https://www.themoscowtimes.com/news The Moscow Times offers everything you need to know about Russia: Breaking news, top stories, business, analysis, opinion, multimedia en-us Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:39:17 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/montenegro-arrests-founder-of-influential-russian-pro-war-blog-rybar-a93929 Mikhail Zvinchuk and four others had been detained earlier in an operation targeting suspected Russian influence activities. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 19:05:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/montenegro-arrests-founder-of-influential-russian-pro-war-blog-rybar-a93929 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/in-russian-occupied-oleshky-civilians-struggle-to-survive-as-hunger-deepens-a93909 With roads mined and supplies dwindling, civilians in the occupied Ukrainian town are risking their lives to find food or escape. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 18:54:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/in-russian-occupied-oleshky-civilians-struggle-to-survive-as-hunger-deepens-a93909 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/st-petersburg-court-fines-yabloko-leader-12-for-writing-peace-slogans-on-ballot-a93934 Rybakov had written four party slogans on his ballots: “For Peace,” “For Freedom,” “For a Life Without Fear” and “For a Ceasefire Agreement.” Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:55:09 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/st-petersburg-court-fines-yabloko-leader-12-for-writing-peace-slogans-on-ballot-a93934 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/rosneft-recruits-anti-aircraft-gun-crews-to-defend-samara-refinery-against-ukrainian-drones-vyorstka-a93932 The Kuibyshev refinery, on the Volga River, has been repeatedly targeted since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:09:09 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/rosneft-recruits-anti-aircraft-gun-crews-to-defend-samara-refinery-against-ukrainian-drones-vyorstka-a93932 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/ukraine-drones-hit-second-yandex-data-center-in-two-days-a93927 The Kaluga region governor said nine people were injured and infrastructure was damaged by Ukrainian drones. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:35:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/ukraine-drones-hit-second-yandex-data-center-in-two-days-a93927 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/former-german-chancellor-schroeder-celebrates-putins-birthday-at-presidents-home-a93928 Schroeder, who served as chancellor from 1998 to 2005, recently joined the supervisory board of Russian supermarket chain Hyperglobus. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/former-german-chancellor-schroeder-celebrates-putins-birthday-at-presidents-home-a93928 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/oil-slick-expands-near-sochi-after-tanker-fire-greenpeace-says-a93918 Authorities said tests found no oil contamination following a drone attack ignited a major blaze on an oil tanker. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/oil-slick-expands-near-sochi-after-tanker-fire-greenpeace-says-a93918 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/moscow-region-man-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-attack-a93924 The incident occurred in the Klimovsk neighborhood of Podolsk, roughly 25 miles south of Moscow. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:04:49 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/moscow-region-man-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-attack-a93924 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/russia-says-checks-following-siberian-plague-lab-death-are-complete-a93926 Despite the statement, authorities have yet to say definitively whether the death of lab worker Darya Shipilova could have been caused by plague. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:00:44 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/russia-says-checks-following-siberian-plague-lab-death-are-complete-a93926 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/russian-liberal-politician-jailed-for-4-years-over-donation-to-navalny-group-a93925 Elena Perepelitsa is the third Yabloko member to be jailed in less than four months. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:52:56 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/russian-liberal-politician-jailed-for-4-years-over-donation-to-navalny-group-a93925 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/how-digital-oblivion-is-helping-russia-rewrite-the-past-a93923 The loss of online records — a process that researchers call “digital oblivion” — is contributing to public “amnesia” about key events that autocrats find unhelpful.   Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:49:23 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/how-digital-oblivion-is-helping-russia-rewrite-the-past-a93923 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/uk-expands-sanctions-to-cover-90-of-russian-oil-output-shadow-fleet-and-finance-networks-a93922 The sanctions come on the heels of the EU approving another sanctions package Wednesday. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:07:40 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/uk-expands-sanctions-to-cover-90-of-russian-oil-output-shadow-fleet-and-finance-networks-a93922 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/ukrainian-drones-hit-yandex-data-center-after-wave-of-russian-attacks-a93915 The attack marks the first confirmed strike against Russian data infrastructure, weeks after Moscow did the same. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:30:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/ukrainian-drones-hit-yandex-data-center-after-wave-of-russian-attacks-a93915 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/lithuania-deploys-army-to-kaliningrad-border-after-belarus-latvia-breach-a93920 Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said around 100 soldiers would help guard the Lithuanian-Russian border over the next two weeks. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:34:51 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/lithuania-deploys-army-to-kaliningrad-border-after-belarus-latvia-breach-a93920 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/regions-calling-in-irkutsk-locals-ask-what-plague-a93886 For residents of Irkutsk, news of the death of a lab worker at a plague research institute is just “background noise.” Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:59:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/regions-calling-in-irkutsk-locals-ask-what-plague-a93886 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/eu-lifts-belarus-related-sanctions-on-russian-billionaire-gutseriev-a93919 The billionaire remains subject to separate EU sanctions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:46:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/eu-lifts-belarus-related-sanctions-on-russian-billionaire-gutseriev-a93919 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/us-and-russia-explore-nord-stream-restart-sources-say-a93916 A spokeswoman for Germany's economy and energy ministry pushed back, saying Nord Stream and Russian gas were sanctioned in Europe. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:27:22 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/us-and-russia-explore-nord-stream-restart-sources-say-a93916 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/ye-earned-20m-from-canceled-st-petersburg-gigs-kommersant-reports-a93917 Originally scheduled for Oct. 10-11 at Gazprom Arena, Ye’s shows were canceled late last month. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:09:43 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/08/ye-earned-20m-from-canceled-st-petersburg-gigs-kommersant-reports-a93917 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/denmark-says-russia-has-conducted-sabotage-attacks-against-its-defense-firms-a93914 The shift reflects a significant escalation in Moscow's hybrid warfare campaign, Josefine Christensen, lead analyst at the Danish national security and intelligence service said. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 20:15:39 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/denmark-says-russia-has-conducted-sabotage-attacks-against-its-defense-firms-a93914 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/years-after-his-death-vladimir-zhirinovsky-lives-rent-free-in-russians-heads-a93903 The late far-right firebrand remains a fixture in the public consciousness as a political prophet. And his popularity is only growing. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:51:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/years-after-his-death-vladimir-zhirinovsky-lives-rent-free-in-russians-heads-a93903 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/eu-approves-record-sanctions-expansion-targeting-16k-russian-citizens-and-entities-a93913 The agreement will bring the total number of people and entities under EU sanctions over the war to nearly 4,650. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:21:52 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/eu-approves-record-sanctions-expansion-targeting-16k-russian-citizens-and-entities-a93913 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/latvia-moves-to-expel-russian-journalist-leonid-ragozin-delfi-reports-a93910 Late last month, Latvian Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava said Ragozin's actions could "be regarded as ones aimed at steering Western public opinion in a direction favorable to Russia." Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:33:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/latvia-moves-to-expel-russian-journalist-leonid-ragozin-delfi-reports-a93910 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/russian-who-swam-to-lithuania-to-seek-asylum-gets-6-years-in-russian-prison-after-return-a93912 The man, identified as 68-year-old Igor Odintsov, said he faced persecution in Russia over his social media posts. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:29:38 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/russian-who-swam-to-lithuania-to-seek-asylum-gets-6-years-in-russian-prison-after-return-a93912 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/rosatom-takes-full-control-of-delo-group-in-900m-buyout-a93906 The deal reportedly brings Rosatom’s market share in Russia’s container handling market to 50% and rail container transport to 44%. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:33:32 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/rosatom-takes-full-control-of-delo-group-in-900m-buyout-a93906 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/kremlin-says-frances-test-nuclear-launch-is-part-of-dead-end-anti-russia-strategy-a93907 Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had received France's message and that it was an example of what he called Europe's obsession with militarization. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:45:33 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/kremlin-says-frances-test-nuclear-launch-is-part-of-dead-end-anti-russia-strategy-a93907 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/northern-russias-yamalo-nenets-offers-1m-ruble-bounty-for-downed-drones-a93905 It is reportedly the highest publicly recorded bounty offered by any Russian region for downing Ukrainian drones. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:12:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/northern-russias-yamalo-nenets-offers-1m-ruble-bounty-for-downed-drones-a93905 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/second-prison-guard-dead-after-failed-inmate-escape-attempt-in-north-caucasus-a93902 The incident took place on a prisoner transport train last week. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:20:59 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/second-prison-guard-dead-after-failed-inmate-escape-attempt-in-north-caucasus-a93902 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/us-embassy-urges-citizens-to-leave-russia-over-siberian-plague-suspicions-a93899 Public health officials insist there is no active public health crisis, and the WHO says that no cases have been recorded in Irkutsk. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:17:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/us-embassy-urges-citizens-to-leave-russia-over-siberian-plague-suspicions-a93899 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/kim-jong-un-wishes-putin-victory-and-glory-on-his-74th-birthday-a93904 The North Korean leader pledged to keep expanding the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, describing Russia as a “brotherly” nation. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:14:48 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/kim-jong-un-wishes-putin-victory-and-glory-on-his-74th-birthday-a93904 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/sochi-closes-beaches-after-drone-attack-sets-oil-tanker-ablaze-a93900 Transportation Minister Andrei Nikitin said the oil-laden tanker had been attacked by unmanned boats. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:05:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/sochi-closes-beaches-after-drone-attack-sets-oil-tanker-ablaze-a93900 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/russia-drops-criminal-case-against-childrens-hospice-founder-lida-moniava-a93898 Moniava had been charged with spreading “false information” about Russia’s army for a post about Ukrainian civilians killed in Russian attacks. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:49:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/russia-drops-criminal-case-against-childrens-hospice-founder-lida-moniava-a93898 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/at-least-24-killed-in-ukraine-zelensky-condemns-one-of-russias-most-vile-strikes-a93901 The strikes come as Russia and Ukraine have each promised to ratchet up attacks on the other. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:37:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/at-least-24-killed-in-ukraine-zelensky-condemns-one-of-russias-most-vile-strikes-a93901 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/putin-orders-priority-rail-transit-for-russian-grain-kommersant-a93896 Despite the workarounds, market analysts warn that Baltic and Arctic ports lack the storage capacity and specialized infrastructure needed. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:53:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/putin-orders-priority-rail-transit-for-russian-grain-kommersant-a93896 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/russia-investigates-contaminated-dog-vaccine-linked-to-mass-pet-deaths-a93892 Authorities say that samples from a batch of the vaccine contained live Aujeszky’s disease virus, which is almost universally fatal to domestic dogs. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:53:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/russia-investigates-contaminated-dog-vaccine-linked-to-mass-pet-deaths-a93892 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/kremlin-launches-preparations-for-putins-annual-direct-line-call-in-show-a93893 First launched in 2001, Putin’s call-in program aims to cast the Russian leader as a “problem-solver-in-chief.” Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:27:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/kremlin-launches-preparations-for-putins-annual-direct-line-call-in-show-a93893 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/russians-in-ice-detention-plan-hunger-strike-to-protest-poor-conditions-a93894 Detainees described issues including a lack of adequate medical and dental care, disparaging attitudes from staff and poor living conditions. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:36:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/russians-in-ice-detention-plan-hunger-strike-to-protest-poor-conditions-a93894 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/kremlin-warns-lithuania-lifting-nuclear-arms-ban-risks-escalation-a93891 The move comes on the heels of Estonia announcing it was moving its troops closer to the country's border with Russia. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:09:17 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/kremlin-warns-lithuania-lifting-nuclear-arms-ban-risks-escalation-a93891 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/russia-holds-major-nuclear-accident-drill-at-beloyarsk-plant-a93889 The drill is part of an annual program in which different Russian nuclear plants take turns hosting large exercises. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:43:23 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/russia-holds-major-nuclear-accident-drill-at-beloyarsk-plant-a93889 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/patriothead-of-russian-militarys-patriot-park-arrested-in-bribery-probe-a93885 Vasilyev's arrest follows a recent series of detentions targeting executives and military supervisors connected to Patriot Park. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:35:50 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/patriothead-of-russian-militarys-patriot-park-arrested-in-bribery-probe-a93885 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/irkutsk-maternity-hospital-screens-patients-for-plague-after-lab-workers-death-a93887 A local blogger said that staff at the Irkutsk City Perinatal Center gave her a “Checklist for Suspected Plague” when she arrived for an examination. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:31:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/irkutsk-maternity-hospital-screens-patients-for-plague-after-lab-workers-death-a93887 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/2-killed-in-massive-ukrainian-drone-attack-on-moscow-a93884 Exiled outlet Astra also reported that one of the attacks targeted the Moscow region’s largest fuel storage hub. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:33:33 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/2-killed-in-massive-ukrainian-drone-attack-on-moscow-a93884 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/moscow-court-jails-ex-sochi-mayor-for-15-years-in-prison-in-corruption-case-a93881 Alexei Kopaygorodsky served as mayor until May 2024, when he abruptly resigned, citing a transition to a federal post. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:47:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/moscow-court-jails-ex-sochi-mayor-for-15-years-in-prison-in-corruption-case-a93881 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/kremlin-downplays-estonias-troop-shift-to-border-plays-up-russias-intelligence-capabilities-a93882 The comments come in response to the Financial Times detailing Estonia’s strategic pivot toward an “active defense” posture. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:15:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/kremlin-downplays-estonias-troop-shift-to-border-plays-up-russias-intelligence-capabilities-a93882 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/russia-sentences-russia-sentences-masyanya-creator-to-4-years-over-anti-war-cartoon-creator-to-4-years-over-anti-war-cartoon-a93880 Investigators said the show’s 2023 episode “Idoliada” contained calls for Russian servicemen to surrender, desert and disobey their commanders. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 16:46:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/russia-sentences-russia-sentences-masyanya-creator-to-4-years-over-anti-war-cartoon-creator-to-4-years-over-anti-war-cartoon-a93880 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/legendary-tv-hypnotherapist-anatoly-kashpirovsky-dies-at-87-a93876 The famed Soviet-era psychic healer became famous with his televised mass hypnosis sessions during the perestroika and glasnost years. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:46:45 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/legendary-tv-hypnotherapist-anatoly-kashpirovsky-dies-at-87-a93876 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/ovechkin-to-launch-his-own-beer-brand-in-russia-a93877 The NHL star is teaming up with a brewer built from Heineken’s former Russian assets to produce the OVI beer range. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:58:55 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/ovechkin-to-launch-his-own-beer-brand-in-russia-a93877 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/krasnodar-mayor-resigns-after-contentious-tenure-a93875 Naumov’s four-year tenure was marked by local protests and controversies over infrastructure and urban planning decisions. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:12:27 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/krasnodar-mayor-resigns-after-contentious-tenure-a93875 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/officials-seek-to-reassure-public-after-irkutsk-anti-plague-institute-workers-death-a93872 Consumer safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said the lab worker who died last week was diagnosed with “pneumonia of unknown etiology.” Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:09:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/officials-seek-to-reassure-public-after-irkutsk-anti-plague-institute-workers-death-a93872 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/dozens-detained-at-moscow-communist-party-rally-a93870 These were the largest detentions at a Communist Party rally since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:48:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/dozens-detained-at-moscow-communist-party-rally-a93870 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/04/russia-says-it-hit-kyiv-bridge-2-vessels-in-black-sea-a93868 Russia's military said it targeted a route Kyiv used to transport troops and military cargo. Sun, 04 Oct 2026 18:01:08 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/04/russia-says-it-hit-kyiv-bridge-2-vessels-in-black-sea-a93868