Corey Flintoff

Some analysts say Russia would have to act soon, while its overall military readiness is fairly good. But despite strides in improving the military, Russia still has a shortage of combat-ready troops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he hopes he won't have to move troops into Ukraine to protect the local Russian-speaking population, but he reserves the right to do so.

Tatars were vocal in their opposition to the Russian takeover of Crimea. That's because they remember their history of maltreatment under the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.

Russia banned chocolate made by the leading Ukrainian presidential candidate at a time when political tensions are high between the countries. And we wanted to know: Is the chocolate any good?

Lawmakers in Crimea have scheduled a referendum on whether to unite with Russia. Meanwhile, Russian legislators are considering two bills to streamline the process for Crimea to become part of Russia.

President Vladimir Putin isn't the first Russian leader to try to rebuild Sochi, but it's not so clear his project will ultimately be more successful than his predecessors.

Once the marauders and cowboys of Russia's wild frontier, the horse-bound warriors are reappearing as a symbol of national pride.

Josef Stalin watched Charlie Chaplin movies and signed execution orders at his summer villa in Sochi. It's now a museum, where the ruthless Soviet leader's paranoia is on full display.

Among the most visible Americans at the Sochi Olympics are a group of evangelical Christians decked out in black cowboy hats and bristling with pins that help start conversations. For the chaplains, every connection is a chance to make friends and proselytize.

Attempts by Ukraine's president to quell anti-government protests — including an offer to install opposition leaders in a reshuffled cabinet — seem to have failed. The protests grew over the weekend and spread beyond the capital, Kiev. The protestors say they are determined to force the president's resignation and end what they call a corrupt and dictatorial regime.