to start "large-scale" vaccination of teachers and doctors.
Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi celebrates after scoring the third goal during the Champions League, group A, soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and RB Salzburg at the Lokomotiv stadium in Moscow, Russia.
Industrial climbers remove ice from the cables of the Russky Bridge across the Eastern Bosphorus Strait in Vladivostok, Russia. The bridge was temporarily closed after an ice storm, with a ferry service launched between Russky Island and mainland Vladivostok.
Sevilla players celebrate their 2-1 victory in the UEFA Champions League, group E, soccer match, between Krasnodar and Sevilla at the Krasnodar Stadium in Krasnodar, Russia.
Krasnodar's Igor Smolnikov, left, vies for the ball with Sevilla's Sergio Escudero during the UEFA Champions League, group E, soccer match, between Krasnodar and Sevilla at the Krasnodar Stadium in Krasnodar, Russia.
Sevilla's Munir El Haddadi, center, vies for the ball with Krasnodar's Alyaksandr Martynovich next to Krasnodar's goalkeeper Yevgeni Gorodov's, left, during the UEFA Champions League, group E, soccer match, between Krasnodar and Sevilla at the Krasnodar Stadium in Krasnodar, Russia.
A medical worker looks at a monitor treating a coronavirus patient on an artificial lung respiration at an intensive care unit in the red zone of the hospital in Ulan-Ude, the regional capital of Buryatia, a region near the Russia-Mongolia border, Russia. Russia’s health care system has been under severe strain in recent weeks, as a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic has swept the country.
A woman walks in snowfall in St.Petersburg, Russia. A cyclone has brought heavy snowfall to St. Petersburg region.
Medical workers and patients are seen in the treatment hall of a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients in the Krylatskoye Ice Palace in Moscow, Russia. The resurgence of the outbreak has swept the Russia since September, with the number of daily new cases spiking from roughly 5,000 in early September to over 22,000 this week.
This photo made from the footage provided by Russian Defense Ministry press service, shows a Russian military vehicle leaves a military cargo plane at an airport outside Yerevan, Armenia. Dozens of Russian peacekeepers destined for Nagorno-Karabakh began deploying Tuesday, hours after Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to halt fighting over the separatist region and amid signs the cease-fire would hold where others hadn't.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, listens to Syrian President Bashar Assad, right on screen, during their talks via video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia.
Lokomotiv's goalkeeper Guilherme, left, and Atletico Madrid's Luis Suarez challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group A soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Atletico Madrid in Moscow, Russia.
Lokomotiv's goalkeeper Guilherme dives but fails to save the goal from Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez during the Champions League Group A soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Atletico Madrid in Moscow, Russia.
Lokomotiv's Anton Miranchuk, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League Group A soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Atletico Madrid in Moscow, Russia.
Bayern's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer watches the ball during the Champions League group A soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Bayern Munich in Moscow, Russia.
Lokomotiv's Anton Miranchuk celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League group A soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Bayern Munich in Moscow, Russia.
Chelsea's Kai Havertz, left, and Krasnodar's Yury Gazinsky challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Krasnodar and Chelsea in Krasnodar, Russia.
Krasnodar's goalkeeper Matvei Safonov fails to save the goal from Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi during the Champions League Group E soccer match between Krasnodar and Chelsea in Krasnodar, Russia.
Lokomotiv's Grzegorz Krychowiak, left, and Bayern's Leon Goretzka challenge for the ball during the Champions League group A soccer match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Bayern Munich in Moscow, Russia
Stadium's roof is closed during the Champions League group F soccer match between Zenit St.Petersburg and Brugge at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Brugge's Emmanuel Bonaventure scores his side's opening goal during the Champions League group F soccer match between Zenit St.Petersburg and Brugge at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia
School students of 4th grade attend a physical education class in Moscow, Russia. In Moscow officials recommended the elderly to self-isolate at home and ordered employers to have 30% of their staff work remotely. Starting from Monday, school students from 6th to 11th grades also moved their studies online until Nov. 2.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov via a video call at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrates his 68th birthday on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov pose for a photo during their meeting in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland, right and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steer their cars during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly of France steers his car during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
The safety car is on the track during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Renault driver Esteban Ocon of France steers his car during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland crosses the finish line to win the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Team members cheer as Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland steers his car to win the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after placing third at the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland celebrates on the podium after winning the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Member of the Russian hydroflight team perform during the World Tourism Day celebration on the Neva River in St.Petersburg, Russia.
Race winner, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland, centre, drinks champagne by second placed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, after the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland celebrates on the podium after winning the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, left front, and Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland, right front, steers their cars during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Bikers attend a motorcycle rally marking a traditional autumn's motorcycle festival riding along the iconic Garden Ring in Moscow, Russia.
A biker rides with a family member in a 'Ural" Soviet made motorcycle with a sidecar, during a rally marking a traditional autumn's motorcycle festival riding along the iconic Garden Ring in Moscow, Russia.
A motorcyclist shows his skills during a festival marking the end of the motor biking season in St.Petersburg, Russia.
Bikers attend a motorcycle rally marking a traditional autumn's motorcycle festival riding along the iconic Garden Ring in Moscow, Russia.
A biker performs prior to a motorcycle rally marking a traditional autumn's motorcycle festival riding along the iconic Garden Ring in Moscow, Russia.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the qualifying session for the upcoming Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session for the upcoming Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia. The Russian Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday.
In this photo taken from a footage distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service. Russian rockets launch from missile systems during the main stage of the Kavkaz-2020 strategic command-and-staff exercises at the Kapustin Yar training ground, Russia.
Racing Point driver Sergio Perez of Mexico and Racing Point driver Lance Stroll of Canada attend a media conference prior to the Russian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Sochi Autodrom circuit, in Sochi, Russia. The Russian Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.
In this photo taken from a footage released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Paratroopers attend a military exercises at the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia. Russian Air Defense systems successfully repelled aerial strike during joined military drills in the south of Russia. The drills, expected to be held in Black Sea and Caspian sea waters, will take place until September 26th. Belarus, Armenia, China, Pakistan and Myanmar take part in the exercises.
In this photo taken from a footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, a rocket launches from a missile system at the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia. Russian Air Defense systems successfully repelled aerial strike during joined military drills in the south of Russia. The drills, expected to be held in Black Sea and Caspian sea waters, will take place until September 26th. Belarus, Armenia, China, Pakistan and Myanmar will also take part in the exercises.
In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, and Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdiny Tsogtbaatar walk to a hall for their talks in Moscow, Russia.
Members of historical military clubs wearing Soviet army uniform participate in the World War II battle reconstruction near Kirovsk, 45 km (28 miles) East from St.Petersburg, Russia. More then 400 members of a historical military clubs took part in a reconstruction of a battle for trying to broke the Siege of Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. More than 1 million people perished during the 900-day Nazi German and Finnish siege and blockade of Leningrad. AP/PTI Photo(AP21-09-2020_000023B)
Runners past Moscow's Kremlin while taking part in Moscow International Marathon 42,2 km (26,4 miles) in Moscow, Russia.
Runners pass Moscow's Kremlin while taking part in Moscow International Marathon 42,2 km (26,4 miles) in Moscow, Russia.
People steer their SUP boards along the Moscow River Channel during a SUP (Stand Up Paddle)-Surfing festival in Moscow, Russia.
Andrei Smirnov performs on a hydro pipe on the Moscow River Channel during a SUP (Stand Up Paddle)-Surfing festival in Moscow, Russia.
