Vladimir Putin's regime has made moves to grow the Russian military and could strike elsewhere if peace is achieved in Ukraine.

Russian officials say Russia’s delegation has arrived in Istanbul for peace talks with Ukraine. ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Russia's delegation arrived in Istanbul for peace talks with Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

The UK Defense Ministry said a combination of bad handling and storage practices were "highly likely" to have caused the catastrophic blasts in April.

The explosions at a large arsenal in the Vladimir region of the Russian Federation, which resulted in the loss of about 105,000 tons of various ammunition, were caused by negligent handling. — Ukrinform.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski says is ordering the closure of Russia’s consulate in the southern city of Krakow after Polish authorities said Russia was responsible for a fire that destroyed a shopping center in Warsaw last year.

Ukrainian drone strikes have heightened anxiety across Moscow ahead of this year’s May 9 parade on Red Square, where President Vladimir Putin will be watching with other leaders.

NATO's eastern flank has grown increasingly nervous that Moscow's forces could quickly rebuild after a ceasefire in Ukraine.