Inflation in Russia has been surpassing government forecasts all year. The Finance Ministry predicts it'll reach 1.2% in May alone. RT caught up with Deputy Finance Minister Dmitry Pankin to ask why prices have risen so much.

She is the world record holder in the women’s pole vault and one of Russia’s best hopes for gold at the Beijing Olympics. In the run-up to the games, Elena Isinbaeva spoke exclusively to RT about what keeps her motivated.

Russia’s Finance Minister says  the country's National Welfare Fund will be worst hit by 4 billion dollar tax cuts. Alexey Kudrin admitted the concessions would strike the 32 billion dollar Fund, which also supports Russian pensioners.