Moody's cut Russia's debt rating by one notch into 'junk' territory, saying the Ukraine crisis and the fall in oil prices and the ruble will further undermine Russia's economy.
Pussy Riot, the Russian band jailed after mocking the Kremlin, has released a first English-language song that takes aim not at Vladimir Putin but at US police brutality.
US Secretary of State John Kerry called his Russian counterpart to urge him to stop separatist attacks on a strategic Ukrainian town and respect a fragile ceasefire.
First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan has officially refuted the reports suggesting that the largest Central Asian economy was intending to ban or limit imports from Russia.
Media reports suggest that Kazakhstan may resort to restricting Russian imports due to the pressure its domestic market from the significantly cheaper products offered by its Northern neighbour.
Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a controversial visit to Budapest, showing the world he still has a friend in Europe in Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Russian MPs spoke out and fans launched a Twitter campaign after the European Union slapped sanctions on a popular singer often compared to Frank Sinatra.