Third inauguration of Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that his nuclear forces were "always" on alert and that Russia would not tolerate any threats from the West.

In a defiant address on Red Square before thousands of soldiers dressed in ceremonial attire, Putin heaped praise on his army fighting in Ukraine and accused "Western elites" of fomenting conflicts around the world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin officially began his fifth presidential term on Tuesday, marking the start of another six-year tenure. The ceremony, held at the Grand Kremlin Palace, was notable for its absence of representatives from the United States and many European Union countries due to ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday it shot down two drones launched by Ukraine and accused Kiev of attempting to kill Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin on Monday denied Turkish reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin was planning to visit the Turksih capital, Ankara. [Reuters]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad began talks in Moscow Wednesday.

"Dear Mr President, I am very glad to see you in Moscow. Thank you for accepting our invitation," Putin told Assad at the start of their meeting broadcast by state TV. "We are in constant contact and our relations are developing."

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Ukraine celebrates Christmas, the shelling does not stop

Ukraine celebrates Christmas, the first since the beginning of the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is self-isolating as a precaution after several members of his entourage fell ill with COVID-19, but is "absolutely" healthy and does not have the disease himself, the Kremlin said on Sept. 14.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has received letters with greetings for the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays from numerous officials, the presidential press office said in a statement.

From the Russian Federation, Vucic received greetings from President Vladimir Putin, PM Dmitry Medvedev and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic is traveling to Moscow on Monday for a several-day visit.

He is due to meet with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, members of the Russian government, and with President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian Federation Council has authorized President Vladimir Putin to use the country’s Armed Forces in Syria, TASS is reporting.

"The Federation Council unanimously supported the president’s request - 162 votes in favor," Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov said on Tuesday.