Russia

Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons has put the world in its most perilous position since the darkest days of the Cold War. But what is a tactical nuclear weapon, what's the likelihood of one being used, and what can NATO do in response to the threat?

Why has a major cyber warfare power like Russia launch so few and such ineffective cyber attacks against Ukraine and its sympathizers? New Atlas looks into the digital battle for Ukraine and its implications for the future.

Normally, Sweden building its first new class of submarines in 30 years wouldn't be of as much interest, but Saab laying the keel of its first Blekinge-class boat as Sweden waits to join NATO signals a shift in the balance of power in the Baltic Sea.

In a major upset, Roscosmos Chief Yury Borisov announced in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia will formally withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) after 2024, putting the future of the space lab in jeopardy.

The European Union is currently pumping about US$118 million a day into Russia due to its dependence on natural gas. The new REPowerEU plan is a chance to cut that figure down fast, and accelerate the transition to green energy in the process.

Described by his PR team as "like Russia's Elon Musk," serial entrepreneur Mikhail Korkorich says his new company Destinus is building a hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions, transcontinental cargo drone capable of hypersonic Mach 15 cruise speeds.

In an echo of the Cold War, Russia's first newly manufactured Tupolev Tu-160M (NATO designation Blackjack) supersonic nuclear heavy bomber completed its maiden flight on January 12, reaching a height of 600 m (2,000 ft) during its 30-minute test.

Two exceptionally well-preserved cave lion cubs have been found in the Siberian permafrost. Tens of thousands of years old, the cubs are among the most complete Ice Age specimens known, allowing close examination to determine how they lived and died.

Cantilevering dramatically out of a small hill, the Russian Quintessential is conceived as both a stunning piece of modern art and a weekend getaway. Its reflective facade and tubular form contains a compact but comfortable-looking dwelling inside.

Russia's Foundation for Advanced Research has already flown a 60-kg prototype of its Cyclocar VTOL aircraft, which uses a super-responsive cyclical propeller propulsion system. A full-size, long-range, six-seat Cyclocar is expected within a few years.

Scientists have revived microscopic animals that had been frozen in the Siberian permafrost for 24,000 years. The Bdelloid rotifers, or “wheel animals,” went right back to moving, eating and reproducing like the Ice Age was only yesterday.

UK firm Kettle Collective has unveiled plans for an ambitious megatall skyscraper that could become the world's second-tallest if realized. Envisioned for Saint Petersburg, Russia, the twisting tower would reach a dizzying height of 703 m.