The Moscow Times

Support The Moscow Times!

Contribute today

TENSIONS RISING

Biden’s Sanctions Threats ‘Destabilizing,’ Kremlin Says

Biden on Wednesday threatened a host of “severe economic consequences” for Moscow in case of military action in Ukraine.

Covid Cases Hit Record Highs in Moscow and St. Petersburg

Russia is in the midst of a fifth coronavirus wave fueled by the Omicron variant.

‘SEVERE CONSEQUENCES’

Biden Threatens Dollar Ban on Russian Banks

The U.S. said it could block Russian financial institutions from trading in dollars if Moscow invades Ukraine.

russia's response

LIVE | Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Jan. 20

Omicron fears. Covid passes. Vaccination push.

more news

10,938,261 Total Confirmed Cases

663,868 Total Active Cases

38,850 Today's Cases

9,950,333 Total Recovered

2,300 Total Critical

684 Today's Deaths

324,060 Total Deaths

74,903 Cases per Million

2,219 Deaths per Million

API: Open Disease Data API

SLOWLY DISAPPEARING

As Caucasian Glaciers Melt, Locals Face the Future With Stoicism

Caucasian glaciers have lost a quarter of their surface area to climate change since the millennium.

'new stability order'

France’s Macron Calls for EU-Russia Security Pact in Break With U.S. Calls for Unity

The U.S. has repeatedly insisted on a unified Western front in its standoff with Russia over its buildup near Ukraine.

prehistoric party

Bronze Age Tubes Found in Russia May Be Earliest Beer-Drinking Straws – Researchers

The intricate tubes once believed to be “scepters” may have actually been used for communal beer drinking.

ANSWERS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

As the Dust Settles on Kazakhstan’s Unrest, Reports of Torture and Violence Surface

Activists are trying to determine the full extent of the crackdown during anti-government protests that rocked the Central Asian nation.

ramping tensions

Russia-Ukraine Standoff – Daily Briefing | Jan. 19

The latest developments you need to know.

Combatting the contagion

Russia Fights Coronavirus

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Jan. 20

Australia Recognizes Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine for Incoming Travelers

Russia Delays Legislation on Coronavirus Health Passes

Russia’s Excess Death Toll Hits 930K

opinion Kirill Martynov

How Alexei Navalny’s Jailing Changed Russia

opinion Neil Hauer

Will Turkey and Armenia Reach a Compromise?

opinion Michele A. Berdy

How Don't I Care? Let Me Count The Ways

opinion Nigel Gould-Davies

Western Diplomacy on Russia Must Serve Deterrence

opinion Mark Galeotti

Russia and West Continue to Talk, But Not Necessarily in the Same Language

opinion Alexander Gabuev

Turmoil in Kazakhstan Heralds the End of the Nazarbayev Era

more opinion

prehistoric party

Bronze Age Tubes Found in Russia May Be Earliest Beer-Drinking Straws – Researchers

Moscow Zoo Welcomes Baby Yak

curb your enthusiasm

No Laughing at Weddings, Russian Region Says

four-legged firefighter

Stray Cat Joins Russian Fire Department

More meanwhile in russia

‘SEVERE CONSEQUENCES’

Biden Threatens Dollar Ban on Russian Banks

The U.S. said it could block Russian financial institutions from trading in dollars if Moscow invades Ukraine.

Investors Continue to Ditch Russian Assets Amid War Fears

Russia’s largest companies have lost more than $100 billion in value over the last week.

Russian Ruble, Stocks, Slide as Security Talks Fall Flat

Russian officials have said they see no point in returning to the negotiating table any time soon.

'breakdown in relations'

Sanctions on Putin Would be Step Too Far, Kremlin Warns U.S.

Moscow has hit back at Washington's proposed sanctions package if Russia invades Ukraine.

read more

dark yet danceable

Molchat Doma: The Best Band You've Never Heard Of

This three-man band has been topping streaming charts and inspiring - oddly, in their view - a TikTok following.

what's cooler than being cool?

Russians Brave the Ice in Annual Epiphany Swim

Thousands of Russians, religious or not, are taking a dip in sub-zero waters — wearing only their bathing suits.

winter wonderland

Snow and Ice Festival Lights Up Moscow Riverside

Enormous creatures and people sculpted from snow and ice have appeared along the Moscow River in Gorky Park as part of the "Snow and Ice" festival.
Carved...

Moscow treasure

Architectural Treasures of Moscow: St. Basil's Cathedral

A photographic tour inside the cathedral, revealing its beauty and secrets.

weekend kitchen

Ring in the Old New Year With a Jewel-Studded Dish

Our favorite chef is worried about our health, so she suggests starting the new year with beets, pomegranate and wild rice.

More Arts and Life

SLOWLY DISAPPEARING

As Caucasian Glaciers Melt, Locals Face the Future With Stoicism

Caucasian glaciers have lost a quarter of their surface area to climate change since the millennium.

Russia’s Climate Epiphany May Be Greenwashing

Russia’s about-face toward climate change in 2021 may be little more than window dressing to protect its industrial giants, experts fear.

New Arctic Temperature Record Sounds Climate Alarm – UN

The World Meteorological Organization said a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius in the town of Verkhoyansk was the highest-ever in the region.

Russia Defends Veto of UN Climate Change Resolution

Diplomats said Russia's opposition was hard to understand given that the resolution itself "was not radical."

read more

opinion Alexander Gabuev

Turmoil in Kazakhstan Heralds the End of the Nazarbayev Era

The protests in Kazakhstan have shown that the current model of governance has angered millions of people who missed out when the resources pie was shared...

2022 Look Ahead

Foreign Policy Experts Map Russia's Plans for 2022

The Moscow Times asked 10 commentators for their predictions for the coming year.

opinion Mark Kramer

The Derailment of Memorial’s Goals – for Now

Putin’s efforts to curtail scrutiny of the Stalin era may succeed in the short term, but Memorial's work can't be erased from the historical record.

opinion Dmitry Trenin

Russia-India: From Rethink to Adjust to Upgrade

Russia needs to decide what it wants from the Indian connection.