TOPSHOT - A picture taken on February 22, 2022 shows the Russian Defence Ministry in Moscow. - Russian parliament's upper house on February 22, voted to allow President Vladimir Putin to use the Russian army outside the country to support separatists in Ukraine. A total of 153 Russian senators backed the decision, with no one voting against or abstaining. Putin earlier in the day asked the Federation Council to approve the army's use outside the country to back separatists who have been fighting the Ukrainian army since 2014. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)