Russia has detained four men on terror charges for their alleged involvement in a massacre at a Moscow concert hall, where at least 137 people were killed. The death toll may rise as over 100 individuals are currently hospitalized.

Voters in Russia express their support for Vladimir Putin in the upcoming election, believing his re-election will bring peace. Despite the ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, supporters, including an Orthodox nun and an elderly voter, see no contradiction in their stance, aligning with the Russian Orthodox Church's backing of Putin's 'traditional family values' against a 'decadent liberal West.' State television heavily features Putin, and the election excludes opposition candidates. The desire for peace is a common theme among voters, despite the conflict in Ukraine and recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian border regions.

A Russian court has extended the detention of US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, until April 5 on charges of failing to register as a 'foreign agent' and spreading 'false information' about Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Kurmasheva, who faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, had her passports confiscated and was arrested last year. Her employer and the US State Department have condemned the charges as politically motivated. Another US journalist, Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal, is also detained in Russia on espionage charges. RFE/RL is advocating for the US to designate Kurmasheva as 'wrongfully detained' to gain additional diplomatic support for her release.

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated at a security conference in the Moscow region that the Ukrainian army's resources are nearly depleted and that despite Western support, Kyiv is not achieving results.

Almost five thousand people have fled their villages near Russia's southwestern border with Ukraine due to intensifying shelling. They are seeking shelter in accommodation centres provided by the city of Belgorod, with many settling temporarily at the Belgorod Sports arena. The mayor of Belgorod, Valentin Demidov, is working to re-settle people quickly into dormitories and premises suitable for permanent residence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrates his 70th birthday amidst praise from allies, including Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kiril who stated Putin was placed in power by God. Despite international isolation following military operations in Ukraine and recent setbacks, Putin remains committed to Russia's prominence on the world stage. He views the fall of the USSR as a geopolitical catastrophe and seeks to counter NATO and EU expansion. A referendum during the pandemic allowed Putin to potentially stay in power until 2036. His stance on Ukraine is firm, seeing it as a red line and a victim of Western conspiracies. Putin's actions are driven by a desire to restore Russia's influence and halt the progression of time, as interpreted by political analyst Alexéi Makarkin.

Russia, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, prioritizes the exploitation of Arctic resources such as oil, gas, and minerals. The region serves as a hub for Russian LNG exports, with companies like Novatek and Total involved. The Northern Sea Route, becoming more accessible due to climate change, is key to delivering hydrocarbons to Southeast Asia. Russia's unique nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet, managed by Rosatom, is expanding to support increased Arctic traffic. Despite environmental concerns, Russia acknowledges the economic opportunities for local and global economies and plans to continue leveraging the Arctic's potential.

The article discusses the impact of climate change on the Arctic, as observed by Dmitry Lobusov, captain of the Russian icebreaker '50 Let Pobedy'. Lobusov notes the significant reduction in perennial ice, which is thicker and more difficult for icebreakers to navigate. Russia's meteorological service, Rosgidromet, confirms that Arctic ice is now much thinner than in the 1980s, and the ice cover is rapidly melting, hitting record lows. Russia, which is warming at an accelerated rate, has seen President Putin shift his stance on climate change, now taking steps to reduce carbon emissions. Despite this, Viktor Boyarsky, a Polar explorer, believes that human activity is not the primary cause of global warming and views its effects as reversible, a position at odds with the scientific consensus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised a 'harsh' response to Western provocations in his annual address, while thousands protested for the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny amid tensions with Western countries over Navalny's imprisonment and hunger strike, and Russian military buildup near Ukraine. Over 1,000 people were detained nationwide, with 351 in Saint Petersburg. Putin ignored Western calls to withdraw troops from the Ukraine border and discussed economic and health crises, promising more aid for families and addressing food price inflation ahead of legislative elections. He praised Russia's scientific achievements in developing three COVID-19 vaccines, aiming for herd immunity by fall. Despite a ban on protests, demonstrations occurred across Russia, with chants against Putin and calls for Navalny's release. UN experts expressed concern for Navalny's life and suggested he be allowed to receive medical treatment abroad.