Russia may be using the wreck of a Baltic Sea ferry that sank in 1994 for espionage and military exercises, a new report says.

Russia is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as it prepares for war with Nato, Norway’s defence minister has warned.

The new sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia will put more pressure on President Vladimir Putin, who is running out of money, troops and ideas, NATO chief Mark Rutte told reporters on Friday.

Russia believes some NATO members, in particular Poland, want to abandon restrictions on the deployment of nuclear weapons in their countries, which would aggravate “strategic risks” and tensions, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

A former senior Nato commander and naval expert has told Westminster politicians that a united Ireland would pose a strategic threat. The loss of the protection afforded by the North would deepen the threat to Britain from Russia and China, Rear Admiral Chris Parry told MPs and members of the House of Lords in a briefing on Wednesday.

The NATO mission began in January after several incidents of sabotage in the Baltic Sea, some of which has been linked to Russia.

Putin oversees nuclear drills testing Russia’s missile and bomber readiness as NATO begins its Steadfast Noon nuclear exercises in Europe

A new Danish intelligence assessment blames Russia for employing various 'gray zone' tactics against its forces.

The Polish foreign minister said he could not guarantee that Russian President Vladimir Putin's plane would not be forced to land.