Corey Flintoff

To celebrate the feast of Epiphany marking the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, thousands of Russian Orthodox faithful take a dip in icy waters. How does it feel? "Absolutely good," one man says.

Russian tourists love the beaches of Egypt and Turkey. But the recent losses of a Russian civilian plane in Egypt and a military plane along the Turkish border have changed their plans.

Boris Nemtsov was murdered last February. Prosecutors indicted four men in the killing but they say the alleged mastermind is still at large. The opposition says the charges are part of a cover-up.

Long-haul truck drivers are protesting new road fees they say will hurt their business. The drivers are part of the blue-collar workforce that normally gives President Putin his strongest support.

Near the end of this year saw a collision between the headstrong leaders of two powerful countries: Russia and Turkey. There are worries that a Russo-Turkish feud could escalate.

NPR has reaction from Russia, China and Brazil on the climate deal reached over the weekend in Paris.

Alexander III's remains have been exhumed for DNA tests to confirm the identities of two grandchildren. Historians say the Russian Orthodox Church wants to reaffirm its ties to the imperial family.

City officials say Moscow's three main cemeteries will be wired up starting next year.

"Terrorists in Syria pose a special threat," Putin says. "Many people there are from Russia, and if they win in Syria, sooner or later they will come to Russia as well."

French President Francois Hollande meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. The visit is part of Hollande's efforts to create a more effective global coalition to fight ISIS.