The Moscow Times

Support The Moscow Times!

Contribute today

damning conclusion

UN Investigators: Russian Deportation of Ukrainian Children a 'War Crime'

Russia's forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to areas under its control amounts to a war crime, UN investigators said Thursday.

'strange feeling'

Navalny Reacts Belatedly to Documentary's Oscar Win From Jail

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has described how he discovered the documentary about his poisoning had won an Oscar.

Unlikely defender

Wagner Boss Defends Russians' Right to Criticize Military Top Brass

Prigozhin said that Russians should be free to criticize senior military figures and that only ordinary soldiers were beyond criticism.

Russia Agrees to 60-Day Black Sea Grain Deal Extension

The initial 120-day agreement was due to expire on March 18, and the Kremlin had cast doubt on whether it would agree to a fresh extension.

'true Russian patriot'

Kremlin Critic Kara-Murza Goes on Trial for Treason

The activist was charged over remarks he made critical of the Kremlin, his lawyer said, stressing that the comments "did not pose a threat to the country...

splendid isolation

Lukashenko Courts Iran's Raisi in Continuing Diplomatic Push

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told Iran's President "we could be very helpful to each other if we really put our efforts together."

economic measures

Canada Bans Aluminum, Steel Imports From Russia

Canada on Friday announced a ban on imports of Russian aluminum and steel products, with the aim of denying Moscow revenues to fund its war in Ukraine...

Burying the dead

Hundreds Turn Out to Mourn Ukrainian Saboteurs Killed in Russia

Hundreds of mourners packed a Kyiv church on Tuesday for the funeral of Ukrainian saboteurs killed on a mission in Russia.

Russia Hits Kramatorsk in 'Retaliatory Strike' – Ministry

Moscow claimed on Sunday its army conducted a deadly "retaliatory strike" in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk to avenge the deaths of 89 Russian...

aerial onslaught

Russia Says Strikes Disrupted the Supply of Foreign Arms to Ukraine

Russia claimed Saturday it had prevented the delivery of foreign weapons to Ukraine as part of mass strikes a day earlier that caused power and water outages...

'anti-russian' accusations

Russia Bans Entry to Irish Leaders

Russia said on Wednesday it had banned entry to more than 50 Irish officials including premier Micheal Martin in response to Western sanctions over Ukraine...

Russian Elite Voices Anger at Military Leadership

A growing list of failings and defeats in Ukraine have spawned angry outbursts from Russia's elite, who still support the "military operation" but have...

deadly border clashes

Putin Urges ‘Restraint’ After Armenia, Azerbaijan Fighting

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said Moscow was worried about fresh fighting between ex-Soviet countries Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling on...

sporting loophole

Russian Player Changes Nationality to Avoid Wimbledon Ban – Report

Natela Dzalamidze, ranked No. 44 in the world, has reportedly changed her nationality to Georgian.

Russian Minister Says UK-Russia Ties ‘Close to Zero'

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace for rare talks amid soaring tensions over Ukraine.

Russian Soyuz Rocket Launches 34 New UK Satellites

British operator OneWeb aims to provide broadband internet everywhere in the world, competing with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

Kremlin Sees ‘Positive Signals’ After Macron Visit to Kyiv

There are also "less positive" signals from the talks, the Kremlin noted.

week of diplomacy

No Major Breakthroughs Expected From Putin-Macron Meeting – Kremlin

"The situation is too complex to expect decisive breakthroughs in one meeting," the Kremlin said.

U.S. Says 'Not Sending Forces to Start a War' With Russia

The U.S. has deployed 3,000 additional soldiers to Germany and Eastern Europe over the Ukraine standoff with Moscow.

DIPLOMATIC AMBITIONS

Ukraine Says Diplomatic Solution More Likely Than Russian Attack

The statement came after the U.S. said its intelligence showed Moscow was preparing a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

maximum penalty

Russia Hands Life Sentence Over 2010 Moscow Metro Bombing

The coordinated attacks killed 39 and injured dozens.

pointing fingers

Kremlin Urges U.S. to ‘Stop Escalating Tensions'

The most recent deployment of U.S. troops to bolster NATO forces in Europe only worsened tensions, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

'politicization of sports'

Putin Slams Doping Sanctions Ahead of Olympics

In an interview with Chinese media, Putin denied his government had orchestrated a massive doping program at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

Moscow Vows to Retaliate for RT Ban in Germany

Launched in 2005 as "Russia Today," state-funded RT has expanded to languages including English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

old-time rivals

Armenia, Turkey to Resume First Flights in 2 Years

The countries with a long history of hostility are taking cautious efforts to normalize strained ties.

'the system is coping'

Russia Plans No New Virus Rules Despite Case Records

Moscow has been hesitant throughout the pandemic to introduce any restrictions that could hurt the embattled economy.

U.S. Tells Families of Govt Employees in Belarus to Leave

It also warned Americans not to travel to Belarus for reasons including Russia's military buildup in the ex-Soviet country.

'transferred to another job'

Mayor of Largest Kazakh City Dismissed After Bloody Unrest

Almaty became the epicenter of this month's deadly unrest that prompted Kazakhstan's president to call in Russia-led troops.

Russia Reports Over 100,000 Daily Covid-19 Cases For First Time

The country is battling a rapid surge in cases fueled by the fast-spreading Omicron variant

U.S. To Send Troops to Eastern Europe Amid Russia Tensions

Joe Biden announced the small troop deployment in a bid to maintain pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

TAMPING DOWN TENSIONS

Ukraine Leader Urges West Not to Stir 'Panic' Over Russia Tensions

Volodymyr Zelenskiy pointed to the need to "stabilise" Ukraine's already battered economy.

'DEFEND OUR LAND'

Belarus Strongman Says Will Go to War if Russia Attacked

Belarus and Russia are set to hold military drills that will focus on a scenario in which Belarus is forced to resist an attack from the West.

FISHING STANDOFF

Russian Military Drills Off Irish Coast to Go Ahead Despite Ukraine Tensions

The Russian navy is to go ahead with live fire exercises off the coast of Ireland despite heightened tensions with the West over Ukraine, the Irish fishing...

Ukraine Separatists Urge Russia to Send Modern Weapons

A Ukrainian separatist leader urged Russia to send weapons to the breakaway states to defend against Ukraine's Western-backed forces.

Putin Wishes Russian Athletes ‘Triumph’ at Beijing Olympics

He also criticized the diplomatic boycott of the Games announced by several global powers.

NATO Bolsters Eastern Flank as Fears Mount Over Ukraine Crisis

NATO said Monday it was sending jets and ships to bolster its eastern European flank.

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.

Evacuation Plan

No Evacuation for Now of U.S. Citizens in Ukraine: State Dept.

The United States is not "at this time" organizing an evacuation of American citizens from Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine crisis

Russian and U.K. Defense Ministers to Meet Over Ukraine

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has accepted an invitation to meet his British counterpart Ben Wallace to discuss the crisis on the Russia-Ukraine...

Growing Tensions

Germany to Send Field Hospital to Ukraine as War Fears Grow

Germany will send a field hospital to Ukraine, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Saturday.

sting operation

Russia Jails 4 in Luggage Cocaine Case

The men were caught trying to smuggle nearly 400 kilograms of cocaine from the Russian embassy in Argentina.

'common security'

Iran, Russia, China to Stage Indian Ocean War Games

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Tehran has "no limits for expanding ties with Russia" on his visit to Moscow this week.

ready to assist

Baltic States Authorized to Rush U.S.-Made Weapons to Ukraine

The Baltic nations' arsenals include Javelins, portable missiles capable of destroying tanks.

'STRATEGIC COOPERATION'

Putin Hails Strong Russia-Iran Ties

The meeting between Russian and Iranian leaders comes as pressure mounts for a decision on the Iran nuclear deal.

'not a realistic option'

Erdogan Warns Russia Against Invading Ukraine

Turkey's supply of combat drones to Ukraine has drawn the wrath of Russia.

Ukraine Says Has 'Evidence' Russia Behind Cyberattack

Microsoft warned Sunday that the cyberattack could prove destructive and affect more organizations than initially feared.

Valieva, 15, Completes Russian Euro Skate Sweep Ahead of Olympics

Russia also claimed titles in the men's event, pairs and ice dance in a stunning performance less than three weeks before the Winter Olympics start in...

Putin Eyes Construction of Arctic Rail Link

Putin has made Russia's Arctic region a strategic priority and ordered massive investment in military infrastructure and mineral extraction.

Ransomware Crackdown

Russian Court Remands Hackers in Custody

REvil carried out a high-profile attack last year on U.S. software firm Kaseya.

'Intelligence findings'

U.S. Says Russia Readying 'False-Flag' Operation to Invade Ukraine

Russia quickly denied the account, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the U.S. statements "unfounded."

'real progress'

Moscow Welcomes ‘Progress’ on Iran Nuclear Deal

Russia said it was cautiously optimistic over negotiations to restore the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

continued fallout

Russia Charges 6 After Leaks of Prison Rape Videos

The harrowing footage of sexual abuse at a jail in the central city of Saratov highlighted mistreatment in Russia's vast prison system.

seeking justice

Lithuanians Sue Gorbachev Over Deadly Soviet Crackdown

The civil lawsuit states that Gorbachev failed to stop the "international crime" against Lithuanians seeking freedom from Soviet occupation.

'major consequences'

U.S. Senators Ready Sanctions if Russia Invades Ukraine

The sanctions would target Putin and Russian banks, and provide $500 million in fresh security aid to Kyiv.

U.S. Says 'Too Early To Tell' if Russia Serious on Security Talks

Russia has demanded a legally binding non-expansion guarantee from the NATO alliance.

coveted collage

Wing Man: Central Africa Presents Putin With Butterfly Portrait

The portrait of Putin made of butterfly wings, a traditional gift, signals the increasingly close ties between the two countries.

'Gateway to Hell'

Turkmenistan Plans to Close Giant Burning Gas Pit

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered officials to put out the flames at the Darvaza gas crater in the middle of the vast Karakum desert.

U.S. Says No Progress With Russia as Long as 'Gun to Ukraine's Head'

Russia and the United States hold talks next week in Geneva after Moscow amassed tens of thousands of troops on the Ukrainian border.

SHOW OF SUPPORT

EU's Borrell to Visit Ukraine Frontline Amid Russia Tensions

The bloc's foreign policy chief will meet Ukrainian officials in Kiev during his visit from Tuesday to Thursday.

Biden Tells Zelenskiy U.S. Will 'Respond Decisively' if Russia Invades Ukraine

The show of U.S. support comes days after Biden warned Putin of severe consequences if Moscow launches a military invasion.

Bus Crash Kills Five, Injures 21 South of Moscow

Russia's Federal Road Traffic Inspection agency said the bus hit a pillar by a railroad bridge.

Biden and Putin Trade Warnings Over Ukraine, but Vow Diplomacy

Biden warned Putin of a tough response to any invasion of Ukraine, while the Kremlin leader said anti-Moscow sanctions would be a "colossal mistake"

Russia Stages 'Successful' Third Launch of New Rocket

Angara rockets are the first new family of launchers to be built after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Security Guarantees

Turkey Urges Russia to Drop 'One-Sided' NATO Demands

NATO member Turkey has irritated Moscow by supplying combat drones to Ukraine.

Russia Denies Withholding Gas Supplies to Europe

Russian energy giant Gazprom has rejected accusations that Moscow is limiting gas deliveries to Europe and denounced Germany's resale of gas to Poland...

Russia Completes 10,000-Troop Drills Near Ukraine

Russia announced Saturday that more than 10,000 troops had finished month-long drills near Ukraine.

U.S. 'Ready' for Talks With Russia From Early January: U.S. Official

The United States is preparing for talks with Russia that could start within weeks, a senior official said Thursday.

Russia Still 'Escalating' Troop Buildup on Ukraine Border – U.S.

Germany also said Moscow was continuing to deploy troops towards Ukraine.

Ukraine Says Russia's Gazprom is Creating 'Gas Deficit' in Europe

Ukraine has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission, alleging Gazprom is artificially reducing supplies to the EU.

Gas Prices Hit Record High on Russian Supply Squeeze, Cold Snap

Russia has cut supplies to Europe as temperatures drop across the continent.

Germany Warns Russia Over Nord Stream 'Consequences'

The new German government threatened to block the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from operating if Russia invades Ukraine.

'unfriendly actions'

Moscow Bans 7 Britons From Russia Over Navalny Sanctions

Britain had sanctioned seven Russian officials on the first anniversary of the poisoning of Putin's most vocal domestic critic.

reaching across divides

Putin Tells Pope They Can Jointly ‘Protect Christians'

The pope earlier this month said he was ready to travel to Moscow to visit Patriarch Kirill, the head of Russia's Orthodox Church.

Border tensions

EU Threatens Russia Sanctions as NATO Backs Ukraine

Western allies on Thursday rejected Russia's bid to thwart Kiev's NATO ambitions.

bureaucratic delays

Germany Says No Nord Stream 2 Approval for Six Months

The approval process for the gas pipeline from Russia to Germany is likely to drag into the second half of 2022.

YouTube Again Blocks German-Language RT channel

YouTube on Thursday again blocked a German-language channel of Russian state broadcaster RT for breaching user terms.

'categorically disagree'

Russia Rejects Ruling That It Ordered Berlin Killing

The Kremlin expressed hope that the spat would not affect its ties with the new German leader Olaf Scholz.

EU Halts C. Africa Army Training Over Wagner Influence

Moscow has said there are 1,135 "unarmed instructors" in the CAR, some of whom France and the UN say are from the Wagner group.

Navalny Daughter Urges EU to Confront Putin

Daria Navalnaya accepted the Sakharov Prize on behalf of her father, who is behind bars in Russia.

facing responsibility

Russia Detains Coal Tycoon Over Deadly Siberia Mine Blast

The blast at a coal mine in Siberia killed 51 people last month.

PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY

Russia Calls EU Sanctions Over Wagner Group 'Hysteria'

European foreign ministers have agreed to slap sanctions on targets linked to the secretive company.

Border Tensions

UK Tells Russia to 'De-Escalate Tensions' with Ukraine

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling him to "de-escalate tensions" with Ukraine, Downing Street...

'the little japanese'

Russia Hands Lengthy Prison Terms to Mobster’s Killers

Vyacheslav Ivankov, alias Yaponchik or The Little Japanese, was shot by sniper fire as he left a restaurant in Moscow in 2009.

UKRAINE STANDOFF

Russia Must Back Down or Face 'Massive Consequences' From G7 – U.S.

Russia's military buildup close to its border with Ukraine dominated discussions at the first day of a G7 meeting in Britain.

Russia Wants NATO to Ditch Plans for Ukraine and Georgia Membership

Russia is taking aim at a 2008 resolution from the Western military alliance that says Ukraine and Georgia will become members.

'something unprecedented'

Poland Finds Belarus Spies Diverted Ryanair Flight

The flight's diversion resulted in the highly controversial arrest of a Belarusian opposition journalist onboard.

Biden Says Sending U.S. Troops to Ukraine 'Not on the Cards'

The U.S. President also said he told Vladimir Putin to expect sanctions "like none he's ever seen" if Russia invades Ukraine.

turning the page

Putin Wants 'Constructive' Ties with Scholz, Praises Merkel

The incoming government has pledged a tougher line with Russia after the business-driven pragmatism of the Merkel years.

Moscow Says U.S. Spy Plane Nearly Caused Mid-Air 'Catastrophe'

An Aeroflot flight reportedly had to dive to keep its distance from the reconnaissance aircraft.

VIDEO CONFERENCE

Putin-Biden Talks Set for Tuesday Amid Ukraine Tension

Biden has said he will make it "very, very difficult" for Russia to launch any invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin Says Putin-Biden Video Call Next Week

Tensions have skyrocketed in recent weeks over accusations of Russian military buildup around Ukraine.

captive cetaceans

Russia Closes Notorious ‘Whale Jail'

Almost 100 whales were released from the secretive facility after an intense campaign by animal rights and environmentalist groups.

FORMAL RECOGNITION

Lukashenko Says Crimea is Russian, Will Visit Peninsula With Putin

The Belarus strongman had previously been non-committal over his position regarding the status of Crimea.

Russia Says Latest Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile Test Successful

Russia, the United States, France and China have all been experimenting with so-called hypersonic glide vehicles.

Russia’s Gazprom Reports Record Profits as Gas Prices Soar

Europe receives a third of its gas supplies from Russia and has seen energy prices surge to record highs in recent months.

'you were invited to europe'

Belarus Leader Tells Migrants They Have 'Right' to Go to EU

Lukashenko visited a center near the Polish border hosting hundreds of migrants who came to Belarus in the hopes of reaching Europe.

words of caution

Kiev Says Russia Will ‘Pay Dearly’ for Invasion

The West has raised fears that Moscow might be planning to send troops across the border.

Poland Says 230 Migrants Crossed Belarus Border by Force

Polish border guards said the migrants "threw rocks and sticks" as Belarusian forces used lasers and strobe lighting to try and blind Polish officers.

'difficult situation'

Russia to Boost Military in Face of ‘Increased NATO Activity'

Moscow maintains that any military buildup near Ukraine is a response to Western military activity near its borders.

see for yourself

Russian Doctors Invite Big Name Anti-Vaxxers to Covid Wards

"Maybe after that, you will change your position and fewer people will die," the letter by doctors from several Russian cities said.