Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Number of Russian Billionaires Jumps in 2023 Despite Sanctions – Forbes

Richer and richer The overall wealth of Russian billionaires rose from $353 billion in 2022 to $505 billion this year.  
2 Min read

Russian Navy Removes Pacific Fleet Commander

Admiral Sergei Avakyants, who has commanded the Pacific Fleet since 2012, was removed days after surprise combat drills.
1 Min read

Russia’s Local Activists Find Room for Protest – Just Don’t Mention the War

In depth While the political significance of such protests is close to nil, some experts believe they are helping nurture Russia’s battered civil society. 
4 Min read
Cosmic Cinema

Russia Releases First Film Shot in Space, Beating Hollywood Project

The director brought back more than 30 hours of footage shot on board the International Space Station.
2 Min read
opinion Nigel Gould-Davies

Russia's Updated Foreign Policy Strategy is Revealingly Delusional

As Russia’s first systematic foreign policy statement since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the concept is significant.
4 Min read
News Analysis

Putin’s Occupied Ukraine Visit Seen as ‘PR Exercise’ to Counter Zelensky

Putin’s visit comes as Russian forces brace for what is expected to be a major Ukrainian counter-offensive. 
4 Min read
flagging political will

EU ‘Done’ With Russia Sanctions – FT

Further penalties on non-affected parts of Russia’s economy would likely be vetoed by EU member states.
1 Min read
seeking more men

What Do Muscovites Think About Russia's New Military Draft Law?

President Vladimir Putin last week signed a law that allows Russian authorities to issue online draft notices and impose restrictions on draft dodgers...
1 Min read
8.5 years

Russian Court Rejects Jailed Kremlin Critic Yashin Appeal

“I will become one of those who will build a new free and happy Russia on the ruins of Putinism,” Yashin told the courtroom.
1 Min read

Editor's Pick

opinion

Russia’s New Conscription Law Brings the Digital Gulag Much, Much Closer

The war in Ukraine has taken the state’s need for digital control to a whole new level.
5 Min read

Editor's Pick

In depth

‘Freedom Сannot Be Shut Down’: Defiance as Russia’s Sakharov Center Holds Last Public Event

The veteran human rights group has been evicted by the local authorities from its iconic headquarters in downtown Moscow.
3 Min read

Editor's Pick

opinion

My Partner Is a Journalist Jailed For his Work in Russia – Just Like Evan Gershkovich

I don’t believe that things will improve by being optimistic, but I do believe that we must continue to work and support one another.
4 Min read

Editor's Pick

News Analysis

‘As Quietly as Possible’: Premium on Secrecy as Russia Rams Through Military Draft Rules Bill

One source told The Moscow Times that there was such a rush to pass the legislation that procedural rules were broken. 
4 Min read

Editor's Pick

opinion

Anything But More Mobilization: Russia’s Stealthy Push to Find More Soldiers

The Kremlin's aim appears to be to convince more Russians to join up as professional servicemen and be deployed to Ukraine.
5 Min read

Editor's Pick

In depth

Debates Over Ukraine War Rock U.K. Universities, Cultural Institutions

For Russian language students, the main impact of the war has been to make it impossible to visit the place they are studying.
5 Min read

opinion
Nigel Gould-Davies

Russia's Updated Foreign Policy Strategy is Revealingly Delusional

4 Min read
Tatiana Stanovaya

Russia’s New Conscription Law Brings the Digital Gulag Much, Much Closer

5 Min read
Ksenia Mironova

My Partner Is a Journalist Jailed For his Work in Russia – Just Like Evan Gershkovich

4 Min read
Vladimir Kara-Murza

My Only Regret Is Failing to Convince People of the Danger Putin Posed

3 Min read
William Courtney and Scott Savitz

Why Blockading Rather Than Retaking Crimea Might Be Kyiv's Best Option

4 Min read
Farida Rustamova and Maxim Tovkaylo

Anything But More Mobilization: Russia’s Stealthy Push to Find More Soldiers

5 Min read
more opinion

Photos and Videos

seeking more men

What Do Muscovites Think About Russia's New Military Draft Law?

nationwide festivities

In Photos: Russia Marks Second Wartime Easter

More men needed

In Photos: Russian Military Ramps Up Army Recruitment Drive

Student Soldiers

In Photos: Russian High Schoolers Undergo Basic Military, First Aid Training

In depth
against all odds

Russia’s Local Activists Find Room for Protest – Just Don’t Mention the War

While the political significance of such protests is close to nil, some experts believe they are helping nurture Russia’s battered civil society. 
4 Min read
symbolic moment

‘Freedom Сannot Be Shut Down’: Defiance as Russia’s Sakharov Center Holds Last Public Event

The veteran human rights group has been evicted by the local authorities from its iconic headquarters in downtown Moscow.
3 Min read
end of an era

After 27 Years of Rights Activism, Moscow’s Sakharov Center Prepares to Close its Doors

The center's final exhibition at its headquarters on the banks of the Yauza River was devoted to life of Soviet dissident Yelena Bonner. 
4 Min read
manpower issues

Confusion and Indifference but No Panic as Russia Tightens Draft Rules

Experts linked the new law to the failure of the Russian Armed Forces to achieve major territorial gains in Ukraine this year.
4 Min read
fraying ties

Debates Over Ukraine War Rock U.K. Universities, Cultural Institutions

For Russian language students, the main impact of the war has been to make it impossible to visit the place they are studying.
5 Min read
More in depth

Business
Richer and richer

Number of Russian Billionaires Jumps in 2023 Despite Sanctions – Forbes

The overall wealth of Russian billionaires rose from $353 billion in 2022 to $505 billion this year.
2 Min read
flagging political will

EU ‘Done’ With Russia Sanctions – FT

Further penalties on non-affected parts of Russia’s economy would likely be vetoed by EU member states.
1 Min read
dependence risks

Sanctions-Hit Russia Wary of Over-Reliance on Chinese Tech – Bloomberg

Chips, network devices and electronics assessed to be areas of particular vulnerability to Chinese dependence.
2 Min read
Booze Boycott

Absolut Vodka Halts Exports to Russia

The decision came after the Swedish company faced public backlash for resuming shipments to Russia.
1 Min read
More business

arts and life
Cosmic Cinema

Russia Releases First Film Shot in Space, Beating Hollywood Project

The director brought back more than 30 hours of footage shot on board the International Space Station.
2 Min read
'gay propaganda'

Russia's Bolshoi Drops 'Nureev' Ballet Over LGBTQ Law

The Bolshoi has permanently removed a ballet about Russian dance legend Rudolf Nureyev following anti-gay legislation.
1 Min read
long read

'Disbelief' Opens a Treasure Trove of Russophone Anti-War Poetry to Readers

The Russian-English edition includes poems from Russophone writers all over the world.
8 Min read
weekend kitchen

Colored Easter Eggs: Life After the Party

A history of Easter eggs in Russia... and what to do with them after the holiday.
5 Min read
More Arts and Life

the new diaspora
'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
lost luminaries

9 Russian Cultural and Sporting Figures Who Emigrated in a Year of War

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked an exodus of cultural and sporting stars, many of whom publicly condemned the war.
6 Min read
More the new diaspora