https://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion The Moscow Times offers everything you need to know about Russia: Breaking news, top stories, business, analysis, opinion, multimedia en-us Fri, 23 Oct 2026 20:41:12 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/23/the-digital-ruble-gives-the-kremlin-a-kill-switch-for-dissent-a94057 Russians should be concerned about the power the Central Bank's new digital ruble would give the state over their finances. Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:47:05 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/23/the-digital-ruble-gives-the-kremlin-a-kill-switch-for-dissent-a94057 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/22/what-is-russia-trying-to-achieve-by-arresting-a-japanese-journalist-a94048 Russia has a history of arresting foreign journalists as a political gambit — and the relationship between Moscow and Tokyo is rarely simple. Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/22/what-is-russia-trying-to-achieve-by-arresting-a-japanese-journalist-a94048 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/21/kazakhstans-antiwar-orthodox-priests-remain-under-russias-thumb-some-are-paying-the-price-a94028 The story of Father Yakov shows the consequences of Kazakhstan not having an Orthodox Church independent of the Moscow Patriarchate. Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:47:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/21/kazakhstans-antiwar-orthodox-priests-remain-under-russias-thumb-some-are-paying-the-price-a94028 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/19/russias-opposition-urgently-needs-to-take-sexism-seriously-a94024 Women should be given a voice and taken seriously, not brushed aside as if the only problem the opposition faces is that Putin is in power. Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:49:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/19/russias-opposition-urgently-needs-to-take-sexism-seriously-a94024 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/16/to-the-west-rich-russians-can-plead-powerlessness-everyone-else-must-prove-their-courage-a94004 If a billionaire can say he has little ability to influence Putin, how are Russians with no access to power supposed to do so? Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:38:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/16/to-the-west-rich-russians-can-plead-powerlessness-everyone-else-must-prove-their-courage-a94004 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/15/from-wildberries-to-yandex-ukraine-is-turning-russian-business-giants-dominance-into-a-liability-a93976 Key Russian firms become so powerful that nobody else truly rivals them. That creates a weakness that Kyiv is all too happy to exploit. Thu, 15 Oct 2026 18:33:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/15/from-wildberries-to-yandex-ukraine-is-turning-russian-business-giants-dominance-into-a-liability-a93976 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/13/plague-research-isnt-the-problem-but-russia-still-has-questions-to-answer-a93959 The death of a laboratory worker in Irkutsk has turned the spotlight on how Russian laboratories can ensure workers' safety and earn public trust. Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:33:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/13/plague-research-isnt-the-problem-but-russia-still-has-questions-to-answer-a93959 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/12/trumps-russian-diesel-debacle-risks-backfiring-a93950 Driven more by domestic political concerns than any real strategy to end the war, Washington's latest moves shows how little Trump has learned. Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:34:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/12/trumps-russian-diesel-debacle-risks-backfiring-a93950 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/fear-and-distrust-are-the-real-russian-plague-a93933 After years of official secrecy, it’s no surprise that a suspected plague case has left Russians unsure what to believe about risks to their health. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 19:46:12 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/fear-and-distrust-are-the-real-russian-plague-a93933 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/why-i-left-russia-the-same-day-i-was-released-from-detention-a93935 The founder of The St. Petersburg Times recounts how he fled Russia after being fined for donating $40 to Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation. Fri, 09 Oct 2026 17:58:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/09/why-i-left-russia-the-same-day-i-was-released-from-detention-a93935 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/afraid-of-mobilization-many-russians-are-still-preparing-for-the-worst-the-west-should-help-a93911 Every Russian who escapes mobilization, covert or otherwise, is one more Russian who is not fighting in Ukraine. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:41:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/07/afraid-of-mobilization-many-russians-are-still-preparing-for-the-worst-the-west-should-help-a93911 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/are-russian-gray-ops-the-new-war-on-terror-a93888 Russia poses a real threat to Western security. But treating every incident with the same weight risks distorting the threat and helping Moscow. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:36:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/06/are-russian-gray-ops-the-new-war-on-terror-a93888 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/the-kremlins-election-fraud-works-because-thousands-are-complicit-a93869 The primitive election rigging of the 2000s and 2010s has become an embedded system built on the compliance and desensitization of thousands. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:42:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/10/05/the-kremlins-election-fraud-works-because-thousands-are-complicit-a93869 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/30/russias-war-veterans-pose-a-threat-to-the-kremlin-so-putin-is-bringing-them-onside-a93827 History shows that discontent among veterans is politically dangerous. The Kremlin thinks easing their entry into politics could prevent that problem. Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:59:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/30/russias-war-veterans-pose-a-threat-to-the-kremlin-so-putin-is-bringing-them-onside-a93827 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/29/something-strange-is-happening-with-russian-romantasy-a93813 Women all over the world are devouring stories involving sexy, powerful men. In Russia, women have developed an appetite for generals and commanders. Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:25:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/29/something-strange-is-happening-with-russian-romantasy-a93813 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/28/moscows-audacious-asset-grab-is-a-warning-to-western-companies-a93802 The seizure of Auchan and Nestlé is an unmistakable signal that even playing by the rules won't protect you from nationalization in Russia. Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:34:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/28/moscows-audacious-asset-grab-is-a-warning-to-western-companies-a93802 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/25/heres-how-we-know-russias-elections-were-fixed-a93792 The official data shows how the results of this year's election were manipulated — and the lack of imagination of the people doing the manipulating. Fri, 25 Sep 2026 22:31:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/25/heres-how-we-know-russias-elections-were-fixed-a93792 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/24/i-just-bought-a-loaf-of-bread-am-i-complicit-in-the-kremlins-actions-a93787 A Russian considers whether their compatriots are to blame for enabling Moscow's military actions through the taxes they pay into the budget. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:54:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/24/i-just-bought-a-loaf-of-bread-am-i-complicit-in-the-kremlins-actions-a93787 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/23/russia-is-down-but-not-out-in-armenia-a93775 Armenia may be looking West, but the Kremlin still has tools up its sleeve to punish Yerevan's political realignment. Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/23/russia-is-down-but-not-out-in-armenia-a93775 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/22/if-russias-opposition-wants-change-they-must-change-themselves-a93766 The strategy put forward by Russia's opposition in this year's elections shows that they still have no plan for building a better future. Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:04:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/22/if-russias-opposition-wants-change-they-must-change-themselves-a93766 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/21/russias-green-party-helps-putin-more-than-the-environment-a93756 Russians tempted to vote for a party that styles itself on eco-activism would be in for a shock — not that the Greens ever stood a chance. Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:45:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/21/russias-green-party-helps-putin-more-than-the-environment-a93756 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/18/russia-has-a-labor-shortage-so-why-cant-anyone-find-a-job-a93713 Russia’s official unemployment rate of 2.3% should indicate a severe shortage of workers. But workers themselves tell a different story. Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:34:16 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/18/russia-has-a-labor-shortage-so-why-cant-anyone-find-a-job-a93713 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/17/russian-businessmans-wedding-gift-shows-that-moscow-hasnt-given-up-on-a-trump-backchannel-a93735 What is most astonishing is that the Kremlin actually believed that Umar Kremlev's bankrolling of Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding would pay off. Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:14:36 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/17/russian-businessmans-wedding-gift-shows-that-moscow-hasnt-given-up-on-a-trump-backchannel-a93735 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/16/im-proud-that-we-published-the-syutkins-columns-a93721 The Moscow Times’ publisher explains how a leading ambassador for Russian cuisine became an enemy of the Russian state. Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:17:47 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/16/im-proud-that-we-published-the-syutkins-columns-a93721 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/15/my-case-is-unquestionably-political-russian-culinary-historian-pavel-syutkin-on-his-prosecution-a93716 Syutkin, a longtime food columnist for The Moscow Times, describes the criminal case against him in his own words. Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:38:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/15/my-case-is-unquestionably-political-russian-culinary-historian-pavel-syutkin-on-his-prosecution-a93716 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/14/russias-opposition-wants-you-to-vote-against-united-russia-thats-where-its-strategy-ends-a93704 Building lasting political power takes more than telling people which box to check on the ballot. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:18:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/14/russias-opposition-wants-you-to-vote-against-united-russia-thats-where-its-strategy-ends-a93704 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/11/putin-does-not-need-an-economic-revolution-yet-a93687 Despite mounting economic pressure, a radical shift to a “mobilization economy” is less likely than it may seem. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:43:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/11/putin-does-not-need-an-economic-revolution-yet-a93687 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/10/belgiums-golden-goose-is-keeping-billions-from-ukraine-a93661 Europe can use Russia’s frozen billions to fund Ukraine without seizing them. So why hasn’t it? Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:09:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/10/belgiums-golden-goose-is-keeping-billions-from-ukraine-a93661 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/09/vostok-oils-first-tanker-cannot-conceal-rosnefts-empty-promises-a93665 Putin touts Vostok Oil as one of the world’s largest oil projects. After years of broken promises from Rosneft, the numbers still don’t add up. Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:14:57 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/09/vostok-oils-first-tanker-cannot-conceal-rosnefts-empty-promises-a93665 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-echr-has-abandoned-russians-who-are-victims-of-their-own-government-a93639 The ECHR's decision to scrap almost 900 cases brought by Russians against their government will enable human rights abusers globally. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:56:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-echr-has-abandoned-russians-who-are-victims-of-their-own-government-a93639 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-tate-brothers-have-a-russia-problem-they-could-be-in-big-trouble-a93632 The Tate brothers’ Russia trip has officials wondering where pro-Kremlin speech ends and undeclared foreign influence begins. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:15:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/04/the-tate-brothers-have-a-russia-problem-they-could-be-in-big-trouble-a93632 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/01/how-russia-developed-the-first-killer-ai-drone-despite-struggling-in-the-ai-race-a93618 Russian AI has little chance of overtaking China or the United States. But the Russian tech community is changing the nature of war. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:45:52 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/01/how-russia-developed-the-first-killer-ai-drone-despite-struggling-in-the-ai-race-a93618 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/31/russias-economic-doomsayers-were-wrong-so-were-the-optimists-a93608 Neither Kremlin loyalists nor independent analysts consistently saw what was coming. The question is what they make of what comes next. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:32:48 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/31/russias-economic-doomsayers-were-wrong-so-were-the-optimists-a93608 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/for-russians-in-exile-germanys-new-intelligence-hotline-is-worth-using-a93587 Russians have learned not to trust the security services. But we should accept this offer of help to combat transnational repression. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:09:38 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/for-russians-in-exile-germanys-new-intelligence-hotline-is-worth-using-a93587 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/theres-a-better-way-to-measure-how-much-russians-support-putin-a93558 Most polls just measure the ability of Russians to pick the safest answer. But when questions are more open-ended, they are more skeptical. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:16:54 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/theres-a-better-way-to-measure-how-much-russians-support-putin-a93558 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/20/tear-down-the-wall-of-silence-around-negotiations-to-end-russia-ukraine-war-a93533 Confidentiality often helps diplomacy. But it also protects the parties from accountability rather than the talks from disruption. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:01:59 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/20/tear-down-the-wall-of-silence-around-negotiations-to-end-russia-ukraine-war-a93533 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/17/putin-revealed-his-true-intentions-with-japan-by-visiting-disputed-islands-a93511 The Russian president's visit to the Kuril Islands is a strategic blunder in Moscow's rarely straightforward relationship with Tokyo. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:55:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/17/putin-revealed-his-true-intentions-with-japan-by-visiting-disputed-islands-a93511 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/what-did-russias-opposition-do-when-yabloko-was-thrown-off-the-ballot-keep-fighting-itself-a93478 The exclusion of the anti-war Yabloko party from State Duma elections has become yet another catalyst for infighting among Russia's opposition. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 19:57:03 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/what-did-russias-opposition-do-when-yabloko-was-thrown-off-the-ballot-keep-fighting-itself-a93478 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/how-russias-obsession-with-economic-stability-made-it-weaker-a93482 For decades, Western observers thought Russia's economy was going from strength to strength. But it was creating its own weaknesses. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:02:12 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/how-russias-obsession-with-economic-stability-made-it-weaker-a93482 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/soviet-dissidents-understood-what-russias-exiled-opposition-has-forgotten-a93458 Russia's opposition appear uncomfortable with what defeating Russia and supporting Ukraine would mean. Their Soviet predecessors were more clear-eyed. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:08:12 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/soviet-dissidents-understood-what-russias-exiled-opposition-has-forgotten-a93458 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russias-state-duma-elections-are-for-show-but-theyre-still-worth-paying-attention-to-a93448 It's tempting to dismiss the need to pay attention to the elections this September. But if they weren't important, the Kremlin wouldn't hold them. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:41:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russias-state-duma-elections-are-for-show-but-theyre-still-worth-paying-attention-to-a93448 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/russias-exiled-opposition-wants-whats-best-for-europe-its-a-better-future-for-russia-too-a93435 If Europe wants to remain secure when Putin is gone, it needs to think about the very Russians it is building walls to keep out. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/russias-exiled-opposition-wants-whats-best-for-europe-its-a-better-future-for-russia-too-a93435 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/06/ukraine-cant-bomb-russians-into-opposing-putin-a93432 History shows that countries under attack are more likely to be galvanized than demoralized. That appears to be happening in Russia today. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:44:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/06/ukraine-cant-bomb-russians-into-opposing-putin-a93432 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/05/tokayevs-warning-to-putin-was-about-more-than-ukraine-a93420 Kazakhstan tries to balance relations with Russia and other major powers. But the economic risk of the war meant the president had to speak out. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:44:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/05/tokayevs-warning-to-putin-was-about-more-than-ukraine-a93420 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/04/spider-man-shows-the-folly-of-ukraines-cultural-boycott-a93408 Art is supposed to unite people. But even three seconds of music from a famously anti-war Russian singer was too much for Ukraine. Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:49:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/04/spider-man-shows-the-folly-of-ukraines-cultural-boycott-a93408 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/03/putin-can-learn-3-big-lessons-from-world-war-one-a93402 The war in Ukraine is often compared to the trenches and desolate landscapes of World War I. But there are political parallels, as well. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:32:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/03/putin-can-learn-3-big-lessons-from-world-war-one-a93402 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/31/when-corporate-culture-works-in-memory-of-derk-sauer-a93384 The Moscow Times' survival is primarily thanks to the professionalism and corporate culture that Derk fostered, publisher Alexander Gubsky writes. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:53:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/31/when-corporate-culture-works-in-memory-of-derk-sauer-a93384 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/30/when-us-russia-cooperation-worked-and-why-its-collapse-still-matters-a93377 Russian and American law enforcement regularly worked together to solve serious crimes. Without cooperation, instability will continue. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:38:55 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/30/when-us-russia-cooperation-worked-and-why-its-collapse-still-matters-a93377 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/29/where-can-russia-find-more-money-for-war-a93371 Economists in Russia said on condition of anonymity that banks can only keep up their staring contest with the Finance Ministry for so long. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:04:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/29/where-can-russia-find-more-money-for-war-a93371 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/28/russian-propaganda-is-getting-worse-as-the-war-drags-on-a93358 Propagandists are out of ideas for how to convince Russians to fight for victory when their skies are filled with smoke from drone strikes. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:07:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/28/russian-propaganda-is-getting-worse-as-the-war-drags-on-a93358