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What Scenarios Might Emerge in Ukraine?

Experts believe full-scale invasion of Ukraine is the least likely of the possible outcomes, and lean toward annexation or a “limited operation.”

Russia’s Central Bank Steps In to Halt Ruble Slide as Markets in Freefall

Russia’s Central Bank was forced to halt foreign currency purchases in a bid to stop a dramatic slide in the value of the ruble.

Kremlin Says NATO Ramping Up Ukraine Tensions With Deployments

Tensions are mounting as the West accuses Moscow of threatening to invade Ukraine by massing over 100,000 troops on its border.

russia's response

LIVE | Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Jan. 24

Omicron fears. Covid passes. Vaccination push.

more news

11,173,300 Total Confirmed Cases

801,197 Total Active Cases

65,109 Today's Cases

10,045,336 Total Recovered

2,300 Total Critical

655 Today's Deaths

326,767 Total Deaths

76,513 Cases per Million

2,238 Deaths per Million

API: Open Disease Data API

ramping tensions

Russia-Ukraine Standoff – Daily Briefing | Jan. 24

The latest developments you need to know.

opinion Mark Galeotti

London’s Ukraine Coup Claims Strain Both Belief and Consensus

In an age of disinformation, it is no longer enough for governments simply to hint at having intelligence in support of their claims.

U.S., Britain Order Some Diplomats to Leave Ukraine Over Russian Invasion Fears

Several countries also advised their citizens to leave the country.

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...

Russian Lawmakers to Decide on Recognizing Ukraine Separatist ‘Republics’

A pro-Kremlin lawmaker said recognizing the two breakaway regions' independence would make war “a direct necessity.”

Combatting the contagion

Russia Fights Coronavirus

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Jan. 24

Russia Reports Record Covid-19 Cases as Omicron Gains Momentum

Australia Recognizes Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine for Incoming Travelers

Russia Delays Legislation on Coronavirus Health Passes

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?

opinion Michele A. Berdy

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

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

New Tax Scheme Lures 4 Million Russians to Self Employment

Most of the freelancers run taxi, repair and delivery, marketing and real estate services.

Russia’s Central Bank Steps In to Halt Ruble Slide as Markets in Freefall

Russia’s Central Bank was forced to halt foreign currency purchases in a bid to stop a dramatic slide in the value of the ruble.

Ukraine Standoff Threatens to Derail Russia’s Domestic Battle Against Inflation

Even without invasion, the crisis is accentuating rising price pressures at home.

currency control

Russian Central Bank Seeks to Ban Crypto Mining, Investment

Russia has the world’s third-largest share in the global crypto mining market behind the United States and Kazakhstan.

read more

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.

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

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.

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.

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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.