Articles from The Moscow Times (536)
Half-Million Left Without Power in Occupied Donetsk After Ukrainian Drone Strikes
Around half a million energy customers in eastern Ukraine’s occupied Donetsk region were left without power on Monday morning following what Kremlin-installed officials in the area described as...
Finland Deports Alleged Ex-Wagner Fighter Back to Russia
Finland deported a Russian man who illegally crossed the border between the two countries in June, the border guard told AFP Monday, with local media reporting that he was a former mercenary for...
Russia Tightens Legal Penalties for Terror and Sabotage Acts Among Minors
President Vladimir Putin on Monday approved a package of legal amendments that tighten penalties for acts of sabotage, which have soared in numbers since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Oil Prices Sink as India and China Cut Purchases Ahead of U.S. Sanctions Deadline
Russian oil prices have slid sharply as refiners in India and China pulled back from purchases ahead of a U.S. sanctions deadline targeting state-controlled producers Rosneft and Lukoil.
Putin Signs Law Introducing Work Placement Requirements for Young Doctors
President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law requiring students enrolled in state-funded residency programs at medical universities to undergo a work placement at public hospitals and clinics...
Russian Warehouse Market Sees Sharp Decline as Economy Slows
Russia’s warehouse property market has recorded one of its steepest downturns in years, reflecting weaker economic activity and falling consumer demand, the consultancy IBC Real Estate has said.
Chevron Weighs Purchase of Lukoil’s Overseas Assets After U.S. Eases Restrictions – Reuters
Chevron is exploring potential purchases of some of Lukoil’s foreign assets after the U.S.
St. Petersburg Deploys AI Patrols to Spot Hazardous Icicles
Authorities in St.
Thousands of Car Carriers Backed Up at Russia’s Borders as Importers Rush to Beat Fee Hike
Russia is facing major backlogs of car carriers on its borders with China and Kazakhstan as importers rush to bring in vehicles ahead of a sharp increase in the country’s recycling fee, the...
What Do Russians Have to Look Forward to in 2026?
Opinion | Ksenia* is a dear friend and an admirable person.
Russia Adds Former PM Kasyanov to 'Terrorists and Extremists' List
Russia has added former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to its federal database of “terrorists and extremists,” according to state financial monitoring agency Rosfinmonitoring’s website.
Moscow Police Arrest Mother of Boy Whose Severed Head Was Found in Backpack
Russian law enforcement authorities on Monday said they arrested the mother of a six-year-old boy whose severed head was reportedly discovered inside a backpack left at a pond in northeastern...
Novorossiysk Oil Terminal Resumes Operations After Ukrainian Attack
Oil shipments from Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk have resumed, energy officials in Kazakhstan said on Monday, just days after a Ukrainian air attack damaged terminal infrastructure in the area.
Russia’s Rusal to Shutter Major Silicon Plant as Industry Cuts Deepen
Russia’s largest silicon plant will suspend operations from Jan. 1, 2026, its owner announced Monday.
Europe Unprepared for Potential Russian Drone Attacks, Defense Chief Warns
Europe is "not ready" to effectively respond to potential Russian drone attacks and must integrate Ukraine's "battle-tested" capabilities to protect itself better, EU Defense and Space...
Russia Claims To Have Seized 2 New Villages In Southern Ukraine
The Russian army on Sunday claimed to have captured two more villages in southern Ukraine, where its troops are slowly gaining ground against outnumbered Ukrainian forces.
Russian Economy Barely Grows in Q3 as War Spending Bites
Russian economic growth was close to zero in the third quarter, the state statistics agency said Friday, as the costs of the Ukraine war and Western sanctions start to bite.
Russia Designates Exiled Political Analyst Shulmann, Philanthropist Zimin as ‘Terrorists and Extremists’
Russia’s financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring on Thursday added exiled political analyst Ekaterina Schulmann and philanthropist Boris Zimin to its list of “terrorists and extremists.” The...
Major Ukrainian Drone Strike Halts Oil Deliveries at Novorossiysk Terminal
Oil deliveries to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk were suspended after Ukrainian strikes damaged key energy infrastructure in one of the most disruptive overnight attacks on the...
Exiled Politician Leonid Gozman Jailed 10 Years in Absentia for ‘Justifying Terrorism’
A Moscow military court sentenced exiled politician Leonid Gozman to 10 years in prison in absentia for “justifying terrorism,” authorities announced on Friday.
Moscow Court Finds Man Accused of Organizing LGBTQ+ Tours Guilty 1 Year After Suicide in Police Custody
A Moscow court has posthumously found the owner of a travel agency guilty of organizing extremist activities linked to the banned “LGBT movement” nearly a year after he died in police custody, the...
Russian Seaborne Oil Exports Drop to 3-Month Low Amid New U.S. Sanctions
Russia’s seaborne oil shipments fell to a three-month low last week as Moscow rushed to reroute shipments following U.S. sanctions on major Russian energy companies, the Kommersant business...
Online, Russia Invents Ukrainians Who Cheer On Its Occupation
On Russian social media, they sound like ordinary residents of occupied Ukrainian towns praising Moscow’s “reconstruction” efforts, commending Russian soldiers for their bravery in battle and...
Two Fighter Pilots Killed in Jet Crash in Republic of Karelia
A Russian fighter jet crashed in the northwestern republic of Karelia on Thursday, killing both crew members on board, the military and regional authorities said.
Samara Court Sentences Exiled Cult Leader Svetlana Lada-Rus to 8 Years in Prison
A court in the southwestern Samara region on Friday sentenced exiled cult leader and fringe opposition figure Svetlana Lada-Rus to eight years in prison in absentia.
YouTuber Yury Dud Jailed Nearly 2 Years in Absentia for Breaking ‘Foreign Agent’ Law
A Moscow court sentenced exiled journalist and YouTuber Yury Dud to 1 year and 10 months in prison in absentia for violating Russia’s “foreign agent” law, authorities said Friday.
Wildberries Targets First African Market With Ethiopian Expansion
Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries has signed a cooperation agreement with Ethiopia’s largest state-owned investment firm as part of its push to expand into Africa, the state-run news agency...
Moscow Risks Losing a Key Ally in Latin America as Trump Ramps Up Pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro
As the United States deployed warships and submarines to the Caribbean and escalated strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats in recent months, President Nicolás Maduro appealed to a...
Regions Calling: Kremlin’s New Holidays Offer a Hollow Embrace of Indigenous Peoples, Activists Say
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Regions Calling, your guide to developments beyond the Russian capital from The Moscow Times.
Ukraine Says It Used ‘Flamingo’ Rockets in Overnight Attacks on Russia
Ukraine’s military said Thursday that it used domestically developed long-range Flamingo rockets in overnight airstrikes targeting sites inside Russia and parts of occupied Ukraine. The General...
Epstein Tried Contacting Lavrov to Discuss Trump, Emails Reveal
The late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein attempted to pass a message to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about U.S.
Ukraine’s Top General Denies Encirclement Claims in Battle for Pokrovsk
Ukraine’s top military commander on Wednesday denied claims that his troops were encircled in the city of Pokrovsk, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left open the possibility of a...
Congratulations to Russia's Agriculture Ministry for Soaring Food Prices
Opinion | Let me start with good news: there are now plenty of eggs in Russia.
Exiled Rapper Morgenshtern Banned From Entering Lithuania for 10 Years
Lithuania has banned the exiled Russian rapper Morgenshtern from entering the country for 10 years, local media reported on Thursday.
Finance Ministry to Debut Borrowing in Chinese Yuan in December
Russia will issue government bonds denominated in Chinese yuan for the first time next month, the Finance Ministry announced Wednesday.
Putin Approves Sale of Citibank’s Russian Unit to Renaissance Capital
President Vladimir Putin has authorized the sale of Citibank’s Russian subsidiary to local investment firm Renaissance Capital, according to a decree published on Wednesday, effectively completing...
My Revolut Account Was Frozen for Having the Wrong Passport
Opinion | “Europe failed…” You can fill in the blank in that sentence with almost anything, from digital sovereignty, responding to the war in Ukraine since 2014, delivering on green transition,...
Visa Bans Don't Hurt the Russians With True Power
Opinion | The European Union has just banned Russians from obtaining multi-entry Schengen visas, billing the move as tightening the screws on the Kremlin.
Russia's Defense Ministry Is Undergoing Generational Change
Opinion | Debates about Russia’s internal authoritarian politics have long been defined by questions over the relative importance of security or military elites compared to their civilian counterparts.
Russian Artist Erik Bulatov Dies at 92
Renowned Soviet and Russian artist Erik Bulatov has died in Paris at the age of 92, media reported Sunday.
As Russia Closes In on Pokrovsk, Ukraine Fights to Buy Time
KYIV, Ukraine — Fierce fighting continues to engulf the eastern city of Pokrovsk as Russian forces press a prolonged campaign to seize this industrial hub in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Lukoil Halts Iraqi Operations After Sanctions, Declares Force Majeure – Reuters
Lukoil has declared force majeure at a major oilfield in southern Iraq after Western sanctions disrupted its operations, Reuters reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Ukrainian Strikes Across Russian Border Regions Leave Thousands Without Power
Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure left more than 20,000 people without power in border regions on Sunday, local authorities said.
Massive Russian Attack Hits Ukraine Energy Infrastructure – Kyiv
A massive Russian attack hit Ukraine's energy infrastructure, killing one person and prompting power cuts in several regions, Kyiv authorities said Saturday.
Russian Orthodox Priests Don’t Practice What They Preach
Opinion | A video of a bearded man wearing headphones and repeatedly firing a pistol at a shooting range recently triggered a frenzy on social media.
‘Hidden Mobilization?’: What Russia’s New Reservist Law Could Mean for the War in Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin this week signed legislation allowing Russia’s reservists to be sent to “special training” to protect critical infrastructure.
4 Dead in Dagestan Helicopter Crash
Four people were killed and three others injured when a private helicopter crashed in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, authorities said Friday.
Russian Investigators Probe Killing of Convicted Crypto Fraudster in UAE
Russian investigators have opened a criminal case into the suspected murder of a St.
Lavrov Out of Favor With Putin?: Reports Force the Kremlin to Comment
The Kremlin has had to dismiss reports that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had "fallen out of favor" with President Vladimir Putin amid speculation that Lavrov’s diplomacy led to the cancellation...
Zabaikalsky Region Appeals for Federal Help Addressing Fuel Shortage
Authorities in Russia’s Far East Zabaikalsky region have appealed to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for emergency assistance to resolve a fuel shortage that has left gas stations without regular...
Russia’s Economy Could Slip Into Recession by Year-End, Central Bank Warns
Russia’s economy could slip into recession by the end of the year after three consecutive quarters of slowing growth, the Central Bank has warned.
EU Bans Russians from Multi-Entry Schengen Visas
The European Union will no longer issue multi-entry visas to Russian citizens residing in the country, its latest move to raise pressure on Moscow over its nearly four-year war on Ukraine. “From...
Russia Sentences 2 Colombians Who Fought With Ukraine to 13 Years
They are the latest foreign fighters to get lengthy jail terms as “mercenaries” by Russian-installed authorities after joining Ukraine's army. “For participating in hostilities on the side of the...
Gunvor Pulls $22Bln Lukoil Deal After U.S. Labels Company ‘Kremlin Puppet’
Swiss commodities trader Gunvor has withdrawn its $22 billion bid to acquire the overseas assets of Russia’s Lukoil after the U.S.
Russia Plans 24-Hour Internet Blackout for Dormant or Returning SIM Cards
Russia plans to introduce a 24-hour blackout period for domestic SIM cards that have been inactive for more than three days or have just returned from international roaming, the business newspaper...
Bulgaria Adopts Law to Take Control of Russia's Lukoil Refinery
Bulgaria's parliament on Friday adopted legal changes to place a major Lukoil refinery in the east of the country under state control following U.S. sanctions against the Russian oil giant.
Hungarian Refiner MOL Says Most Russian Oil Replaceable If Druzhba Pipeline Dries Up
Hungary’s largest oil and gas company MOL said Friday it could source most of its crude from outside Russia if flows through the Druzhba pipeline were disrupted, in what was described as a shift...
Russian Military Officer Jailed 10 Years for Bribery in Defense Procurement
A Russian court has sentenced a senior military officer to 10 years in prison for taking bribes in connection with defense procurement contracts, investigators said Thursday.
Perm Singer Sentenced to Community Service Over Stoptime Support
A court in the Russian city of Perm has sentenced a local street musician to 60 hours of community service for holding an outdoor concert in support of the detained St.
1 Killed, Power Plant and Refinery Hit by Overnight Ukrainian Drone Strikes
At least one civilian was killed and energy infrastructure damaged in at least two Russian regions as Ukrainian drones struck multiple areas overnight, officials and media reported Thursday.
Russia Opens First Case Under Law Punishing Online Searches for 'Extremist' Content
Authorities in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region have launched the first known case under a new law that penalizes online searches for extremist materials, local media reported.
With 'Russian Houses,' Moscow Expands Soft Power Push Into Africa
The curtains were drawn, the chairs were set and a projector was lowered.
St. Petersburg Authorities Seize Instruments in Crackdown on Street Music
Authorities in St.
Central Asian Leaders Arriving in Washington for Trump Summit
This story was originally published by Eurasianet.
Russia to Slow VAT Threshold Cut for Small Businesses After Backlash
Russia will phase in its plan for a value-added tax (VAT) hike for small businesses over time after entrepreneurs warned that abrupt changes could devastate the sector, Prime Minister Mikhail...
Shoigu Calls for ‘New Industrialization’ in Siberia to Revive Russia’s East
Russia aims to turn Siberia into the center of a new industrialization push and attract workers eastward, Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday.
By Blocking Russian Exiles’ Accounts, Revolut Is Hitting the Wrong Targets
Opinion | In recent days, Russian citizens who hold long-term European visas found that Revolut had frozen their accounts.
Russia’s Oil Revenues Plunge 27% Year-on-Year in October
Russia collected 888.6 billion rubles ($9.7 billion) in taxes from oil and gas producers in October, a 27% decline from the same month last year, Russia’s Finance Ministry said Thursday.
Putin Has Elevated 24 Relatives to Official Roles in Likely 100-Year Record
President Vladimir Putin has elevated at least 24 relatives to government positions or jobs in state companies, likely a record number for Russian rulers over the last 100 years, the independent...
Russia’s Richest Woman Settles Divorce 1 Year After Deadly Office Confrontation
Tatiana Kim, the founder of online retailer Wildberries and Russia’s wealthiest woman, and her ex-husband Vladislav Bakalchuk have finalized a settlement in their high-profile divorce proceedings,...
Cargo Checks at Kazakhstan Border Paralyze Russian Imports, Trigger Supply Fears
Mass inspections of freight shipments on Russia’s border with Kazakhstan have halted a significant share of imports and could soon lead to shortages of consumer goods, The Moscow Times' Russian...
At Least 15 Russian Regions Recruiting Reservists to Guard Oil Facilities Against Drone Attacks – Vyorstka
Authorities in at least 15 Russian regions are recruiting residents into a new mobilization reserve to guard strategic infrastructure, including oil refineries targeted by Ukrainian drones, the...
Opposition Politician Shlosberg Sentenced to 420 Hours of Community Service for Breaking ‘Foreign Agent’ Law
A court in the northwestern Russian city of Pskov has sentenced opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to 420 hours of community service on charges of failing to comply with “foreign agent” rules,...
Saratov Region Cuts Military Contract Bonus
Southern Russia’s Saratov region has become the latest federal subject to reduce enlistment bonuses for soldiers signing military contracts, with one of its most populous districts slashing...
Putin Orders Preparations for Possible Nuclear Tests in Response to Trump
Russia may prepare to resume nuclear weapons testing if the United States carries out tests first, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday in response to U.S.
Russian Black Sea Port Halts Fuel Exports After Ukrainian Strike
Fuel exports from the Russian Black Sea port of Tuapse have been suspended, and its local oil refinery has stopped processing crude after a Ukrainian drone strike damaged infrastructure, Reuters...
Russian Retail Chains Forced to Sell Assets as Sales Fall and Costs Rise
Russian retail chains struggling with declining sales are offloading assets at a record pace, the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday, citing data from consulting firm NF Group.
Russia to Introduce ‘Children’s SIM Cards’
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry is set to introduce a new type of SIM card for children, state media reported Wednesday.
Moldova Moves to End Cultural Centers Deal With Russia
Moldova on Wednesday approved a bill to cancel a 1998 agreement with Russia on cultural centers, as ties continue to deteriorate over Moscow’s full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Putin Names Antitrust Official as Acting Governor of Tver Region
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday appointed senior antitrust official Vitaly Korolyov as acting governor of the Tver region more than a month after the post was vacated.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Oil Facilities in Russia’s Yaroslavl Region
Early morning Ukrainian drone strikes damaged oil pumping stations in the Yaroslavl region north of Moscow, local authorities said Wednesday. “An attack by enemy drones on energy infrastructure in...
FSB Arrests Moscow Man on Treason Charges for Alleged NATO Contact
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Wednesday it had detained a Moscow resident on suspicion of treason for allegedly sharing the personal data of opposition members with an unspecified...
North Korea Sends 5K Construction Troops to Russia – Seoul
North Korea has sent about 5,000 construction troops to Russia since September to help with "infrastructure reconstruction," a South Korean lawmaker said Tuesday after a briefing by Seoul's spy agency.
Putin Signs Law Moving Russia to Year-Round Military Draft
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a law moving the military toward a year-round conscription model starting next year, amid the Kremlin’s efforts to expand manpower for its war in Ukraine.
Russia's Self-Imposed Isolation Reaches a New Frontier: Medicine
Opinion | There are two contrasting opinions about Russia’s pharmaceutical market.
Italy Slams Zakharova’s ‘Vulgar’ Comments on Rome Tower Collapse
The Italian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador Tuesday over comments made by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova about the partial collapse of the Torre dei Conti in...
Ukrainian Drones Strike Industrial Facility in Russia's Bashkortostan
Ukrainian drones struck an industrial complex in Russia’s republic of Bashkortostan far from the front line, regional head Radiy Khabirov said Tuesday.
Russian Charged With Spying in Poland Admits Passing Data to FSB – Polish Media
A Russian national charged in Poland with spying for Russian intelligence has admitted to passing information to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Polish media reported Monday, citing case files.
Spill Discovered in Black Sea After Ukrainian Strike on Tuapse Oil Terminal – BBC
A Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Tuapse oil terminal has caused an oil spill stretching several kilometers into the Black Sea, according to a BBC analysis of NASA satellite images taken after...
Russia Faces New Jet Fuel Risks After Gasoline Market Turmoil
Russia may soon face turbulence in its jet fuel market following months of disruption in gasoline supplies caused by Ukrainian drone strikes, an executive at the country’s largest private fuel...
Zelensky Visits Troops Near Threatened Pokrovsk
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said he visited troops near the embattled city of Pokrovsk, as Ukraine scrambles to defend the logistics hub that Russia has tried to capture for months.
‘Belarus’ Strategic Importance Cannot Be Ignored’: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
When Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya speaks about Belarus today, she begins with a clarification: “We cannot talk about Belarus as a unified entity — we must separate the [Alexander] Lukashenko regime...
Putin Orders Development of Rare Earths Plan
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday instructed the Russian government to develop a roadmap for the long-term production of rare-earth minerals as Moscow tries to boost its resources.
Russia Makes Steady Gains in Ukraine in October – Analysis
The Russian army made steady gains in Ukraine in October as it focused attacks on the eastern Donetsk region, an AFP analysis of data from the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) showed.
How Russia’s Auto Industry Ran Out of Road
Russia’s carmakers are facing mounting problems as falling sales and deteriorating finances put the industry under strain.
Mazda Becomes First Foreign Automaker to Lose Russian Joint Venture Buyback Rights
Japanese automaker Mazda has lost the right to repurchase its former 50% stake in a joint venture in Russia's Far East, Reuters reported Monday, citing its former Russian partner Sollers.
Perm Street Musician Detained Over Stoptime Support
A court in the central Russian city of Perm sentenced street musician Yekaterina Romanova to seven days in detention after she participated in a street concert in support of Stoptime, the St.
Russia’s Vologda Unveils 9-Meter Statue of Ivan the Terrible
The northwestern Russian city of Vologda has erected a 9-meter-tall statue of Tsar Ivan IV, better known as Ivan the Terrible, the Kommersant business daily reported Monday.
Don't Blame Putin Alone for Russia's Misdeeds – It's the System
Opinion | There is an idea firmly rooted among the politically active segment of Russian society — both inside the country and among emigres — that the Russian state as something absolutely personalistic.
Russian PM Opens China Trip With Premier Meeting
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang, in Hangzhou, China on Monday, Russian media reported. Mishustin arrived in Hangzhou Monday to open a...
Chinese Refiners Cut Russian Oil Imports Ahead of New U.S. Sanctions – Bloomberg
Chinese oil refiners are scaling back imports of Russian crude after the U.S. announced new sanctions targeting oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, Bloomberg reported Monday.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Saratov Oil Refinery
Ukrainian drones struck the Saratov Oil Refinery in southern Russia’s Saratov overnight, Ukraine’s General Staff said Monday.
Covert Curricula
Podcast | Russia Underground takes you on a journey to meet the Russians who continue to battle for free speech, artistic freedoms and basic human rights despite Putin’s brutal wartime crackdown,...
2 Children Among Dead in Russian Blitz on Ukraine – Officials
A wave of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine overnight Saturday to early Sunday killed six people, including two children, and cut power to tens of thousands, officials said.
2 Children Among Dead in Russian Blitz on Ukraine
Russia fired a wave of drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least six people including two children and cutting power to tens of thousands, officials said Sunday.
Russian Missile Strikes on Ukraine Hit 2.5-Year High
Russia fired more missiles at Ukraine in October than in any month since at least the start of 2023, an AFP analysis of Ukrainian data showed.
Kyiv Says Russia Using Missile That Sank INF Treaty Against Ukraine – Reuters
Russia has repeatedly fired a ground-launched cruise missile at Ukraine, whose secret development triggered the collapse of a landmark Cold War-era arms-control treaty, Reuters reported Friday.
Russian Lawmakers Still Prefer Telegram Despite Kremlin Push for State-Backed Max Messenger
Russian lawmakers continue to rely on Telegram as their main channel of communication with the public despite a Kremlin directive urging them to switch to the state-backed messenger app Max,...
Defense Minister Confirms New Civilian Deputy as Leadership Overhaul Continues
Russia has appointed senior civilian technocrat Vasily Osmakov as deputy defense minister, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced Friday at a meeting of post-Soviet republic chiefs in Kazakhstan.
Is Flying in Russia as Deadly as it Seems?
Were it not for the pillar of smoke twisting above the thick pine forest, the scene might have resembled any other stretch of Russia’s vast and sparsely populated Far East.
India’s Top Refiner Resumes Buying Russian Oil Despite U.S. Pressure
India’s largest state-run oil refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has resumed buying Russian crude despite U.S. efforts to pressure New Delhi to curb Moscow’s energy revenue, Reuters reported Friday,...
Kursk Residents Still Paying Taxes on Property Destroyed by War
Residents of a border district in southwestern Russia’s Kursk region are still receiving tax bills for homes, cars and land destroyed during last year’s Ukrainian incursion, local media reported Friday.
How ‘Masha and the Bear’ Upset This Putinist Activist
Opinion | A certain Vadim Popov, a political scientist and activist, decided to make a name for himself by proposing that Russia restrict screenings of the beloved (indeed, globally beloved)...
Overnight Drone Strikes Injure at Least 11 in Sumy, Damage Energy Facilities
Russia launched a fresh wave of overnight drone strikes on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy near the Russian border, injuring at least 11 people, including four children, local officials said...
Ukraine Says It Destroyed Oreshnik Missile Inside Russia
Ukraine’s president and security services said Friday they had secretly destroyed one of Russia’s new nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles inside Russian territory before Moscow...
Russian Billionaire's Seized Superyacht Sold to Family of Trump-Linked Dubai Tycoon – Vyorstka
A superyacht formerly owned by sanctioned Russian Senator Suleiman Kerimov has been sold at auction, likely to the family of Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, the exiled news outlet Vyorstka...
2K Trucks Stuck in Belarus After Lithuania Closes Border – Association
Some 2,000 trucks were stranded Friday in Belarus after Lithuania closed its border in response to recent airspace disruptions, a truckers association said.
Russia’s Central Bank Tightens Rules on Lending to Heavily Indebted Firms Amid Rising Corporate Risks
Russia’s Central Bank will double capital requirements for banks lending to highly indebted companies from December, citing rising financial risks in the corporate sector.
Russia Plans First-Ever Yuan-Denominated Bond Issue to Plug Growing Budget Deficit – Reuters
Russia’s government plans to issue domestic bonds denominated in Chinese yuan for the first time as it seeks to cover a ballooning federal budget deficit that is now expected to reach nearly five...
Venezuela’s Maduro Seeks Russian Military Support Amid U.S. Buildup in Caribbean – Washington Post
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military assistance as the U.S. concentrates forces in the Caribbean, The Washington Post reported Friday, citing...
In First, Ukraine Extradites Captured Russian Soldier for War Crimes Trial
Ukraine on Friday said it had handed over a captured Russian soldier to Lithuania, where he will be put on trial for alleged war crimes, an extradition it hailed as a "historic" first.
U.S. Scrapped Trump-Putin Budapest Summit After Moscow’s Hardline Demands on Ukraine – FT
The United States canceled a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest after Moscow reiterated sweeping demands on Ukraine, the Financial Times...
4 Killed, Over 20 Injured as Tram Derails in Tula
At least four people were killed and more than 20 injured Friday morning when a tram derailed and collided with two passenger minibuses in the central Russian city of Tula, regional officials said.
Russian Border Region Forms Volunteer Militias as Finland Plans Military Drills
Authorities in Russia’s republic of Karelia say they are forming volunteer militias to help defend the country’s border with Finland following Helsinki’s announcement of large-scale military...
Carnegie Politika: Russia’s System Is Beginning to Eat Its Own
Opinion | Wartime Russia has seen an unprecedented wave of political arrests.
Media Investigation Uncovers Russian FM Spokeswoman’s Alleged Hidden Wealth
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has, during the war in Ukraine, quietly amassed millions of rubles in property and income that far exceed her official earnings, the...
Russia Resumes Military Flights to Syria as Post-Assad Ties Thaw – Bloomberg
Russia has restarted military flights to its air base in Syria after a six-month pause in a sign of renewed presence in the country after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Bloomberg reported...
Despite Costly Programs and an Intensified Family Values Campaign, Russian Women Aren’t Having More Children
Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said that “support for families” and stimulating birth rates were “the most important” of all of Russia’s national projects and strategic plans....
Polish Jets Make Second Consecutive Interception of Russian Spy Plane Over Baltic Sea
Poland’s military said Thursday its fighter jets had intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea for the second day in a row amid heightened regional tensions.
Russia’s System Is Beginning to Eat Its Own
Opinion | Wartime Russia has seen an unprecedented wave of political arrests.
Yekaterinburg Court Sentences Former Anti-Corruption Chief to 4 Years in Jail for Bribery
The former anti-corruption chief of the Sverdlovsk region has been sentenced to 4 years in prison after being found guilty of accepting a bribe of 217 million rubles ($2.7 million), a court in...
Kremlin Denies Nuclear Testing After Trump Orders U.S. to Resume Tests
The Kremlin on Thursday rejected claims that Russia has resumed nuclear testing after U.S.
Russia’s Economic Growth Slows for Third Straight Quarter – Ministry Data
Russia’s economy has continued to lose momentum for the third consecutive quarter, according to new data from the Economic Development Ministry.
At Least 100 Russian Officers Have Executed Their Own Comrades in Ukraine – Vyorstka
Russian commanders have been torturing and executing their own soldiers in Ukraine since the first year of the full-scale invasion, according to an investigation by the exiled news outlet Vyorstka.
Russia Expands Bans on ‘Coercing’ Women Into Abortions to 27th Region
Two Siberian regions have become the 26th and 27th Russian regions to adopt legislation this week banning the “coercion” of pregnant women into terminating a pregnancy amid efforts by conservative...
Russia Ties U.K. in Billionaire Count – Altrata
Russia has caught up with the United Kingdom in the number of U.S.-dollar billionaires despite Western sanctions and economic isolation over the war in Ukraine, according to a new global wealth...
Lukoil Accepts Oil Trader Gunvor’s Offer to Buy International Assets After U.S. Sanctions
Russian oil giant Lukoil said Thursday it had accepted an offer from commodity trader Gunvor Group to buy its international subsidiary in what would be the most significant corporate asset sale...
Russian Strikes on Ukraine Kill One, Injure 17
Russian drone and missile strikes killed one person and wounded 17 others in Ukraine overnight, and left much of the country without power, authorities said on Thursday.
Death Toll in Russian Artillery Ammo Plant Blast Rises to 23
The death toll from a blast at a military factory in central Russia’s Chelyabinsk region earlier this month has risen to 23, authorities said Wednesday after completing search and rescue operations.
Ukrainian Drones Target 3 Russian Industrial Sites, 13 Airports Closed Overnight
At least two Russian oil refineries and a major petrochemical producer were targeted in overnight Ukrainian drone strikes, according to media reports and government officials Wednesday.
Russian-Installed Head of Occupied Ukraine Apologizes After Blaming Kursk Residents for Failing to Defend Region
The Kremlin-appointed head of the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine apologized Wednesday after accusing residents of southwestern Russia’s Kursk region of failing to...
Putin ‘More Dug In Than Ever’ on War in Ukraine – NBC
U.S. intelligence assesses that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more determined than ever to continue the war in Ukraine, NBC News reported Wednesday, citing two senior U.S. and congressional...
Tanker Carrying Russian Oil to India U-Turns After U.S. Sanctions Rosneft and Lukoil – Bloomberg
A tanker carrying Russian crude oil to India has turned around and gone adrift in the Baltic Sea after the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
Putin and Aliyev Seek to ‘Turn the Page’ in Russia-Azerbaijan Ties, Kremlin Says
The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev were working to “turn the page” in relations between Moscow and Baku.
Russian-Installed Zaporizhzhia Head Apologizes After Blaming Kursk Residents for Failing to Defend Region
The Kremlin-appointed head of the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine apologized Wednesday after accusing residents of southwestern Russia’s Kursk region of failing to...
Russia-Linked Figures Move to Help Romanian Mercenary Accused of Coup Plot – The Guardian
Two Russia-linked figures are trying to prevent the extradition of Romanian-French mercenary Horațiu Potra, who is being held in Dubai on charges of plotting a coup in Romania, The Guardian...
Putin Defies Trump With Second Nuclear Weapons Test in Days
Russia has successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, defying U.S.
Poland Says Intercepted Russian Spy Plane Over Baltic Sea
Poland’s armed forces said Wednesday that two of its fighter jets had intercepted and escorted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea one day prior.
St. Petersburg Street Musician Jailed Again Over Viral Anti-Putin Performance
A Russian court has sentenced 18-year-old street musician Diana Loginova to 13 days in jail for a second time this month over her viral performances of anti-Kremlin songs.
Russia's Central Bank Has Lost What Remained of Its Independence
Opinion | The Russian Central Bank has cut the key interest rate again from 17% to 16.5%, as most experts had predicted.
Russians Snap Up Record Amounts of Gold as Sanctions Reshape Savings Habits
Russians have been buying gold at an unprecedented pace since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Western sanctions and restrictions on foreign currency transactions making the metal a...
Freight Costs for Chinese Goods to Russia Surge Amid Kazakhstan Border Gridlock
Shipping goods from China to Russia has become significantly more expensive as long queues at border crossings in Kazakhstan snarl trade routes, logistics firms and importers said.
Putin Says Sarmat Nuclear Missile ’Not Yet Deployed,’ Walking Back Past Claims
President Vladimir Putin has admitted on Wednesday that Russia’s new intercontinental ballistic missile, the RS-28 Sarmat, is not yet on combat duty, but vowed that it would be deployed “soon.”...
Russia’s FSB Orders Banks to Install Surveillance Systems by 2027
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has ordered banks to install surveillance equipment that would allow authorities to monitor customer communications, the RBC news website reported Wednesday.
Germany Says Rosneft Subsidiaries Not Affected by U.S. Sanctions
U.S. sanctions targeting Rosneft will not affect the Russian oil giant's German subsidiaries, which were placed under state administration after Moscow invaded Ukraine, the German government told...
What New U.S. Sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil Mean for Russia’s Oil Trade
The United States’ first sanctions on Russia since Donald Trump’s return to the White House have targeted the country’s two largest oil producers in a move that could ripple through global energy markets.
Orenburg Becomes Fifth Russian Region to Cut Military Sign-Up Bonus in October
Russia’s Orenburg region has slashed one-time enlistment bonuses for men signing military contracts to the minimum legal threshold, becoming the fifth region this month to scale back financial...
Russia Moves to Year-Round Military Draft Amid Wartime Manpower Needs
Russia’s lower-house State Duma passed a bill on Tuesday that would move the military toward a year-round conscription model starting next year amid the Kremlin’s efforts to expand manpower for...
Baltic Firms Supplied Fuel to Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet,’ Investigation Finds
A network of companies in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia supplied fuel to tankers belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet” which Moscow uses to evade Western sanctions and export oil abroad, according...
Russia's Nuclear-Powered Missile Test Was More for Show Than Substance
Opinion | Russian propagandists are trumpeting the “successful test” of the Burevestnik missile — a cruise missile with a nuclear-powered engine that supposedly gives it unlimited range.
Gerasimov Says Russia Encircled Pokrovsk and Kupiansk. Experts and Pro-War Bloggers Doubt It.
Military experts and Russian pro-war bloggers have dismissed what they say are inaccurate claims by Russia’s top general that Kyiv’s forces were encircled near the embattled cities of Pokrovsk and...
Russia’s Central Bank Chief Forecasts Rate Cuts Through 2026
The Russian Central Bank will continue cutting interest rates throughout 2026, as the regulator seeks to rein in inflation without stalling economic growth, Governor Elvira Nabiullina said...
2 Killed, Over 20 Injured in Floating Crane Collapse in Annexed Sevastopol
Two people were killed and more than 20 injured after a floating crane capsized in annexed Sevastopol’s southern bay, the city’s Moscow-installed Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said Monday.
Russia’s ESPO Crude Loses Premium After U.S. and EU Sanctions Hit Rosneft, Lukoil – Bloomberg
Prices for Russia’s Far Eastern ESPO crude have fallen after new U.S. sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing traders involved in the transactions.
BMW Reclaims Top Spot Among Premium Foreign Car Brands in Russia Despite Sanctions
BMW has again become Russia’s best-selling premium foreign car brand for the first time since April 2022 despite Western sanctions that halted official imports of luxury vehicles.
Widespread Blackout Hits Sakhalin as Far East Region Races to Restore Power
A large-scale outage left thousands of residents in Russia’s Far Eastern Sakhalin region without power for much of Tuesday, with engineers racing to restore electricity supplies.
St. Petersburg Street Singer Fined Over ‘Foreign Agent’ Song
A court in St.
Russia Blocks World’s Largest Anime and Manga Database Over LGBTQ+ Content
Russian authorities have banned the world’s largest anime and manga platform MyAnimeList over “extremist” LGBTQ+ content, state media reported Tuesday.
The Moscow Times
Podcast | Russia Underground takes you on a journey to meet the Russians who continue to battle for free speech, artistic freedoms and basic human rights despite Putin’s brutal wartime crackdown.
Putin Hosts North Korean Foreign Minister in Moscow, Hails Deepening Ties With Pyongyang
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that his country's ties with North Korea were developing "as planned" as he hosted North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in the Kremlin.
Russia's Lukoil to Sell Overseas Assets After U.S. Sanctions
Russian oil giant Lukoil will sell its overseas assets, the company said late Monday, after it was hit with U.S. sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
Russia Says It Downed 193 Ukrainian Drones Overnight
Russia's Defense Ministry said Monday it had downed 193 Ukrainian drones overnight, with local authorities reporting that one person was killed in the attack. “Last night, air defense systems...
Ukraine Strikes Russian Dam, Triggering Emergency in Belgorod Region
Russian authorities declared an emergency at a key reservoir after a series of Ukrainian strikes caused significant structural damage to a dam in the southwestern Belgorod region, officials said Monday.
Russian Energy Minister Blames ‘Panic Buying’ for Summer Fuel Price Spike
Consumer panic, refinery maintenance and seasonal demand have triggered a sharp rise in fuel prices in Russia since the summer, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilyov said Sunday.
Putin To Meet North Korean Foreign Minister in Moscow
Vladimir Putin on Monday will host North Korea's top diplomat in the Kremlin, the Russian president's spokesman said, as the two sides deepen military and political ties amid the war in Ukraine.
They Fled Discrimination in Russia. Now They're Swept Up in Trump's Immigration Crackdown.
Alexander Bolokhoev, a 41-year-old native of Russia’s republic of Buryatia, was rounded up by U.S.
Number of New Brands Entering Russia Drops in 2025 – Report
The number of new brands entering the Russian market has plunged this year in a reflection of weakening consumer demand and tighter access to credit.
Moscow Court Jails Singer Monetochka in Absentia for Breaking ‘Foreign Agents’ Law
A Moscow court has ordered the arrest in absentia of anti-war Russian pop singer Monetochka on charges of evading foreign agent obligations, the city prosecutor’s office said Monday.
Death Toll in Russian Artillery Ammo Plant Blast Up to 13
The death toll from an explosion at a Russian plastics manufacturing plant has risen to 13 people, the Chelyabinsk regional administration said Monday.
Police Foil Attempted Kidnapping of Zenit Midfielder in St. Petersburg
Russian police have detained several suspects accused of attempting to kidnap Zenit St.
Putin Terminates Plutonium Disposal Agreement With U.S.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Monday terminating an already defunct plutonium disposal agreement with the United States that aimed to prevent both sides from building more...
Why Is the Russian Elite So Keen to Cozy Up to Trump?
Opinion | Russian President Vladimir Putin is clearly in no rush to spoil his relationship with his United States counterpart Donald Trump, despite occasional criticism from the latter.
Russia Grounds Siberian Airline Following Fatal Crash
Russian authorities have banned the regional carrier Angara Airlines from operating commercial passenger flights starting next week, Russia’s aviation regulator Rosaviatsia said Monday.
Russian Stocks Slide as Ukraine Peace Talks Continue to Stall
Russian stocks plunged on Monday following Kremlin economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev's trip to the United States, which appeared to have produced no tangible results in easing tensions between Moscow...
Kenyans Being Tricked Into Fighting for Russia – Foreign Ministry
Kenyans have been "lured" by recruiters into fighting for Russia in Ukraine, the Kenyan Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.
Lithuania Closes Border With Belarus Over Repeated Balloon Incursions
Lithuania will close its border with Belarus in response to repeated incursions of smuggler balloons into the NATO and EU member’s airspace, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said Monday.
What We Know About Russia’s Latest Test of the Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Missile
Russia announced Sunday that it had successfully carried out a final test of its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, a move that came amid Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine and uncertainty...
Putin Says Russia Successfully Tested 'Burevestnik' Nuclear-Powered Missile
President Vladimir Putin said early Sunday that Russia has successfully carried out a test of its nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile Burevestnik.
Russian Drone Strike Kills 3 in Ukraine Capital, Mayor Says
An overnight Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed three people and wounded dozens, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital said on Sunday.
North Korea's Top Diplomat to Visit Russia From Sunday
North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui will visit Russia for a three-day trip from Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Putin Envoy Slams ‘Attempts’ to Disrupt Dialogue With U.S.
Russia's top economic negotiator on Sunday slammed “titanic attempts” to thwart dialogue with the United States as he visited the country for talks with American officials after Washington imposed...
Russian Strikes On Ukraine Kill At Least 2
Russian drone and missile strikes killed at least two people and wounded more than a dozen in multiple regions of Ukraine, authorities said Saturday.
Ex-Mayor of Rostov-on-Don Arrested Over Alleged Abuse of Power
The former mayor of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don has been arrested on charges of abuse of office that allegedly caused more than 47 million rubles ($583,300) in damages to the city...
Ukrainian Drone Attack on Moscow Suburb Injures 5 as Russia Reports Overnight Barrage
An overnight wave of Ukrainian drones struck multiple Russian regions, injuring at least five people, including a child, when one aircraft slammed into an apartment block outside Moscow, regional...
Lithuania Slams Airspace Incursion Denied by Russia
Lithuania summoned a Russian diplomat in protest over what it said was the entry of two Russian planes into its airspace Thursday, though Moscow denied the violation.
Russian Police Search Home of U.S.-Based Independent Media Founder’s Mother
Russian law enforcement officers on Friday searched the apartment of the mother of the U.S.-based founder and editor-in-chief of the independent news outlet Astra, in the central city of...
Here's Why Plans for a Tunnel Between Russia and Alaska Are Insane
Opinion | No sooner had Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin hung up their phones than Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev announced an ambitious plan: Russia would build a tunnel under...
Putin Envoy Visits U.S. for Talks After New Sanctions – Reports
President Vladimir Putin’s economic cooperation envoy has arrived in the United States for talks, just days after U.S.
Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 16.5% as Economy Slows
The Russian Central Bank on Friday announced that it was cutting the key interest rate to 16.5%, down half a percentage point from 17%. The quarter-point reduction marks the fourth consecutive...
Russia’s Defense Industry Shows Signs of Slowdown After Years of Wartime Growth
Russia’s defense-industrial complex, the main driver of the country’s economy thanks to massive wartime spending, has shown its first signs of stalling after nearly three years of double-digit...
Russian Election Chief Clashes With Moscow-Backed Governor of Occupied Zaporizhzhia Over ‘Illegal’ Dismissal
Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has accused the Kremlin-installed head of Ukraine’s partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region of overstepping his powers by firing the head of the local...
Russia Nationalizes Major Machine-Building Plant
Russia’s Supreme Court has ordered the nationalization of shares in the Ivanovo Heavy Machine Tool Plant (IZTS), overturning earlier rulings that had annulled a lower court’s decision, according...
Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 16.5%, Down From 17%
The Russian Central Bank on Friday announced that it was cutting the key interest rate to 16.5%, down half a percentage point from 17%. The move marks the regulator's fourth consecutive rate cut,...
School Ceiling Collapse Sparks Probe in Far East Russia’s Zabaikalsky Region
A classroom ceiling collapsed during a lesson in a school in the Far East Russian town of Baley in the Zabaikalsky region, sparking an investigation into safety standards.
Prosecution Seeks 440 Hours of Community Service for Opposition Politician Shlosberg
A Russian state prosecutor has requested 440 hours of compulsory community service for opposition politician Lev Shlosberg on accusations that he failed to comply with “foreign agent” laws, the...
Russian Mercenaries in Africa Exacerbate Arms Control Crisis – Report
Countries that sell weapons to nations where Russian private military companies (PMCs) operate risk breaching global arms control rules, a new report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational...
Putin Says U.S. Sanctions 'Serious' But Won't Significantly Hit Economy
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday the latest U.S. sanctions targeting two major oil firms were "serious," but not strong enough to significantly affect the economy.
China’s State Oil Giants Halt Seaborne Russian Crude Imports After New U.S. Sanctions – Reuters
At least four of China’s state-owned oil companies have temporarily suspended purchases of Russian oil shipped by sea following new U.S. sanctions on energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, Reuters...
Most Russian Businesses Plan to Raise Prices as Tax Hike Looms – Survey
A majority of Russian entrepreneurs plan to raise prices in response to upcoming tax increases while others say they may turn to informal practices to offset the impact, according to a survey by...
Ukraine Says Russia Returned 1,000 Bodies
Russia on Thursday returned 1,000 bodies to Ukraine, which Moscow said were the remains of Kyiv's soldiers killed in battle, a Ukrainian government agency said.
Can Russians Be Trusted With Dollars? The Finance Ministry Doesn't Think So.
Opinion | President Vladimir Putin has opened a new front against his own citizens.
Russian Stocks Slide as U.S. Sanctions Hit Oil Majors
Russia’s stock market plunged Thursday as investors reacted to new U.S. sanctions targeting the country’s largest oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil.
In First, British Warship Shadows Russian Navy Vessel in North Sea Under NATO Command
A British Royal Navy destroyer has intercepted and shadowed a Russian warship near the U.K.’s northern coastline, Sky News reported Wednesday.
Oil Slick From Sunken Tankers Drifts Toward Russia’s Black Sea Coast, Krasnodar Governor Warns
A massive oil slick containing around 900 metric tons of fuel oil from the December 2024 sinking of two aging tankers is drifting toward southern Russia’s Krasnodar region, regional officials said...
Russia Says It Is Immune to New U.S. Oil Sanctions
Russia said Thursday that new U.S. sanctions on its oil industry risked hurting diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war, and that it had developed a “strong immunity” to them.
EU Unveils Sweeping Sanctions Targeting Russian Energy, Banks and Crypto
The European Union on Thursday imposed its 19th package of sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, targeting Moscow's key energy revenues, financial networks and technology supply chains.
Indian Refiners Move to Slash Russian Oil Imports After New Trump Sanctions – Reuters
India’s major refiners are preparing to sharply cut their purchases of Russian crude, following new U.S. sanctions targeting Moscow’s top energy producers, Reuters reported Thursday, citing...
Russian Court Frees French Cyclist Arrested for Illegal Border Crossing
A Russian court on Thursday freed a French cyclist who was detained for more than seven weeks on suspicion of illegally crossing the border, despite finding him guilty of the charge.
Russian Strikes Kill One, Damage Synagogue in Ukraine
Russian attacks overnight and into the early hours of Thursday killed one rescue worker in Ukraine, disrupted train services and damaged a synagogue, Ukrainian officials said.
Explosions and Drone Strikes Hit Russian Regions, Killing 12
A series of explosions and suspected drone strikes across multiple Russian regions overnight left at least 12 people dead and several others injured, officials and local media reported Thursday.
Russian Strikes on Kyiv Kill 2
Overnight strikes on Ukraine’s capital killed at least two people, a city official said Wednesday, as Russia bombarded the country’s energy infrastructure in a large-scale attack. “The death toll...
Telegram and WhatsApp Access Restricted in 34 Russian Regions – Monitor
Access to the popular messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp has been restricted in about 40% of Russia’s regions, the independent monitoring project Na Svyazi said Wednesday. “Complaints about...
Russia’s Kazan Aircraft Plant to Deliver Only One Tu-214 Jet in 2025, Missing Target for Third Year – Reports
Russia’s Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAZ) will deliver only one Tu-214 passenger jet in 2025, falling short of its revised target of three aircraft, the Kazan-based news website...
How the Kremlin's 'Foreign Agents' Law Strangled Freedom in Russia
Opinion | Russia’s law on “foreign agents” has been tightened again, allowing for criminal prosecution after only a single administrative fine.
Sensing War Fatigue, Kremlin Exploits Music Festivals to Subtly Cultivate Patriotism
“Mother Land, white birch-tree / For me, it’s Holy Rus, for others a splinter,” Tatyana Kurtukova sang from the stage at Moscow’s Poklonnaya Gora, the site of a museum dedicated to the Soviet...
New Rules Keep Tourists From Buying Russian SIM Cards, Operators Complain
Russia’s mobile operators say almost no foreign tourists bother to buy local SIM cards under new identification rules that have made the process too onerous, the RBC news website reported Wednesday.
Russian Domestic Violence NGO Nasiliu.Net Closes Amid State Pressure
Russia’s leading domestic violence support center announced Wednesday it was shutting down over intensifying government pressure and a loss of resources due to its “foreign agent” designation.
Russia Fines Yaroslavl Language School Over Link to ‘Undesirable’ British Council
A Russian court northeast of Moscow has fined a local language center for referencing the British Council, a U.K.-backed cultural organization banned earlier this year, independent media reported...
Russia Moves to Tighten Control Over Cryptocurrency Market While Legalizing Cross-Border Payments
Russian authorities are preparing sweeping new regulations for the country’s cryptocurrency market with plans to legalize cross-border transactions while sharply tightening penalties for other...
Putin Oversees Nuclear Forces Drills – Kremlin
President Vladimir Putin oversaw routine strategic nuclear forces exercises on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.
Kremlin Slams ‘Gossip and Speculation’ Surrounding Putin-Trump Summit
The Kremlin said Wednesday that preparations for a presidential summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are surrounded by “mostly incorrect” media reports despite the U.S. leader's...
Russia’s Defense Ministry Launches Major Bureaucracy Overhaul
Russia’s Defense Ministry has begun its largest internal reform in more than a decade, seeking to digitize the military’s massive bureaucracy in order to free commanders from clerical burdens, the...
Russian State Media Blames Europe, Western Media for ‘Disrupting’ Putin-Trump Summit
Russian state television has blamed European countries and Western media for the stalled preparations for a planned summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump aimed at ending the...
8 Aftershocks Rattle Kamchatka After Powerful Earthquake
At least eight aftershocks were recorded off the coast of Russia’s Far East Kamchatka peninsula in the past 24 hours, the regional Emergency Situations Ministry said Wednesday, nearly three months...
FSB Arrests Far East Man Accused of Sharing Military Data With Ukraine
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Wednesday that it had arrested a man in the Far Eastern Amur region on suspicion of treason for allegedly helping Ukraine.
Moscow Denies Reports of Delayed Lavrov-Rubio Meeting Ahead of Planned Summit
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that top U.S. and Russian diplomats had not yet scheduled a meeting to arrange a presidential summit, in response to reporting that the pre-summit talks had...
Russia’s Rostov Region Targeted in Ukrainian Drone Attack, Officials Say
Russia’s southern Rostov region was struck by a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack overnight, local Governor Yury Slyusar said.
Singing These Songs in Russia Could Land You in Jail
A group of young street musicians from St.
Chelyabinsk Official Facing Bribery Accusations Dies Fighting in Ukraine
The former deputy mayor and head of urban planning in the southern Russian city of Chelyabinsk has been killed in the war in Ukraine, local media reported late Monday, citing his friend.
Yekaterinburg Street Musician Detained After Performing in Support of Arrested Band
Police have detained a local street performer in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg after he played songs in support of an arrested St.
The Kremlin Bets on Terror Tactics as it Faces Autumn Dilemma
Opinion | Russia's 2025 summer offensive ended in a strategic defeat for the Kremlin.
Russia's Planned Tax Hike Would Put Hundreds of Thousands of Small Businesses at Risk of Closure, Lawmaker Warns
Thousands of small businesses in Russia could be forced to shut down as a result of government plans to raise the tax burden on entrepreneurs, a lawmaker warned during a meeting with Finance...
Russia Creates Database to Track and Block Cybercriminals
Russia has built a unified database of “digital traces” of cybercriminals to help authorities track down and block fraudulent networks, the newly appointed Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan said Tuesday.
Poland Signals Readiness to Arrest Putin on ICC Warrant en Route to Trump Summit
Poland could intercept President Vladimir Putin’s aircraft and hand him over to The Hague if he chose to fly over its airspace to meet U.S.
Over 120 Fall Ill in Buryatia Food Poisoning Linked to Local Retail Chain
More than 120 people have fallen ill in Russia’s Siberian republic of Buryatia following a mass food poisoning outbreak linked to ready-made meals sold in a regional supermarket chain, local...
Russian Soldiers Confront PTSD, Alcoholism and Suicidal Thoughts After Fighting in Ukraine
Russian soldier Andrei Burychin, 22, was wounded while fighting in Ukraine. Last fall, he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Yekaterinburg and later discharged with what his lawyer...
Russia Opens First Criminal Case Under New SIM Card Transfer Law
Russian police said Tuesday that they had opened the country’s first criminal case over a violation of a new law that bans the transfer of mobile phone numbers to others.
Russia’s Household Deposits Growth Slows to 3-Year Low – Central Bank
Growth in household deposits at Russian banks slowed to its weakest pace in three years last month, rising by just 67 billion rubles ($824 million) to 62.7 trillion rubles ($771.2 billion), the...
Zelensky Ready to Join Putin, Trump in Budapest If Invited
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he would be ready to join Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump at their upcoming summit in Hungary if he is invited.
Crimea Raises Gasoline Purchase Limit Amid Ongoing Shortages
Russian-backed authorities in annexed Crimea have increased the daily limit on retail gasoline sales a month after introducing fuel rationing measures to address shortages.
Russian Titanium Giant Cuts Workweek Amid Falling Demand
Russian titanium producer VSMPO-Avisma will shift part of its workforce to a four-day week from Dec. 1, citing the need to maintain operational stability as demand weakens, the company said.
Food Poisoning Outbreak Hospitalizes 90 in Siberia’s Buryatia
Nearly 90 people, more than half of them children, fell ill in Russia’s Siberian republic of Buryatia following a mass food poisoning outbreak, regional authorities said Monday.
‘You’re Afraid of Poems and Love’: Singer Monetochka Pens Verse in Support of Jailed St. Petersburg Street Musicians
Exiled Russian pop artist Monetochka has written a poem in support of three young St.
Body of Missing Chechen Woman Found in Armenia
The body of a missing Chechen woman who had reportedly fled domestic violence in her native republic of Chechnya to Armenia has been found in a rented apartment in Yerevan following a tip-off,...
Moscow Using Facial Recognition to Detain Men Challenging Military Conscription, Rights Group Says
Moscow police are using facial-recognition technology to detain men who have appealed their military conscription orders, the Civil Alliance of Russia rights group said.
Russia’s Severstal Reports Sharp Profit Drop, Negative Cash Flow
One of Russia’s largest steel producers has reported a steep decline in profit and revenue amid falling domestic demand and worsening conditions in the global metals market.
EU States Agree to End Russian Gas Imports by End of 2027
EU energy ministers on Monday agreed to phase out their remaining gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027, breaking a dependency the bloc has been struggling to end since the full-scale...
Over 150 Russian Teenagers Convicted of Terrorism or Sabotage Since Ukraine Invasion – Report
Russian courts have convicted at least 158 minors on terrorism and sabotage-related charges since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Supreme Court data analyzed by the exiled...
Russian Regions Face Deepening Budget Crisis as Reserves Run Dry
Russia’s regions are facing a looming fiscal crisis as falling tax revenues and mounting expenses have forced local governments to exhaust nearly all their financial reserves, according to data...
Ukraine or Europe’s Role in Trump-Putin Summit Unclear, Kremlin Says
There are no details yet on whether Ukraine or European countries might participate in the planned summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S.
A Russian Billionaire Was Fined for Environmental Damage. It’s Fake Accountability.
Opinion | While activists in the West demand to eat the rich — or at least tax them properly— Russia seems to be taking small steps in that direction.
EU Seeks Ways to Step Up Checks on Russia's ‘Shadow Fleet’
The European Union is looking to increase the ability of its member states to carry out inspections on Russia's “shadow fleet” of aging oil tankers, officials said on Monday.
Lavrov and Rubio Discuss Putin-Trump Summit
Russia’s top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, and U.S.
Zelensky Urges Allies Against Appeasing Russia After U.S. Trip
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday urged allies against appeasing Russia, in a statement after he returned from a trip to the United States, where he failed to secure access to...
Trump Tells Zelensky to 'Make a Deal' as Tomahawk Plea Misfires
Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday to make a deal with Russia, pouring cold water on Kyiv's push for Tomahawk missiles as the U.S. leader pursues a diplomatic...
Work Begins to Repair Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant's Power Lines in Ukraine
Work has started to repair damaged power lines to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after a lengthy outage following the establishment of local ceasefire zones, the UN's nuclear watchdog said Saturday.
3 Killed in Blast at Russian Chemical Factory – Official
Three people were killed in an explosion at a chemical plant in Russia's republic of Bashkortostan, the regional head said Saturday without specifying what caused the blast.
Putin Plans to Meet Trump in Budapest. How Will He Get There?
“Next time in Moscow?” President Vladimir Putin asked in English, turning to U.S. counterpart Donald Trump as the two leaders addressed a room of officials and reporters after their August summit...
Hollywood Stars Back Jailed Russian Activist on Hunger Strike
Actors Martin and Janet Sheen, John Cusack and Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek have signed an open letter urging Russian prison officials to end the solitary confinement of jailed activist...
Russia Says Captured 3 Villages in Ukraine's East
Russia said on Friday it had captured three villages in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions, including areas Kyiv had retaken three years ago in a surprise counteroffensive.
Russia to Introduce Standardized School Textbooks Promoting ‘Patriotism’ and ‘Traditional Values’
Russia is preparing to introduce textbooks for school language and literature classes aimed at promoting “patriotism” and “spiritual and moral values” among students, the authors of the new...
Moscow Soldier Kills Comrade Before Dying By Suicide
A Russian serviceman fatally shot a fellow soldier and then died of self-inflicted wounds in the Moscow region overnight, the military said Friday. “The service member violated safety rules for...
Dutch Supreme Court Upholds $50Bln Payment in Yukos Case
A record $50-billion payment from Russia to shareholders of dismantled oil giant Yukos remains in force after the Dutch Supreme Court on Friday quashed a Russian appeal, ending a long-running legal saga.
Kremlin Envoy Floats U.S.-Russia ‘Putin-Trump Tunnel’ Using Elon Musk Tech
A Russian presidential economic envoy and key negotiator in Ukraine peace talks has proposed building an $8 billion undersea tunnel linking Alaska and Russia using Elon Musk’s tunnel construction company.
Ukrainian Drone Kills Russian State Media Correspondent
A Russian state media correspondent was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Moscow-occupied part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, his outlet, the news agency RIA Novosti, said Thursday.
Meet Russia's Most Harmless Terrorists – The Most Decent People You Could Meet,
Opinion | The Anti-War Committee of Russia and the war itself exist in entirely separate worlds.
Russia Shot Down Its Own Fighter Jet Over Crimea During Drone Attack, Ukraine Says
Russia’s air defense systems accidentally shot down their own Su-30SM fighter jet over annexed Crimea while attempting to repel Ukrainian drone strikes overnight, Ukraine’s Navy said Friday.
Polish Court Refuses Extradition of Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect
A Polish court on Friday refused a German extradition request for a Ukrainian man suspected of involvement in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia with Europe.
Russia to 'Immediately' Start Preparing Putin-Trump Summit, Kremlin Aide Says
The Kremlin said on Thursday it would "immediately" start preparing a summit between Russian and U.S. presidents after Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump held an "extremely frank and trustful" phone call.
France Arrests 4 Suspected of Plot Against Russian Dissident
France has arrested four people in a probe into a suspected plot against an unnamed Russian dissident, anti-terror prosecutors said Thursday.
Trump Says to Meet Putin in Budapest After 'Great Progress' in Call
President Donald Trump said he would meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Budapest after making "great progress" in a call Thursday, just a day before Ukraine's leader is due at the White...
‘Battle-Forged Friends’: Pro-War Singer Shaman Dedicates New Song to Kim Jong-un
Russian popstar Shaman released a new song praising North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which he performed during a concert in Pyongyang last week, according to Russian media reports and video clips...
NATO Meets to Solidify Deterrence Against Russian Aggression as Tensions Rise
BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte struck a bullish note at the end of a meeting of the alliance’s defense ministers, saying its military and 25-fold economic superiority would be...
Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin to Resign – RBC
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin is expected to resign and be replaced by a civilian industry official, the RBC news outlet reported on Thursday, citing two people familiar with the plans.
Russia Allocates 5K Full-Ride University Scholarships for African Students
Russia has allocated more than 5,000 state-funded university places for students from African countries in the current academic year, the head of the state-sponsored cultural diplomacy agency...
A Former EU Politician Pleaded Guilty to Bribery. How Widespread Is the Problem?
Opinion | Nathan Gill, the former leader of the right-wing populist Reform UK party in Wales, pleaded guilty this September to eight counts of bribery.
Regions Calling: Governments Cut Back on Once-Lucrative Military Enlistment Payments
Hello and welcome to Regions Calling, your guide to developments beyond the Russian capital from The Moscow Times.
Georgian Police Arrest 5 Russians Over Crypto Scheme and Money Laundering
Police in the South Caucasus country of Georgia arrested five Russians accused of running an unlicensed cryptocurrency business and laundering money through illicit financial channels, authorities...
Russian Court Rules Repeat Drunk Drivers Can Lose Their Cars
Russian authorities can now confiscate vehicles from drivers convicted of repeat drunk driving offenses, state media reported on Thursday, citing a new ruling by a regional court.
U.K. Behind Major Drone Attack on Russian Airfields, FSB Chief Claims
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on Thursday accused the United Kingdom of helping Ukraine coordinate a large-scale drone assault on Russian military airfields this summer.
United States Pressures Japan to Stop Buying Russian Oil and Gas
The United States is urging Japan to stop purchasing Russian oil and gas as President Donald J.
India Moves to Cut Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure – Reuters
India is preparing to scale back its imports of Russian crude oil following pressure from the United States, Reuters reported Thursday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
Putin Signs Law Making It Easier to Prosecute ‘Foreign Agents’
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a law that makes it easier for authorities to bring criminal charges against individuals and organizations designated as “foreign agents,” further...
‘You’re F****** Fired’: Samara Governor Sacks Local Official on Camera
The governor of southern Russia’s Samara region on Tuesday abruptly fired a local district head during an inspection visit caught on camera, a video that has since gone viral for the governor’s...
By Sending Drones Into NATO States, Russia Is Repeating the Mistakes of 2022
Opinion | While the war in Ukraine remains virtually at a standstill, Russia has crossed a new line in Europe.
Russian State Giants Top Corporate Debt Ranking – Forbes
Russia’s largest state-owned companies topped the list of the country’s most indebted firms in 2024, according to a new Forbes Russia ranking released Wednesday.
Syrian President Meets With Putin in First Visit to Russia Since Assad’s Overthrow
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, in his first official visit to Russia since the overthrow of Moscow’s longtime ally Bashar al-Assad.
NATO Detects No ‘Malign Damage’ to Baltic Sea Infrastructure Since January, Official Says
BRUSSELS — NATO has not detected “malign damage” to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea since it launched its Baltic Sentry operation in January, the head of public communications at NATO...
United Kingdom Declares ‘Russian Oil Is Off the Market’ as it Sanctions Rosneft and Lukoil
The British government on Wednesday imposed sanctions against Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, four Chinese oil terminals and more than 40 “shadow fleet” tankers accused of...
Estonian Business Figures Linked to Russian War Profiteers – The Insider
Several Estonian citizens have maintained business ties with sanctioned Russian companies and individuals profiting from the war in Ukraine despite the Baltic country’s designation of Russia as a...
Putin Friend Timchenko Acquires Shell’s Former Stake in Western Siberia Oil Producer – Kommersant
Russian billionaire Gennady Timchenko has acquired British energy major Shell’s former 50% stake in a company producing oil in western Siberia, the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday,...
Chelyabinsk Court Orders Billionaire Strukov to Pay $50M Over Mining Accident
A court has ordered mining tycoon and Chelyabinsk region lawmaker Konstantin Strukov to pay 3.9 billion rubles ($49.3 million) in damages for environmental harm caused in one of Russia’s worst...
Role of Armed Russians Spotted Near Estonian Border Still Unclear, Defense Minister Says
BRUSSELS — Estonia has not yet identified the affiliation or purpose of a group of armed Russian men recently spotted near the Baltic country’s border, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told The Moscow Times.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes Slash Russia’s Fuel Exports to Lowest Level Since Early 2022 – Bloomberg
Ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure have reduced the country’s fuel exports to their lowest levels since the invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
Syrian President to Meet Putin in First Visit to Russia Since Assad’s Overthrow
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, in his first official visit to Russia since the overthrow of Moscow’s longtime ally Bashar al-Assad.
Russian Banks Slash Credit Card Issuance After 2 Months of Growth
Russian banks sharply cut back on issuing credit cards in September, with lenders approving 1.29 million cards worth a total credit limit of 141.5 billion rubles ($1.5 billion), the Kommersant...
Russia Charges Khodorkovsky, Other Exiled Dissidents With ‘Terrorism’
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on Tuesday announced criminal charges against prominent exiled anti-war figures, including former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, accusing them of forming...
When Normal Life Becomes Impossible: Stories from St. Petersburg Nearly 4 Years Into War
Nearly four years after Russia launched a full-scale war on Ukraine, St.
Russians Were Asked to Vote on the New 500-Ruble Bill Design. It Became a Political Lightning Rod.
It started with an innocuous call by the Central Bank to choose the design of Russia’s new 500-ruble (about $5) note dedicated to the North Caucasus Federal District. It ended in a spat between...
IMF Cuts Russia’s 2025 Economic Forecast Again
The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday once again lowered its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2025, projecting an expansion of just 0.6% even as it raised its global outlook.
Pro-Kremlin Activist Arrested on Fraud Charges in Nizhny Novgorod – Reports
Law enforcement authorities arrested the local head of a pro-Kremlin political organization in the central Nizhny Novgorod region on suspicion of fraud, Russian media reported Tuesday, citing...
Russian Forces Attacked UN Aid Trucks in Kherson Region, Officials Say
Russian forces struck a United Nations aid convoy in the partially occupied Kherson region of southern Ukraine on Tuesday, Ukrainian and UN officials said, though no one was reported injured or...
Jailed Russian Opposition Activist Mikhail Kriger Declares Hunger Strike
Jailed Russian opposition activist Mikhail Kriger has been on a dry hunger strike since Friday in protest of his repeated placement in solitary confinement, his supporters said.
European Rights Court Orders Russia to Pay Georgia Nearly $300M Over Violations After 2008 War
The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ordered Russia to pay Georgia more than 250 million euros ($289,000) for violations committed after the brief war between the two countries in August...
How Russia Tried to Con the U.S. Out of Money for Plutonium Disposal — and Why It Didn’t Work
Opinion | The headline that Russia has formally withdrawn from a plutonium disposal agreement with the United States sounds very serious, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
Woman Killed in Ukrainian Drone Strike on Kursk Border Region
A woman was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on a car in the southwestern Kursk region, local authorities said Tuesday.
Ousted Russian Supreme Court Judge Implicated in Child Prostitution Investigation
Former Russian Supreme Court Judge Viktor Momotov is facing new accusations of involvement in a child prostitution scheme, adding to charges that he illegally operated hotels while serving in...
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Attacking UN Aid Trucks
Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday accused the Russian military of firing on a UN aid convoy in the partially occupied southern Kherson region, adding that no one was killed in the attack.
A Teenage Boy’s Jailing Unites Chechens and Tests Kadyrov’s Influence
When a Moscow court sentenced a 16-year-old boy from the republic of Chechnya to nearly two years in a penal colony last month, it did so in defiance of Chechens across the political spectrum.
Soviet Legend Vysotsky’s Death Mask Cast to Be Sold at Auction
A bronze cast of a death mask of Soviet singer-songwriter and actor Vladimir Vysotsky will go up for auction in Monaco next week, according to the international auction house Hermitage Fine Art.
Why Is Central Asia Buying Trump’s Attention?
Opinion | For a region located far from the current major global crises, Central Asia has attracted an unusual amount of attention from the great powers in recent years.
FSB Accuses Ukraine of Plotting Bomb Attack With ISIS Against Senior Officer
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Monday that it thwarted a planned bomb attack on a senior military officer that was allegedly organized by Ukrainian special services in coordination...
‘Could End Badly’: Medvedev Threatens Trump Over Tomahawks for Ukraine
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on Monday warned U.S.
Ukrainian Drone Strike Sets Fire at Crimean Oil Depot for Second Time in a Week
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on annexed Crimea caused a fire to erupt at a major oil depot, Kremlin-installed authorities said early Monday.
Russian Navy Denies Technical Malfunction Forced Submarine to Surface Near France
Russia’s Navy on Monday denied claims that one of its submarines was forced to surface off the coast of France last week after reportedly encountering technical problems.
Ukrainian Drone Strike Sets Fire at Crimean Oil Depot
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on annexed Crimea caused a fire to erupt at a major oil depot, Kremlin-installed authorities said early Monday.
Freed in Prisoner Swap, Kara-Murza Again Declared Wanted by Russia
Russia’s Interior Ministry has issued an arrest warrant for prominent Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, the exiled news website Mediazona reported on Monday, though the exact charges against him...
Cuba Denies Participating in Ukraine War
Cuba on Saturday denied U.S. assertions that it is involved in the military conflict in Ukraine or had sent soldiers there.
Zelensky Warns Russia Exploiting Lack of 'Attention' on War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lobbied his allies for more air defences on Sunday, warning that Russia was "taking advantage" of attention shifting away from the Ukraine war to intensify...
U.S. Intelligence Helps Ukraine Strike Russian Energy Infrastructure – FT
The United States has been providing Ukraine with intelligence to help plan long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, since this summer, the Financial...
Zelensky Urges Trump to Broker Ukraine Peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine, as he did in the Middle East, during a phone call on Saturday, the Ukrainian leader said.
Russian Attack Cuts Power to Parts of Ukraine’s Odesa Region
An overnight Russian attack left parts of Ukraine's southern Odesa region without power early Saturday, the latest strike to target Ukraine's energy system ahead of winter, authorities said.
Russian Low-Cost Drones Are Changing the Face of Its War in Ukraine
KHERSON REGION, Ukraine — At 11:00 in the morning, our car pulls onto the M-14 highway linking Mykolaiv and Kherson. “We’re lucky today,” says my guide, local journalist Svitlana Horevaya,...
Moscow Court Orders Seizure of Yabloko Deputy Head’s Assets Pending ‘Army Fakes’ Trial
A Moscow court on Friday ordered the seizure of assets belonging to the arrested deputy chairman of the liberal Yabloko party as part of a criminal case against him for spreading “fakes” about the...
Putin Praises Trump’s ‘Real Efforts’ Toward Peace, Blasts Nobel Committee
President Vladimir Putin on Friday praised U.S.
Azerbaijan Frees Sputnik Editor After Putin Blames Deadly Plane Crash on Russian Missiles
Azerbaijan released the local bureau chief of Russia’s state-owned news outlet Sputnik following high-level negotiations with Moscow, the Kommersant business newspaper reported on Thursday, citing...
St. Petersburg Police Uncover Major Military Recruitment Scam
Russian police arrested four men accused of defrauding soldiers out of their military salaries and bonuses meant for deployment in Ukraine, the Interior Ministry said Friday.
Russian Air Attacks Batter Ukraine’s Energy Grid, Kill Young Boy
Russian drones and missiles pummelled Ukraine's struggling energy infrastructure early Friday, cutting power to thousands across the country and killing a seven-year-old boy.
Moscow Postpones Arab Summit Amid Reports of Low Interest
The Kremlin announced Thursday that it had postponed the planned Russia-Arab summit in Moscow after President Vladimir Putin and his Iraqi counterpart agreed that many Arab leaders would be unable...
Opposition Politician Shlosberg Returned to House Arrest Pending ‘Discreditation’ Trial
A court in the northwestern Pskov region has ordered opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to be returned to house arrest three days after initially releasing him, the Yabloko party’s press service...
Government Launches Airline Safety Inspections After Aviation Accidents Double
Russian authorities will launch thorough inspections of regional airlines amid a growing number of aviation accidents and fatalities in recent years, the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia reported on...
Kremlin Adviser Says U.S.-Russia Peace Talks Still Alive, Contradicting Deputy Foreign Minister
Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov said Thursday that efforts by Russia and the United States to reach a peace deal in Ukraine were still alive, directly contradicting comments from a...
Russia’s Metals Industry Faces Layoffs, Shortened Workweeks – Reuters
Russia’s metals industry is facing a wave of layoffs and reduced working hours as demand slumps and financial pressures mount, Reuters reported Thursday, citing industry sources.
Digital Rights NGO Roskomsvoboda Shuts Down
The independent digital rights group Roskomsvoboda said on Thursday that it would shut down after 13 years of advocating against and monitoring government restrictions on the internet.
Ukraine Orders Evacuation of Children Around Frontline City of Kramatorsk
Ukraine announced on Thursday it was ordering the evacuation of children and their guardians from towns and villages in and around the frontline city of Kramatorsk, citing an uptick in Russian...
Russian Missiles Exploded Near Azerbaijani Plane That Crashed Last Year, Putin Admits
President Vladimir Putin told Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev on Thursday that two Russian anti-aircraft missiles had exploded several meters away from an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet that crashed...
Anti-War Activist Held in Armenia Over a Month After Russian Extradition Request
A Russian anti-war activist sentenced to prison in her home country has been held in custody in Armenia for more than a month following an extradition request from Moscow, media reported on Wednesday.
How the Kremlin Decided to Sacrifice Small Business to Pay for War
Opinion | Last week, the Kremlin rolled out the message: “VAT saves the budget — everyone must become a savior.” By making the easiest tax to collect the main revenue source — raising value-added...
Russians Repatriate Record Sums From Foreign Banks – Central Bank
Russians are continuing to move savings from foreign banks back home, with net transfers to domestic accounts reaching 58.5 billion rubles ($720 million) in August, according to preliminary...
Ukrainian Drone Attack Sparks Fires at Energy Sites in Volgograd Region
Fires broke out at energy sites in the southern Volgograd region overnight Thursday, following what officials described as a “large-scale” Ukrainian drone attack.
Russian Missiles Exploded Near Azerbaijani Plane That Crashed Last Year, Putin Says
President Vladimir Putin told Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev on Thursday that two Russian anti-aircraft missiles had exploded several meters from an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet that crashed last...
Far East Court Upholds Detention of French Cyclist
A court in the Far East Primorye region on Thursday upheld the detention of Sofiane Sehili, a French endurance cyclist arrested last month while attempting to set a world record for cycling across Eurasia.
Putin Arrives in Tajikistan as Russia Seeks to Reassert Influence in Central Asia
President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tajikistan on Wednesday night for a three-day visit aimed at shoring up Russia's influence in Central Asia, a region where Moscow's longstanding dominance has...
Russia Has Started Blocking Foreign SIM Cards for 24 Hours, Belarus Says
Russia has begun enforcing a 24-hour blackout on mobile data and text messaging for all foreign SIM cards that connect to its networks, authorities in neighboring Belarus said this week.
FSB Arrests Man Accused of Blowing Up Soldier’s Car
Russian law enforcement authorities said Wednesday that they arrested a 24-year-old man accused of blowing up a soldier’s car on instructions from Ukraine.
World Bank Cuts Russia's Growth Outlook, Warns of Long-Term Stagnation
Russia’s economy is heading toward stagnation rather than a “managed slowdown,” the World Bank said in its latest forecast, cutting its growth outlook and warning that output is unlikely to rise...
Ukrainian Rocket Attack on Belgorod Fitness Center Kills 3
Three people were killed in a Ukrainian rocket strike on the southwestern Belgorod region, authorities said early Wednesday, the second deadly attack on the border region this week.
Russia’s Farm Sector Losing 150K Workers a Year, Agriculture Minister Warns
Russia’s agriculture sector is losing about 150,000 workers every year, hampering efforts to boost food production, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said Wednesday. “There is a personnel shortage...
Bill Browder: It’s Time to Make Putin Pay for His War
Once a leading investor in Russian markets, U.S.-born British financier Bill Browder has been an outspoken critic of the Kremlin since the death of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, in a Russian...
Russian Nuclear Engineer Sentenced to 18 Years on Treason, Terrorism Charges
A Russian nuclear engineer has been sentenced to 18 years in a maximum-security prison for donating to Ukraine-based paramilitary units of Russian citizens, the Kommersant business daily reported...
Prominent Russian Culinary Historian Hit With Criminal Charges for ‘Army Fakes’
Russian law enforcement authorities on Wednesday pressed criminal charges against culinary historian Pavel Syutkin for allegedly spreading “false information” about the Russian military.
Danone’s Former Russian Business Renamed as ‘Milk Logic’
Russia’s leading dairy and baby food producer, formerly owned by the French food giant Danone, announced on Wednesday a full rebrand to mark what the company called its final stage of localization.
Have Ukrainian Drones Really Knocked Out 38% of Russia’s Oil Refining Capacity?
Opinion | There has been a lot of speculation in recent days about how much damage Ukrainian drone attacks have done to Russia’s oil refineries, with some news outlets claiming Russia has lost 38%...
Russia Moves to Formally Exit Landmark U.S. Plutonium Disposal Pact
Russia’s lower-house State Duma voted Wednesday to fully withdraw from a long-suspended bilateral agreement with the United States on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium.
Renowned Architect Gunned Down in St. Petersburg in Suspected Murder by Ukraine War Veteran
Russian police have launched a murder investigation after a renowned architect was shot and killed in front of his 10-year-old daughter in St.
Russia Boosts Fuel Imports From Belarus as Refinery Strikes Deepen Domestic Shortages
Russia has ramped up imports of gasoline from Belarus to ease mounting fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its oil refineries, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing industry sources.
Russia Says ‘Momentum’ for Ukraine Peace Deal Has Faded, Blames U.S. for Worsening Ties
Russia's deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday that progress toward a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine had largely stalled, blaming Kyiv's European allies for undermining earlier...
Russian Stocks Suffer Sharpest Single-Day Drop in 3 Years
Russia’s stock market suffered its steepest single-day decline in three years on Wednesday after a senior diplomat said that progress toward a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine had...
Sobchak Deletes Interview With Gay Singer After Roskomnadzor Flags ‘LGBT Propaganda’
Media personality Ksenia Sobchak said Wednesday that she deleted a recent interview on her popular YouTube channel after Russia’s state media regulator warned her that it contained signs of “LGBT...
Russia Holds First Official Talks With Taliban After Terrorist List Removal
Russia held its first official meeting with Afghanistan on Tuesday after recognizing the Taliban government earlier this year, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov using the occasion to...
Russia's Power of Siberia 2 Deal With China Would Take a Decade to Boost Gas Exports – Reuters
Russia will need at least a decade to significantly increase its gas exports to China via the planned Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, Reuters reported Tuesday.
Ukrainian Drone Attack in Occupied Kherson Kills 4, Kremlin-Backed Governor Says
A Ukrainian drone strike in an occupied area of southern Ukraine's Kherson region killed four people, Kremlin-installed authorities said Tuesday.
More Taxes for More War: Unpacking Russia’s 2026 Budget
Russia’s Finance Ministry has unveiled a draft federal budget for 2026 that includes new tax hikes aimed at sustaining steady wartime spending.
Opposition Politician Shlosberg Released From House Arrest Pending ‘Discreditation’ Trial
A court in the northwestern Pskov region released opposition politician Lev Shlosberg from house arrest pending trial for his criticism of the invasion of Ukraine, the Yabloko party’s press...
Drones Target Oil Refinery in Western Siberia’s Tyumen Region in What May Be Ukraine’s Farthest Strike Yet
Authorities in Western Siberia’s Tyumen region said they downed three drones near an industrial site on Monday evening in what may be the furthest Ukrainian drone incursion reported inside Russian...
How Russia Is Turning a Captured Nuclear Power Plant into a Propaganda Piece
The tenth blackout at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant — now lasting more than ten days — has stirred deep concern and debate among experts, policymakers and the public alike.
Kremlin Backs Merkel’s Claim That Poland and Baltics Blocked Talks With Putin
The Kremlin on Tuesday endorsed former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s recent claim that Poland and the Baltic states had thwarted efforts to hold EU-Russia talks before the full-scale invasion...
EU Moves to Restrict Travel of Russian Diplomats Amid Espionage Fears – FT
European Union member states have agreed to restrict the movements of Russian diplomats traveling within the bloc amid growing concerns over suspected Russian espionage and sabotage operations,...
Ukraine Mounts Second Straight Night of Mass Drone Strikes on Russia
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that its air defense systems destroyed nearly 200 Ukrainian drones in a second consecutive night of large-scale air attacks, with regional authorities...
Putin Spends Subdued 73rd Birthday at Work
President Vladimir Putin is spending his 73rd birthday working and taking calls with foreign leaders, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
Energy Worker Killed in Ukrainian Rocket Attack on Belgorod After Drone Strikes Knock Out Power
At least one person was killed in a Ukrainian rocket attack on the southwestern Belgorod region, Russian authorities said Monday afternoon, after thousands of residents were left without power due...
Number of New Moscow Housing Projects Falls to 12-Year Low – Vedomosti
The number of new housing projects launched in Moscow has fallen to its lowest level in 12 years after the end of subsidized mortgage programs and record-high market rates hit demand, the...
Russian Soldier Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison After Giving Interviews to Ukrainian Blogger
A Russian soldier freed in a prisoner swap with Ukraine has been sentenced to four years in a penal colony after he gave interviews to a Ukrainian blogger, the exiled news outlet Mediazona...
Russia’s New Border Rules Could Cut Off Key Trade Routes, Kazakh Lawmaker Warns
Russia’s new border restrictions risk costing Kazakhstan vital trade access through Russia and Belarus by forcing truck drivers from the country into technical violations of Russian law, a Kazakh...
Russia’s Planned VAT Hike Expected to Push Inflation Higher, Finance Ministry Says
Russia’s plan to raise its value-added tax, or VAT, to fund soaring defense and security spending is expected to drive consumer prices up by around 1% next year, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov...
Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tankers Linked to Oil Leaks in European Waters – Politico
At least five tankers from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — vessels used to evade Western sanctions — have leaked oil into European waters over the past year, an investigation by Politico and...
Ukrainian Rocket Attack on Belgorod Kills 2 After Drone Strikes Knock Out Power
At least two people were killed in a Ukrainian rocket attack on the southwestern Belgorod region on Monday afternoon after thousands of residents were left without power due to an earlier drone barrage.
Kremlin Dismisses Merz’s ‘Baseless’ Claim That Russia Is Behind Drone Flights in Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s claim that Russia was behind a series of drone sightings in the skies above Germany last week is “baseless,” the Kremlin said Monday.
FSB Says It Foiled Planned Attack on Synagogue Ahead of Oct. 7 Anniversary
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Monday that it had thwarted planned attacks on Jewish religious sites in the Krasnoyarsk and Stavropol regions.
Is Russia’s Justice System Reshuffle an Attempt to Rein in the Security Forces?
Opinion | On Sept. 24, Igor Krasnov, who had been prosecutor general, was officially appointed head of Russia’s Supreme Court.
Thousands Without Power in Belgorod After Ukraine Launches Major Drone Attack on Russia
Russia’s Defense Ministry said early Monday that its air defense systems destroyed 251 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of Ukraine’s largest retaliatory attacks on Russia this year.
Trump Suggests Willing To Extend Arms Control Deal With Russia
United States President Donald Trump said Sunday he was prepared to maintain a nuclear arms treaty between Washington and Moscow, after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin proposed a one-year extension.
Russian Strikes Kill Five in Ukraine, Cause Power Outages
Intense Russian strikes on Sunday against Ukraine killed five people in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Lviv in the west and badly damaged energy infrastructure, severing power supplies to...
Georgia Ruling Party Wins Local Polls as Mass Protests Flare
Georgia's ruling party won local elections Saturday and police fired tear gas and water cannons at anti-government protesters who tried to enter the presidential palace, as tens of thousands of...
Russian Strikes Kill 5 in Ukraine, Cause Power Outages
Intense Russian strikes on Sunday against Ukraine killed five people in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Lviv in the west and badly damaged energy infrastructure, severing power supplies to...
Russian Strike on Ukraine Train Station Wounds at Least 30, Zelensky Says
A Russian drone strike on a railway station in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy wounded at least 30 people, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday.
'A Bit Unusual': Russia's Sochi Resort Grapples With Ukrainian Drones
Internet blackouts have become a fact of daily life in the Russian city of Sochi, which is coming under increasing threat of retaliatory Ukrainian drone strikes.
Russian Rail Strikes Kill One, Wound Dozens as Attacks Intensify Near Ukraine’s Front
The head of Ukraine's railways said Saturday that Russia was intensifying a campaign of air strikes on the network in an attempt to isolate frontline communities ahead of winter.
Macron Blames Russia as Drone Kills French Photojournalist in Ukraine
A drone killed a French photojournalist on assignment in eastern Ukraine on Friday and wounded a Ukrainian reporter, officials and media groups said.
Russian Rail Strikes Kill 1, Wound Dozens as Attacks Intensify Near Ukraine’s Front
The head of Ukraine's railways said Saturday that Russia was intensifying a campaign of air strikes on the network in an attempt to isolate frontline communities ahead of winter.
Moscow Businessman Arrested Over Decades-Old Contract Killings
Moscow police have arrested businessman Ibragim Suleimanov on suspicion of involvement in two contract killings over two decades ago, state media reported Friday.
Russia’s Auto Industry Faces Labor Shortages as 4-Day Work Week Forces Employees Out – Reports
The GAZ group, one of Russia’s leading auto makers, is facing mounting labor shortages as a reduced work week drives down wages and push skilled workers to quit, the Mash Telegram channel reported.
Citibank to Stop Servicing Client Accounts in Russia – Reuters
Citibank, the Russian subsidiary of U.S. banking group Citigroup, will wind down its remaining operations in Russia from Nov. 1, Reuters reported Friday.
Both Pilots Dead After Small Aircraft Crashes in Remote Siberian Region
A small utility plane crashed in a remote area of Siberia’s Krasnoyarsk region on Friday, killing both pilots on board, Russian authorities said.
Russia’s Private Sector Activity Hits 3-Year Low
Business activity in Russia’s private sector shrank sharply in September to its lowest level in three years, according to a new survey by S&P Global.
Kyiv Says Russia Launches Largest-Ever Attack on Gas Sites
Russia overnight carried out its largest attack on Ukraine's gas network since Moscow first invaded in 2022, Kyiv's state-owned gas operator said Friday.
EU Weighs Handing Raiffeisen $2Bln in Deripaska-Linked Strabag Shares – FT
The European Union is considering unfreezing 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) worth of shares in Austrian construction group Strabag once linked to sanctioned Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska and...
Death Toll in Leningrad Region Bootleg Alcohol Poisoning Rises to 41
At least 41 people have died in northwestern Russia’s Leningrad region after consuming bootleg alcohol containing lethal amounts of methanol, the RBC news website reported Friday, citing law...
Munich Airport Closure 'Wake-Up Call' Over Drone Danger – Govt
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Friday that the temporary closure of Munich airport after drone sightings was a "wake-up call" about the threat from drones, which have caused a...
Ukrainian Drones Hit Major Russian Oil Refinery, Chemical Plant
Ukrainian drones attacked a major Russian oil refinery in the Orenburg region and one of its largest chemical producers in the Perm region overnight, officials in both regions said Friday.
Moscow Businessman Arrested Over Unsolved 2000s Murder of Ex-Russian Official
Moscow police have arrested businessman Ibragim Suleimanov on suspicion of involvement in the 2004 murder of the former head of Russia’s now-defunct government bankruptcy body, state media reported Friday.
Russia-Linked Tanker Stopped by France Resumes Voyage – Vessel Trackers
A tanker from Russia's "shadow fleet" detained by the French navy was heading towards the Suez Canal Friday with its captain back on board, according to data from maritime websites and a source...
Daughter of Late Russian Journalist Irina Slavina Detained While Laying Flowers in Her Memory
Nizhny Novgorod police detained the late journalist Irina Slavina's daughter as she tried to lay flowers outside the regional police headquarters in memory of her mother, human rights watchdog...
Finland Dismisses Case Over Baltic Cable Cuts
A Helsinki court on Friday dismissed a case against three members of a ship from Russia's "shadow fleet" suspected of cutting Baltic Sea cables, saying it was beyond its jurisdiction.
Ukrainian Drones Hit Major Russian Chemical Plant in Perm Region – Governor
Ukrainian drones struck one of Russia’s largest chemical producers in Russia’s Perm region overnight, regional Governor Dmitry Makhonin said.
Munich Airport Resumes Flights After Drone Sightings Trigger Closure
Germany's Munich airport restarted flights on Friday after several drone sightings forced its closure overnight, the latest in a string of similar aviation disruptions across Europe.
Power Flowing to Chernobyl Nuclear Plant After Outage – Officials
The defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant was being supplied with power as normal on Thursday, Ukrainian officials told AFP, a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky sounded the alarm over a temporary...
Russia Says Exchanged Captured Soldiers, Civilians With Ukraine in New Swap
Russia and Ukraine on Thursday exchanged 185 captured soldiers each in the latest prisoner swap agreed during bilateral talks in Istanbul in July, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on social...
Thousands of Trucks Stuck at Kazakhstan-Russia Border Amid Customs Crackdown
Thousands of trucks carrying goods from China are backed up at the Kazakhstan-Russia border due to tightened customs checks, the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday, citing cargo companies.
Russia Upgrades Missiles to Evade Ukraine’s Patriot Defenses – FT
Russia has modified its ballistic missiles to maneuver in flight and evade Ukrainian air defense systems including U.S.-supplied Patriots, the Financial Times reported Thursday, citing Ukrainian...
Putin Says Responsibility for Peace Lies With EU, Vows Response to Europe’s ‘Militarization’
Responsibility for ending the war in Ukraine rests with European countries, President Vladimir Putin said at the Valdai Discussion Club on Thursday.
Regions Calling: Altai Protests, Kamchatka Bear Attacks and More
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Regions Calling, your guide to developments beyond the Russian capital from The Moscow Times.
Europe’s Top Rights Body to Create ‘Platform for Dialogue’ With Exiled Russian Opposition
Europe’s top human rights body has approved the creation of a Platform for Dialogue with Russian democratic forces in exile, it reported Thursday.
How Putin's Spiritual Adviser Uses Charlie Kirk to Court U.S. Conservatives
Opinion | Just hours before the memorial service for slain American activist Charlie Kirk began at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Pravoslavie.ru and its English counterpart...
France to Try Chinese Captain of Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Vessel
A French court is to try the Chinese captain of a tanker from Russia's "shadow fleet" early next year after it was intercepted off France, prosecutors said Thursday, in a move seen as a message to...
Russia Cut Power to Defunct Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, Ukraine Says
The site of Ukraine's defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant, which was partially destroyed in a 1986 meltdown, lost power on Wednesday after Russia shelled a nearby substation, Kyiv said.
Russia Arrests Yabloko Deputy Head Over ‘Army Fakes’
Russian investigators have arrested the deputy chairman of the liberal Yabloko party on criminal charges of spreading “false information” about the military, law enforcement authorities said Wednesday.
‘Not a Drone Attack’: Major Oil Refinery Catches Fire in Russia’s Yaroslavl Region
A fire broke out at one of Russia’s largest oil refineries in the Yaroslavl region north of Moscow on Wednesday morning in what authorities described as a “man-made” incident unrelated to...
Denmark Warns EU Over Russian 'Hybrid War' as Leaders Talk Defense
Danish premier Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday urged Europe to step up its response to Russia's "hybrid war," as she hosted EU leaders for defense talks held under tight security following mystery...
Russia Agrees With Hegseth's 'Prepare for War to Ensure Peace' Message, Kremlin Says
The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russia, like the United States, is committed to strengthening its military while also seeking peace, following U.S.
Russia Says Situation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Under Control
The situation at the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine is "under control," the Moscow-installed operator said Wednesday, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky...
French Navy Boards Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Ship, Arrests 2
France has detained two senior crew members of a tanker linked to Russia, which data showed was off the Danish coast last month during mysterious drone flights, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
France Probing Russia-Linked Tanker for 'Serious Offenses' – Macron
France is probing an EU-sanctioned, Russian-linked oil tanker for "serious offenses," President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday — stopping short of confirming reports of a connection to mysterious...
China's Visa-Free Policy for Russians Isn't the Win Moscow Says It Is
Opinion | On the eve of a parade in Beijing celebrating 80 years since the end of World War II, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that short-stay entry requirements for Russian citizens would...
Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank Fails Again to Exit Russia as Authorities Block Sale – Reuters
Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), the largest Western lender still operating in Russia, has failed once again to sell its Russian business and withdraw from the country, Reuters...
Russian Children Form Human ‘89’ to Mark Anniversary of Unrecognized Annexation of Ukraine
Russia marked the third anniversary of its annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions with patriotic events involving schoolchildren, kindergartners and public employees, the state...
'No Immediate Danger' at Ukraine Nuclear Plant After Power Loss – IAEA
The Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, which has been without power for more than a week, faces no imminent danger as long as backup generators are working, the UN nuclear...
Telegram Founder Durov Says He Survived 2018 Poisoning Attempt
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has claimed that he survived a poisoning attempt in the spring of 2018, but chose not to reveal the incident until now to focus on business priorities.
Russia Intensified Drone, Missile Strikes on Ukraine in September – AFP Analysis
Russia intensified its long-range missile and drone strikes on Ukraine in September, an AFP analysis of data from Kyiv's Air Force showed, attacks that came amid a spate of alleged Russian...
Russia to Scrap Gasoline Import Tariffs, Additive Ban in Bid to Stabilize Fuel Market
The Russian government seeks to scrap tariffs on gasoline imports and temporarily allow a banned chemical additive to stabilize the domestic fuel market, the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday.
Russia Claims Fresh Push Into Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Region
Russia's army on Wednesday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine's eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, accelerating its advance into an area that had previously been largely spared...
Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 Ramps Up Output to Record Levels – Bloomberg
Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project has boosted production to a record high since its launch in December 2023, helped by exports to China, even as looming winter ice will soon halt shipments along the...
Russian-Installed Official Killed in Occupied Ukraine
A Kremlin-installed official was killed by a Ukrainian drone strike in southern Ukraine’s frontline Kherson region, pro-Russian authorities said Wednesday.
Finnish Defense Minister Says ’No Drones Can Rattle’ Country
Finland will not be intimidated by attempts to destabilize it and the rest of Europe with drones and other so-called “hybrid” attacks, Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen told AFP on Tuesday.
Russia’s Largest Chip Maker Tops List of Most Unprofitable Companies
Russian state-owned microchip maker Angstrem has been ranked the country’s most loss-making company in 2024, with a net loss of 236.3 billion rubles ($2.86 billion), Forbes reported in its latest...
Russia Plans Steeper Utility Tariff Hikes in 2026-2028, Outpacing Inflation
Russia’s government plans sharper increases in household utility tariffs over the next three years than previously expected, according to an updated forecast underpinning the draft federal budget.
Czech Republic Curbs Russian Diplomats' Entry
The Czech Republic announced Tuesday it is restricting the holders of Russian diplomatic and business passports from entering the country in what it said was an EU first, citing security concerns.
Russia Privatizes Iconic Soviet Animation Studio Soyuzmultfilm
The Russian government has sold its stake in the iconic Soviet-era animation studio Soyuzmultfilm to an unnamed buyer after a 16-year delay, the RBC news website reported Tuesday, citing a note...
Russia Extends Gasoline Export Ban, Restricts Diesel Shipments
Russia has extended its ban on gasoline exports and introduced new restrictions on diesel shipments until the end of 2025 in a bid to stabilize domestic fuel supplies, the government said Tuesday.
Russian Drone Strike Kills Family of 4 in Ukrainian Village
A Russian drone strike crashed on a village in Ukraine overnight, killing two small boys and their parents, including the mother pregnant with twins, Ukrainian authorities said.
St. Petersburg Crematorium to Become 'Europe's Largest' in Major Expansion
Authorities in St.
Russia to Test Students’ ‘Traditional Values’ With New App
Russia plans to roll out an app to measure how strongly university students embrace “traditional values,” the Vedomosti business newspaper reported Tuesday, citing a government procurement notice.
Russia’s First Children’s Drone School Opens in Krasnodar as Founder Rejects Militarization Claims
Authorities in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar have unveiled what they call the country’s first school for children dedicated to assembling and operating drones.
FSB Says It Arrested Mordovia Teen for Railway Sabotage
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Tuesday that it had arrested a teenager in the republic of Mordovia on suspicion of organizing railway arson attacks with the help of minors.
As Kremlin Boasts of Arctic Riches, Indigenous Peoples Struggle to Survive
For months, Kseniia Bolshakova’s sister has struggled to put food on the table in Khatanga, a village of 2,500 people and one of Russia’s northernmost settlements. “She said they haven’t been able...
Russia Extends Jailing of French Cyclist
A Russian court on Tuesday ordered a French cyclist who was detained during a record-breaking cross-continental trip to be held in jail until at least November 3, state media reported.
Putin Can't Hide Russia's Gasoline Crisis
Opinion | Gasoline in Russia is being rationed from its western Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad to Vladivostok in the Far East. The nation that parades as an energy superpower cannot keep its own...
Russia's Billionaires Are Losing the Global Wealth Race
Opinion | However abstract market capitalization may be, and however far it may diverge from companies’ real assets, stock market trends still shape the fortunes of the world’s wealthiest people.
‘I’d Never Make it Home Alive’: Russia’s War in Ukraine Turns Conscripts Into Deserters
When Vitaly Vasilyev, a 23-year-old from a rural village in the republic of Chuvashia, was drafted into the Russian army in 2021, he had no intention of becoming a contract soldier, much less...
Russia's Eurovision Rip-Off Exposes Kremlin's Delusions of Cultural Grandeur
Opinion | Late in the evening on Sept. 20, Russia staged the Intervision contest, which Moscow proudly declared to be the heir to the musical events held irregularly since 1965 in the countries of...
Luxury Firm Cucinelli Chided by Italian Regulators Over Russia Claims
Shares in Italian luxury group Brunello Cucinelli were temporarily suspended Thursday after allegations it "misled shareholders" over its operations in Russia in violation of EU sanctions.
Russian Scheme to Draw Foreign Investment Sees No Uptake, Official Says
Russian authorities’ hopes of attracting Western capital to the domestic stock market have so far failed to materialize, as investors from “unfriendly” countries have shown little interest in new...
Russia’s High Rates Pose Bigger Threat to Companies Than Past Crises, Think Tank Warns
Prolonged high interest rates may inflict more damage on Russia’s corporate sector than the economic shocks of 2020 and 2022, a Kremlin-linked think tank said in a new report, warning that a...
Russia’s Tax Service Seeks Bankruptcy of Tyumen’s Largest Timber Firm
Russia’s Federal Tax Service has filed a bankruptcy petition against the Tobol Timber Company, the largest timber firm in Siberia’s Tyumen region, over unpaid taxes exceeding 14.6 million rubles...
Can Russia’s Militarized Economy Ever Return to a Civilian Model?
Opinion | Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has lasted almost as long as the Soviet involvement in World War II and seems endless.
Russian Regions Ration Gasoline as Drone Strikes Cripple Refineries
Gas stations across Russia have started rationing fuel sales as drone strikes on oil refineries by Ukraine deepen a supply crisis, the pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia reported Wednesday.
Russia Moves to Raise VAT by 2% as Budget Deficit Swells
Russia’s Finance Ministry on Wednesday proposed raising the country’s value-added tax (VAT) from 20% to 22% starting next year, as part of a new three-year budget plan aimed at covering surging...
Their Fathers Fighting in Ukraine, Some of Russia’s Military Children Fall Into a Broken Orphanage System
As part of the Kremlin’s campaign to reduce orphanhood, Russia’s children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova said she has given “particular attention” to families of men fighting in...
In First, Chinese Cargo Ship Docks in Sanctioned Crimean Port – FT
A Chinese-owned cargo vessel has docked in the port of Sevastopol for the first time since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, the Financial Times reported Tuesday, citing satellite...
Russians Cut Bank Debt as Lending Slows After Credit Boom
Russian households reduced their debt burden in August, with outstanding bank claims on the population down 1.2% year-on-year, the Central Bank said.
Urals Businessman Arrested as Prosecutors Move to Seize Utility Companies
Russian police arrested Urals businessman Alexei Bobrov in Moscow and transferred him to the city of Yekaterinburg for questioning, Russian media reported Tuesday, citing law enforcement sources.
The Quiet Exit of Putin’s Iron Chancellor
Opinion | In the quarter-century that Vladimir Putin has been in power, Kremlinologists have come to know his political and bureaucratic style down to the smallest details.
Explained: War Hits Home by Thwarting Russians’ Air Travel
More than 200 flights were delayed or canceled in Moscow on Tuesday following a mass drone attack on the Russian capital. As drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine have intensified in recent...
The Rapprochement Between Russia and Syria Is a Temporary Necessity
Opinion | Clashes between Syria’s new Islamist authorities and the Druze minority in the southern Sweida province, coupled with Israeli strikes against Syrian government forces, have forced...
Russia’s Taxi Industry Hits a Breaking Point as Prices Soar, Migrants Shut Out and Options Shrink
Luxury taxi service Wheely vanished from Moscow’s streets this month after a court ordered its blocking for refusing to share passenger data with the security services. Days later, St.
Russia Calls On UN Aviation Body to Lift Sanctions – Reuters
Russia has asked the UN’s aviation body to ease sanctions on spare parts and overflights that were imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported Monday, citing documents it had seen and a...
Catherine Merridale Digs Into Stalin-Era History With Detective Novel ‘Moscow Underground’
Catherine Merridale, a historian of Russia and the former Soviet world and an award-winning writer of nonfiction, has published “Moscow Underground,” a detective novel set in Moscow in 1934. She...
Russia’s Answer to Eurovision Hits a Flat Note
It was a night designed to showcase the Kremlin’s vision of cultural independence from the West and show Russian viewers that efforts to isolate their nation over the invasion of Ukraine had failed.
For Russians Like Me, Silencing Jimmy Kimmel Looks Dangerously Familiar
Opinion | The removal from the air of a second American comedian since President Donald Trump was elected in the United States should send chills down the spine of every journalist who worked in...
Russia Faces a Fraught Homecoming for Hundreds of Thousands of Ukraine War Veterans
When President Vladimir Putin praised veterans of the war in Ukraine this year as “the elite who defend the Motherland,” he cast them as a generation of men ready to lead Russia into the future....
Russia Is Testing NATO With Drones and Disinformation. Here’s How the West Should Respond.
Opinion | The violation of Polish airspace with Russian drones on the night of Sept. 9-10 is one of the most straightforward examples of how the West is already experiencing direct Russian aggression.
Regions Calling: Russia’s Tourism Reshuffle, Nationwide Elections and More
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Regions Calling, your guide to developments beyond the Russian capital from The Moscow Times.
Australian-Born Singer Vassy to Represent U.S. at Intervision Contest in Last-Minute Switch
Australian-born singer Vassy will represent the United States at Russia’s answer to Eurovision after American R&B artist B.
Russia Inflates Battlefield Gains After a Costly Summer Offensive
The chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, declared in late August that his forces had achieved major victories across eastern and southern Ukraine in their summer offensive.
How Russian Parents Can Protect Their Children From Indoctrination in Schools
Opinion | Starting on Sept. 1, trial runs of “Important Conversations” began in kindergartens — targeting children as young as three to seven in over 100 kindergartens across Russia and occupied...
Trump’s Sanctions Playbook: Impossible Demands, Guaranteed Delays
Opinion | United States President Donald Trump’s latest wheeze for imposing further sanctions on Russia comes with a jaw-dropping catch: NATO must first impose tariffs of 50% to 100% on China. On...
Why Is the Kremlin Insisting on Ukraine Holding Elections?
Opinion | The Kremlin has been signaling that Russia will not sign a peace agreement with Ukraine while President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom it considers to be an illegitimate ruler, remains in power.
Putin’s Musings on Immortality Highlight His Glaring Succession Dilemma
The aging autocrats walked side by side, leading a procession of foreign leaders to watch a military parade in Beijing.
Orthodox Faith with Soviet Aesthetics: What a Rare Moscow Parade Says About Power in Russia
Opinion | The September 7 religious procession from Christ the Savior Cathedral to Novodevichy Convent, led by Patriarch Kirill, deserves scrutiny not for what it revealed about Orthodox faith,...
Beyond Putin and Xi’s Bromance, Chinese Culture Creeps Into Daily Life in Russia
When President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart Chinese Xi Jinping met this month in Beijing, the Russian leader hailed relations between the two countries as being at an “unprecedented level.” ...
Western Sanctions Have Unintended Climate Consequences in Russia
Opinion | The warning signs are clear in the Far North, where Russian and Alaskan towns are literally sinking into the ground.
Trump’s Inaction Hands Putin a Lifeline Through China
Opinion | Since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and plunged the world into an economic war alongside it, the Russian president has had three asks of his Chinese...
Russia Faces Declining Numbers of Schoolchildren. What Did the Kremlin Expect?
Opinion | The most horrifying story I have ever heard is that of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, who first lured all the rats out of the city by playing his magic pipe.
Russian Political Prisoner Dies in Belarusian Jail
A Russian man serving a prison sentence in Belarus on what government critics call politically motivated charges has died, the rights group Viasna said Monday.
Putin’s Supreme Court Pick Heralds Further State Appropriation of Assets
Opinion | President Vladimir Putin looks set to appoint Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov as head of Russia’s Supreme Court following the death of Chief Justice Irina Podnosova on July 22. As is...
For Russian Asylum Seekers, the United States Is Not the Land of the Free
Opinion | Leonid Melekhin, a political activist from Perm, Russia, applied for asylum in the United States in August 2024. In December, his application was rejected due to a lack of “well-founded...
Putin’s Shanghai Bond Bonanza Is a Pipe Dream
Opinion | Russian President Vladimir Putin strutted into this week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit vowing to free the world from “financial neo-colonialism.” His remedy?
In the Donbas ‘Fortress,’ Ukraine’s Soldiers Refuse to Yield
DONETSK REGION, Ukraine — On the salty shore of Sloviansk, Sasha, a 22-year-old soldier from Kherson, sips a beer and drags on a cigarette.
Russia Sees Milder Wildfire Season So Far in 2025, but Experts Warn Against Complacency
Russia’s wildfire season has been less intense this year, with blazes so far burning significantly less land than in 2024, though experts warn that the apparent improvement could foster dangerous...
Everything You Need to Know About Max, Russia’s State-Backed Answer to WhatsApp
Russia's latest attempt to build a sovereign digital ecosystem is moving into high gear.
From War Surge to Slump: Is the Russian Economy Heading Toward Recession?
The Russian economy has been teetering on the brink of recession for months as financial authorities take actions to slow growth in a bid to avoid runaway inflation.
Russia Risks Arctic Environmental Disaster in Pursuit of Profit and Power
Opinion | As climate change accelerates, the once distant and frozen Arctic is transforming into a controversial industrial frontier.
Russia Has 1,500 Political Prisoners. Their Art Is Now on Display in Europe.
At least 1,500 people are imprisoned in Russia for political reasons.
Krasnodar Drought Inflicts Nearly $600M in Crop Losses, Agribusiness Group Says
An ongoing drought in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region has caused around 46 billion rubles ($572 million) in agricultural losses so far this summer, the head of a local agribusiness lobby said...
Rising Costs and Tighter Rules Push Russians Out of Turkey – Izvestia
The number of Russians living in Turkey has nearly halved over the past two years, falling from 154,000 in 2023 to about 85,000 in 2025, the pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia reported Monday, citing...
Babel Books: The Berlin Bookstore Building Community for Russian Speakers
Natalia Smirnova, the founder of the Russian-language bookstore Babel in Berlin, has been connected to literature since she started working in publishing in the early 2000s.
A Letter to Those Who Can Save Political Prisoners in Russia
Opinion | Today, on the eve of the anniversary of our release on August 1, when I, along with other Russian political prisoners and foreign nationals, was freed from prison, I want to say THANK YOU!
‘My Homeland Is a Country Within a Country’: Avar Activist Zarema Gasanova
Zarema Gasanova, an Indigenous Avar from the republic of Dagestan, was working as a nurse in a St.
Russia Targets Emigres in Kazakhstan With Back Tax Demands
Russia has started requiring its citizens living in Kazakhstan to pay back taxes as it grapples with a steep budget deficit and shrinking tax revenues, the Vedomosti business daily reported Monday.
Russians Report Nighttime Police Raids in Azerbaijan as Tensions Flare
Russian citizens living in Azerbaijan have reported violent nighttime police raids amid a growing diplomatic rift between Moscow and Baku, according to Kovcheg, an exiled nonprofit that provides...
Fatima Suleymanova: 'Europeans Have Far More in Common With Chechens Than With Russians'
Activist Fatima Suleymanova is one of the most visible millennial Chechen women in modern-day politics. As a representative of the Chechen national independence movement United Force, Suleymanova...
‘We Need to Recognize Russia’s Colonial Violence’: Buryat Illustrator Seseg Jigjitova
Seseg Jigjitova, a Berlin-based illustrator from the Siberian republic of Buryatia, has emerged as a prominent critic of Russian colonialism and advocate for the rights of Buryats amid Russia’s...
‘Unusually Public Crisis’: How a Plane Crash Is Driving Russia and Azerbaijan Apart
Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, whose leaders once showcased their exceptionally friendly relationship, have been deteriorating since the Dec. 25 crash of an Azerbaijani plane headed for...