With parliamentary elections less than a year away, the Kremlin is instructing loyal media outlets to flood the news cycle with positive stories to counter rising prices and declining public approval.

Reports indicate a noticeable decline in Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval rating, with Kremlin officials reportedly sensitive to shifts in public opinion and internally examining the change.

A Russian official has stated that the Russian navy will intervene to stop what it describes as 'piracy-like attacks' by Western powers seizing sanctioned vessels carrying Moscow's oil.