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Lifting of Russia Flight, Visa Restrictions Deepens Georgia’s Geopolitical Dilemma

caught in the middle Analysts say Russia may be seeking to further drive a wedge between Georgia and the West — putting Tbilisi’s delicate balancing act to the test.  
5 Min read

Amsterdam Court Rejects Sanctioned Yandex Founder’s Appeal Against Mansion Squatters

Arkady Volozh has been fighting to evict a group of squatters from his 3.4-million-euro mansion in central Amsterdam for months.
1 Min read

South African Leader Says Putin, Zelensky Agree to Receive Peace Mission

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the initiative was backed by the leaders of Zambia, Senegal, Congo, Uganda, Egypt and South Africa.
2 Min read
live

Ukraine War: Kyiv's Forces Make Inroads Into Bakhmut Says Defense Ministry

Ukraine joins NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defense Center
South Africa says Ukraine and Russia 'ready' to host African peace initiative
Russia claims to destroy U.S.-made Patriot air defense system in Kyiv
double-triple agents

Russia's FSB Sent Ex-Islamic State Fighters to Infiltrate Ukraine, Turkey, U.S. – Meduza

Recruited fighters described assignments to gather information on the Ukrainian military and volunteer battalions.
2 Min read
'justifying terrorism'

Russian Prosecutors Seek 9-Year Prison Term for Opposition Activist

Mikhail Kriger’s supporters believe he was arrested in retaliation for his opposition to the war in Ukraine and criticism of the Kremlin.
1 Min read
Covert Attacks

Kremlin Critics Abroad Experience Signs of Poisoning, Surveillance – Agentstvo

The cases suggest that Moscow's security services are likely still operating beyond Russia's borders.
2 Min read
long-promised

Has Ukraine's Counteroffensive Actually Begun?

Analysts say Ukraine has stepped up its activity along the front line in an effort to gauge Russian defenses and shape operations.
3 Min read
chilling effect

3 Russian Hypersonic Missile Scientists Jailed for Treason, Colleagues Say

In an open letter, the scientists' colleagues warned that the criminal cases risk setting back Russia’s advances in hypersonic technology.
2 Min read
Espionage claims

FSB Says Arrested Ukrainian Woman on Spying Charges

Independent media reported that the woman is likely a Crimean Tatar who was first arrested in December.
1 Min read

TMT Weekly Newsletter

Our editors take you through the biggest Russia stories as featured in The Moscow Times. Preview
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Editor's Pick

News Analysis

Attacks on Russian Oil Facilities Deal a Military, Psychological Blow to Moscow

Drone strikes create logistical problems for the Russian military and puncture a sense of security felt by Russians far from the frontlines.
4 Min read

Editor's Pick

tatar diaspora

Ravaged By Fires, a Tatar Village in West Siberia Calls on Tatarstan to Fund Reconstruction

“There are tears, but [there is] also hope that we will rebuild everything.”
3 Min read

Editor's Pick

In depth

Russian Confectioner Fined for Anti-War Cakes Vows to Keep Baking

If convicted a second time under draconian wartime censorship laws, Anastasia Chernysheva could be sent to prison for up to seven years.
3 Min read

Editor's Pick

In depth

Tension and Worry as Russia’s Kursk Marks Downbeat Victory Day

Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, was one of 10 Russian regions to cancel traditional May 9 military parades. 
4 Min read

Editor's Pick

opinion

Ukraine’s Fate Rests on Its Imminent Counteroffensive

At stake for Ukraine in its looming counteroffensive is nothing less than its national survival.
4 Min read

Editor's Pick

In depth

The Torture of Isolation: Inside the Russian Prison Housing U.S. Journalist Evan Gershkovich

Its impenetrable walls once muffled the cries of Soviet-era political prisoners tortured and executed by security officers during Stalin’s purges. 
5 Min read

Editor's Pick

opinion

The Great Patriotic Special Military Operation

According to the Kremlin's narrative, Russia is fighting for the legacy of World War II by defeating fascism in Ukraine once more.
4 Min read

opinion
Galiya Ibragimova

How Russia Torpedoed Its Own Influence in Moldova

6 Min read
Alexandra Prokopenko

How Sanctions Have Changed Russian Economic Policy

5 Min read
Andrey Pertsev

For Ambitious Russian Officials, the War Has Failed to Become a Career Elevator

4 Min read
Jade McGlynn

The Great Patriotic Special Military Operation

4 Min read
Alexander Atasuntsev

Is Georgia’s Ruling Party Really Pro-Russian?

5 Min read
Matthew Sussex

Ukraine’s Fate Rests on Its Imminent Counteroffensive

4 Min read
more opinion

Photos and Videos

TMT Lecture Series

Inside Putin’s Propaganda Mirror Chamber: How Has Russia Lost the Free Press? – Mikhail Fishman

domestic defense

In Photos: Russia's Military Recruitment Efforts for Home and the Frontlines

Deadly Blazes

In Photos: Russia's Western Siberian, Urals Regions Gripped by Wildfires

Historical Celebration

In Photos: Moscow Celebrates Victory Day with Slimmed-Down Military Parade

In depth
risky sweets

Russian Confectioner Fined for Anti-War Cakes Vows to Keep Baking

If convicted a second time under draconian wartime censorship laws, Anastasia Chernysheva could be sent to prison for up to seven years.
3 Min read
unusual anniversary

Tension and Worry as Russia’s Kursk Marks Downbeat Victory Day

Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, was one of 10 Russian regions to cancel traditional May 9 military parades. 
4 Min read
security concerns

Russia Set for Muted Victory Day as Ukrainian Counteroffensive Looms

This year’s events will be marked by cancellations, enhanced security and little interest in attending from foreign leaders. 
5 Min read
fsb facility

The Torture of Isolation: Inside the Russian Prison Housing U.S. Journalist Evan Gershkovich

Its impenetrable walls once muffled the cries of Soviet-era political prisoners tortured and executed by security officers during Stalin’s purges. 
5 Min read
final resting place

7 Known 'Wagner Cemeteries' in Russia and Occupied Ukraine

Most of the graves are identical, with each bearing a sign reading: "Blood. Honor. Motherland. Courage. PMC Wagner."
5 Min read
More in depth

Business
revenue source

Russian Oil Exports Hit Post-Invasion High – IEA

Revenues in April were still 27% lower than the same month in 2022 despite the boosted volumes.
2 Min read
UAV craze

Drone Sales Surge Twentyfold in Russia

Russia’s largest online retailer recorded an increase in sales in January-March 2023 to 26,700 drones sold.
1 Min read
last call

Drinks Group Pernod Ricard Announces Russia Pullout

The French drinks giant had faced public pressure over its continued business activities in Russia.
1 Min read
More business

arts and life
book ban

Forward Into the Past: Forbidden Books In Russia

Publishers of Russian fiction and non-fiction are moving abroad.
4 Min read
Andrei Rublev's Trinity

Putin Hands Over Historic Icon to Church

The Moscow Patriarchate said Putin made the decision to hand over the icon "in response to numerous requests from Orthodox believers."
2 Min read
Pushkin House long read

In 'Overreach' Author Owen Matthews Goes Inside Putin's War

"Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine" is nominated for the Pushkin House Book Prize.
9 Min read
weekend kitchen

Spring for Green Borshch

Nettle or sorrel soup? Try these refreshing soups that announce spring is truly here.
5 Min read
More Arts and Life

the new diaspora
opinion Konstantin Sonin

Stop Victim-Blaming Russian Refugees

Telling Russian refugees they are not victims is like telling a woman who has been beaten up by her husband: “It’s OK, he didn’t kill you.”
4 Min read
'foreign agent' law

While Some Russian Exiles Join Georgia Protests, Others Keep Away

When thousands of Georgians protested this week, some Russian exiles joined rallies that would have been unthinkable in their homeland.
3 Min read
opinion Michele A. Berdy

A Family History of Not Looking Back

Reflecting on the year since I left Russia — and a century since my grandparents emigrated from the Russian Empire.
7 Min read
emigration challenges

To Reach Russian Audiences, Emigre Activists and Media Forced to Innovate

Exiled Russian activists are working hard to remain one step ahead of the Kremlin and relevant to their audiences.
4 Min read
More the new diaspora