As the world prepares to herald in the arrival of 2015, we look back at the winter celebrations of the Soviet yesteryear.

Heart-wrenching but inspiring story of romance emerges as 96 year old Japanese ex-PoW pens emotional last letter to his dead Russian wife. 

Huge progress as Russia's $5 billion cosmodrome is readied for first launch.

A detained opposition activist accused of inciting mass unrest aimed at overthrowing President Putin has been additionally charged with the armed robbery. 

Ivan and Lubov Leshchenko keep the animals in the backyard of their village of Dubovy Kliuch - Oak key - in the Far East of Russia.

Sardana Avksentyeva swept to power as mayor of Russia’s diamond capital in September.

New video footage shows Amur the tiger lashing at Timur the goat - but then jumping back as if scared of the animal's horns.

Or were they 'murdered by creditors' after failing to pay back loans in economic crisis?

Anton Zhivotov killed one man with fake Jack Daniels but then confessed to police, and crowded funded money to help other victims.

Brave Timur moved into the Siberian tiger's cage, and took over his bed.