A bird is silhouetted against the sun as the moon blocks part of the sun during a partial solar eclipse in St. Petersburg, Russia.
People have dinner sitting on a platform raised by a crane to a height of 50 meters and silhouetting against the sun as they participate the traveling international project 'Dinner in the Sky' in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pose for a photo standing on the boat during their meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, in Russia.
People have dinner sitting on a platform raised by a crane to a height of 50 meters participating the traveling international project 'Dinner in the Sky' in St. Petersburg, Russia, with the business tower Lakhta Centre, the headquarters of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom in the background.
Sculptures of angels on the St. Isaac's Cathedral are silhouetted on the full moon rising in the clouds in St. Petersburg, Russia.
In this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, shake hands with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias during their meeting in Sochi, Russia.
The EURO 2020 trophy on display during the official EURO 2020 trophy's tour at Gorky Park, in Moscow, Russia. The second largest city in Russia, St. Petersburg will host seven postponed UEFA EURO 2020 matches, including a quarter final.
An officer speaks on walkie-talkie as the Bastion anti-ship missile systems take positions on the Alexandra Land island near Nagurskoye, Russia. Bristling with missiles and radar, Russia's northernmost military base projects the country's power and influence across the Arctic from a remote, desolate island amid an intensifying international competition for the region's vast resources. Russia's northernmost military outpost sits on the 80th parallel North, projecting power over wide swathes of Arctic amid an intensifying international rivalry over the polar region's vast resources.
People walk to lay flowers near a school after a shooting on Tuesday in Kazan, Russia. Russian officials say a gunman attacked a school in the city of Kazan and Russian officials say several people have been killed. Officials said the dead in Tuesday's shooting include students, a teacher and a school worker. Authorities also say over 20 others have been hospitalised with wounds.
People stand near a school with flowers after a shooting in Kazan, Russia. Russian officials say a gunman attacked a school in the city of Kazan and Russian officials say several people have been killed. Officials said the dead in Tuesday's shooting include students, a teacher and a school worker. Authorities also say over 20 others have been hospitalized with wounds.
Ambulances and police cars and a truck are parked at a school after a shooting in Kazan, Russia. Russian media report that several people have been killed and wounded in a school shooting in the city of Kazan. Russia's state RIA Novosti news agency reported the shooting took place Tuesday morning, citing emergency services.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a gala match with the participation of Russian hockey legends as part of the final stage of the X All-Russian Night Hockey League festival in the Bolshoi Ice Palace in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia.
Guns fire a salute during Victory Day, the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Fireworks explode over the Moscow's University during the celebration of the Victory Day in Moscow, Russia marking the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
Interior ministry academy cadets march during the Victory Day military parade at Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Honour guard soldiers train prior to the Victory Day military parade at Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Fireworks explode over the Moscow's University during the celebration of the Victory Day in Moscow, Russia.
Fireworks explode over the Moscow's University during the celebration of the Victory Day in Moscow, Russia.
Russian warplanes fly over Red Square leaving trails of smoke in colours of the national flag during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian warplanes fly over Red Square leaving trails of smoke in colours of the national flag during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missile rolls in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missile rolls in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Soviet tanks T-34 roll toward Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
In this photo taken with long time exposure, Russian paratroopers march toward Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
In this photo taken with long time exposure, Russian soldiers march toward Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian Army's officers march toward Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian military cadets march toward Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian military cadets march toward Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu salutes to his soldiers as he is driven along Red Square in the Aurus Senat car during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, second from right, and Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmon, right, shake hands with WWII veterans before the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, marking the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
Russian Army soldiers march during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian Army paratroopers march during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian servicemen enter Red Square with the Spasskaya Tower at the background to attend a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian Air Force's Mi-26 helicopters fly over Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian Army tanks roll during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian military cadets march along Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian T-80BVM tanks roll along Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system rolls along Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russia's Air Force strategic bomber Tu-160, centre, and Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jets fly over Red Square during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missiles roll during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian military planes fly over Red Square during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Legendary Soviet era T-34 tanks roll during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian servicewomen march during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian military cadets march along Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.
Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems roll during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia.
Russian military vehicles roll along Tverskaya street toward Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia. The parade will take place at Moscow's Red Square on May 9 to celebrate 76 years of the victory in WWII.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Easter service in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Eastern Orthodox churches observe the ancient Julian calendar, and this year celebrate the Orthodox Easter on May 2.
Communists party supporters with red flags march marking Labour Day, also knows as May Day near Red Square in Moscow, Russia.
Parked Russian military vehicles preparing to roll along Tverskaya street toward Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia. The parade will take place at Moscow's Red Square on May 9 to celebrate 76 years of the victory in WWII.
Russian military vehicles prepare to roll along Tverskaya street toward Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia. The parade will take place at Moscow's Red Square on May 9 to celebrate 76 years of the victory in WWII.
A worker washes a monument for heroes of the town of Krasnodon who died fighting of the Soviet Union against Nazi German troops during World War II, during preparation for Victory Day in St. Petersburg, Russia. Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday, commemorating the Red Army's determination and losses in World War II.
A young woman poses for a selfie at Red Square which is under preparations for the Victory Parade during sunset in Moscow, Russia. Russia will celebrate celebrate 76 years of the victory in WWII on May 9, 2021.
This handout photo taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service shows, Russian military's armored vehicles roll into landing vessels after drills in Crimea.
This handout photo taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service shows, Russian troops board landing vessels after drills in Crimea. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered troops back to their permanent bases after a massive military buildup that caused Ukrainian and Western concerns.
Russian actress Marina Zudina arrives at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Moscow International Film Festival in Moscow, Russia.
Russian actress Ekaterina Klimova arrives at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Moscow International Film Festival in Moscow, Russia.
Russian communist supporters hold their flags and portraits of Vladimir Lenin as they walk to visit the Mausoleum of the Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin to mark the 151st anniversary of his birth, in Moscow, Russia.
An electronic screen, installed on the facade of a business tower, shows an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking during his annual state of the nation address and a quote from his address in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Riot police blocks traffic during the opposition rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia. Police across Russia have arrested more than 180 people in connection with demonstrations in support of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, according to a human rights group.
Russian policemen stand in preparation for a possible opposition rally in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Khabarovsk, 6,100 kilometers (3,800 miles) east of Moscow, Russia.
A protester runs away from the police during a protest in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny in St. Petersburg, Russia. Large numbers of people have been detained across the country in connection with the protests.
Russia's Artyom Dzyuba, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup 2022 group H qualifying soccer match between Russia and Slovenia at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia
Russian fans are seen in the stands before the World Cup 2022 group H qualifying soccer match between Russia and Slovenia at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia.
Daria Kasatkina of Russia holds her trophy after winning the final match against Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy 2021 tennis tournament final match in St.Petersburg, Russia.
Daria Kasatkina of Russia serves during the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy 2021 tennis tournament final match against Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in St.Petersburg, Russia.
Margarita Gasparyan of Russia returns the ball to Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia during the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy-2021 tennis tournament match in St.Petersburg, Russia.
Members of the Taliban delegation from the left: Khairullah Khairkhwa, former western Herat Governor and one of five Taliban released from the U.S. prison on Guantanamo Bay in exchange for U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl, Suhail Shaheen, member of negotiation team, Mohammad Naeem, spokesman for the Taliban's political office attend their joint news conference in Moscow, Russia. The Taliban warned Washington against defying a May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of American and NATO troops from Afghanistan promising a "reaction".
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media after attending a concert marking the seventh anniversary of the referendum on the state status of Crimea and Sevastopol and its reunification with Russia, in Moscow, Russia.
Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia returns the ball to Wang Xinyu of China during the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy-2021 tennis tournament match in St.Petersburg, Russia.
People watch a castle-shape wooden construction burning as part of celebrations at the Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) festival at the Nikola-Lenivets art park in Nikola-Lenivets village, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) south-west of Moscow, Russia. Maslenitsa is an Orthodox Christian holiday celebrated in the last week before the Orthodox Lent.
Men participate in a mass fight competition during Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) holiday celebrations at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Maslenitsa is an Orthodox Christian holiday celebrated in the last week before the Orthodox Lent. The festivities feature baking traditional pancakes, sleigh rides, sparring between groups of men and, finally burning the effigy of Maslenitsa.
An elderly Chechen man walks to pray at a snow-covered cemetery, a memorial to the Stalin-era deportation's victims, in Grozny, Russia. Chechens and Ingush were victims of the 1944 deportations to the barren steppes of then-Soviet Central Asia.
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.
