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moment of truth

U.S., NATO Reject Russia’s Ukraine Demands, Offer ‘Diplomatic’ Path Forward

Both the U.S. and NATO said they were prepared for any scenario following their responses to Moscow's demands.
Business cooperation

Putin Hails Economic Relationship with Italy in Controversial CEO Meeting

The Russian leader spoke to leading Italian executives despite ratcheting tensions with Europe over Ukraine.
growing urgency

U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Tells Citizens to 'Consider Departing Now'

Washington had earlier authorized the "voluntary" departure of non-essential embassy staff as tensions with Russia run high.
russia's response

LIVE | Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Jan. 26

Omicron surge. Vaccination push. New restrictions.
more news

A Letter to Our Readers

MT Team

Coronavirus Crisis

Coronavirus: With Your Help We Can Continue to Bring You the News You Need

Latest Podcast

Jan. 21, 2022
A Russian Fig is Not a Fig
A short, expression-filled column about a little word that packs a big punch.

MT Feature

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.

Editor's Pick

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.

Coronavirus Cases in Russia

11,315,801 Total Confirmed Cases
887,759 Total Active Cases
74,692 Today's Cases
10,099,937 Total Recovered
2,300 Total Critical
657 Today's Deaths
328,105 Total Deaths
77,488 Cases per Million
2,247 Deaths per Million
Data Sources
API: Open Disease Data API

highlights

ramping tensions

Russia-Ukraine Standoff – Daily Briefing | Jan. 26

The latest developments you need to know.
lights out

‘Total Collapse’: Bishkek Businesses Reel From Massive Central Asian Blackout

The region-wide blackout left Bishkek authorities scrambling to rescue people — and dealt a devastating blow to small businesses.
‘OUR HANDS ARE TIED’

As Markets Crash and War Fears Grow, Russia’s Business Elite Suffers in Silence

Some of the country’s most successful executives are preparing for heavy losses, but unable to speak out or influence events.
hi-tech agriculture

In the World’s Biggest Country, Vertical Farming Gains Ground

Despite Russia’s status as an agricultural superpower, hi-tech, intensive, indoor farming is gaining a foothold.
red card

Russian Football Fans Plan Boycott Over Controversial Fan ID System

The backlash has caught authorities off guard and prompted a response from the Kremlin itself. 
Combatting the contagion

Russia Fights Coronavirus
Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Jan. 26
Russia Halts Orders for Second Covid Vaccine – Vedomosti
Russia Reports Record Covid-19 Cases as Omicron Gains Momentum
Australia Recognizes Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine for Incoming Travelers

opinion

opinion Andrei Kortunov

Is There a Way Out of the Russia-NATO Talks Impasse?

opinion Mark Galeotti

London’s Ukraine Coup Claims Strain Both Belief and Consensus

opinion Michele A. Berdy

A Russian Fig is Not a Fig

opinion Dmitry Trenin

What a Week of Talks Between Russia and the West Revealed

opinion Kirill Martynov

How Alexei Navalny’s Jailing Changed Russia

opinion Neil Hauer

Will Turkey and Armenia Reach a Compromise?

more opinion

Meanwhile in Russia

prehistoric party

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

big baby

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

Business

Business cooperation

Putin Hails Economic Relationship with Italy in Controversial CEO Meeting

The Russian leader spoke to leading Italian executives despite ratcheting tensions with Europe over Ukraine.
SHRINKING FORTUNES

Russian Billionaires Lost $28Bln in Market Sell-Off

Russian assets have been under heavy pressure amid the ongoing standoff over Ukraine.
‘OUR HANDS ARE TIED’

As Markets Crash and War Fears Grow, Russia’s Business Elite Suffers in Silence

Some of the country’s most successful executives are preparing for heavy losses, but unable to speak out or influence events.
hi-tech agriculture

In the World’s Biggest Country, Vertical Farming Gains Ground

Despite Russia’s status as an agricultural superpower, hi-tech, intensive, indoor farming is gaining a foothold.
read more

arts and life

fashion forward

St. Petersburg Fashion Concierge Makes Dreams Come True

Need a new image? Need a wardrobe overhaul? Or do you just love haute couture? We've got the fashion guide for you.
weekend kitchen

Indulge in Karlsson's Plyushki

Flash back to childhood or discover adult delights with these classic mid-century sweet pastry treats.
The MT List.

What's On in Moscow Jan. 21-23

Heavenly music, retro metro, somber remembrance and more this weekend and coming week in the Russian capital
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

A Brotherhood of Bears Flourishes Despite Russia’s Anti-LGBT Agenda

The BEARsBURG society brings together men who reject effeminate stereotypes of queerness for trips to the banya, café meet-ups, walking tours and film...
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.
More Arts and Life

Climate

hi-tech agriculture

In the World’s Biggest Country, Vertical Farming Gains Ground

Despite Russia’s status as an agricultural superpower, hi-tech, intensive, indoor farming is gaining a foothold.
Close Call

Major Disaster Averted in Icy Kara Sea After Two Oil Barges Ran Aground

Russia’s Marine Rescue Service have described an unprecedented salvage operation as "extremely difficult" after two oil barges ran aground in the Kara...
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.
2021 in review

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. 
read more

In-Depth

opinion Dmitry Trenin

What a Week of Talks Between Russia and the West Revealed

If Russia cannot achieve its strategic goals by diplomatic means, it will resort to other methods.
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.
more in-depth