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Articles by Leyla Latypova

News Analysis

Regions Calling: Tatarstan’s Viral Demarche, Explained

And what else you missed from Russia's 83 regions and ethnic republics.
4 Min read
Feature

'Harmful by Nature': Bashkortostan's Controversial New Mining Project Could Have Global Impacts

Activists warn the planned mine at Kyrktytau could harm ecosystems as far away as Kazakhstan — and its copper could be shipped as far as the EU.
6 Min read
Feature

‘My Homeland Is a Country Within a Country’: Avar Activist Zarema Gasanova

The nurse-turned-Indigenous-activist discusses activism in exile, xenophobia against people from the Caucasus in Russia and Dagestan’s future.
5 Min read
News Analysis

Flight Disruptions and Internet Outages Bring Chaos to Russia’s Regions

Russia’s centralization is not limited to politics and business. That’s what made this weekend such a disaster for many.
4 Min read
News Analysis Leyla Latypova

In Russia’s Dagestan, Iran-Israel Conflict Hits Close to Home

As the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities, the risk of radioactive contamination reaching Dagestan brought the hostilities into stark relief.
4 Min read
opinion Leyla Latypova

In Altai Republic, a Kremlin-Backed Government Reform Aids the Tycoons

Despite staging one of Russia's largest wartime protests, Altai's peoples are set to lose political representation and in some cases their livelihoods...
5 Min read
opinion Leyla Latypova

Russia's Opposition Fears the Country's Disintegration. If It Happens, It Would Be Their Own Doing.

A recent opposition event revealed the unhealthy power dynamic between the ethnic Russian majority and the few Indigenous attendees present.
5 Min read

Police Raids, Arrests Reported in Bashkortostan as Tensions Rise Over State-Backed Mining Project

Authorities are cracking down on locals and activists who say the copper-mining project would inflict irreparable ecological damage to their Indigenous...
3 Min read
News Analysis Leyla Latypova

Why Is Bashkortostan Getting a Ukrainian Cultural Center?

Unpacking a mystifying move by the Kremlin-loyal head of Bashkortostan.
5 Min read
Feature

Russia’s New Indigenous Policy Enables Unchecked Resource Exploitation, Experts Warn

Beneath the lofty language, the policy framework offers few, if any, tangible benefits to Indigenous communities, Indigenous experts told MT.
5 Min read
News Analysis Leyla Latypova

How the Circassian Genocide Remains an Inconvenient Truth for the Kremlin

The Circassian Day of Mourning spotlights a genocide that Moscow still refuses to acknowledge.
4 Min read
Feature

In Russia’s Sakha, a Fallen Conscript’s Family Searches for Justice on the State’s Terms

The case of conscript Aman Malyshev reflects the careful line that military families in Russia must tread when seeking answers from the government.
4 Min read
News Analysis Leyla Latypova

Will Putin Tap Tatarstan’s Global Appeal for the Russia-U.S. Rapprochement?

The republic of Tatarstan, which once strove to break away from Russia, has become indispensable to realizing the Kremlin’s grand foreign policy ambitions...
4 Min read
News Analysis Leyla Latypova

The Kremlin Prepared the Regions for Peace Talks – But Few Took Notice

For the first time, officials encouraged relatives of soldiers killed in Ukraine to join Immortal Regiment marches. Here's why that's important.
4 Min read
Feature

Ukraine War Creeps Into Victory Day Commemorations in Russia’s Regions and Ethnic Republics

Local governments fueled patriotic fervor, while relatives of soldiers killed in Ukraine seized the chance to mourn loved ones.
4 Min read
Feature

In Kazakhstan, Russia Looms Large Over World War II Commemorations

The 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II has brought up complicated questions about Russian influence and colonialism.
5 Min read

In Russia’s Bashkortostan, Fresh Tensions Grow Over Planned Copper Mining Site

After the republic was rocked by protests and repressions, locals are once again fighting to protect their Indigenous lands from irreversible harm. 
5 Min read
Feature

‘We Need to Recognize Russia’s Colonial Violence’: Buryat Illustrator Seseg Jigjitova

Jigjitova has emerged as a prominent critic of Russian colonialism and an advocate for the rights of Buryats amid the invasion of Ukraine. 
5 Min read

Explainer: Does Russia’s ‘Systemic Opposition’ Still Exist?

Even minor differences between these parties have seemingly vanished since the invasion of Ukraine. Can they still play a political role?
5 Min read
Feature

Hundreds of Ethnic Germans Are Dying for Russia in Ukraine. This Man Is Tracking Them.

Andrej Triller, a descendant of Volga Germans deported to Kazakhstan by the Soviets, has been documenting the new tragedy hitting his community.
4 Min read

Major Fires in Siberia, Far East Mark Ominous Start to Russia’s 2025 Wildfire Season

Experts agree that Russian authorities — like in previous years — remain ill-prepared for the 2025 wildfire season.
4 Min read

As Russia’s Regions Battle Floods, Local Officials Hide Real Damage and Pray to God

As peak flooding season hits regions across the Urals and Siberia, regional officials appear ill-prepared to manage such disasters.
3 Min read
News Analysis

Russia Aims to Tighten Grip Over Abkhazia With ‘Foreign Agent’ Designations

Russia has named two journalists from Abkhazia, the Georgian breakaway region rocked by protests against an investment deal with Moscow, as "foreign agents...
3 Min read
Feature

‘Witch Hunt’: Why Russia Is Blaming a Closed Ingush Sufi Order for Major Terrorist Acts

Recent allegations against Batal Hajji members are part of a years-long campaign aimed at driving the once-powerful order underground, analysts say.
6 Min read
Feature

For Russia’s Regional Journalism, RFE/RL’s Closure a ‘Catastrophe’

Though imperfect, the outlet has been a rare source of independent news for residents of Russia’s regions and Indigenous communities.
6 Min read
Feature

‘Hey, Russians’: In Kazakhstan, a Popular Satirist Battles ‘Russophobia’ Charges

Whether Russia had a hand in it or not, Temirlan Ensebek's trial has become one of Kazakhstan's highest-profile political cases in recent years.
6 Min read
Feature

‘Extermination of Entire Nations’: Scientist Maria Vyushkova Counts Russia’s Indigenous War Dead

Vyushkova was the first to shed light on the true scale of ethnic disparities in the confirmed Russian-side casualties using hard data. 
6 Min read
Feature

Portrait of a Nation: How Ordinary Russians’ Lives Have Changed in 3 Years of War

Millions of Russians have borne the brunt of deepening political repressions, sweeping economic sanctions and uncertainty about the future.
7 Min read
Feature

For Indigenous Families in Russia, Keeping Language Alive Is an Impossible Task

In Russia's ethnic republics, erasure facilitated by Kremlin-dictated policy has many fearing for the future of their Indigenous languages.
5 Min read

‘Unusually Public Crisis’: How a Plane Crash Is Driving Russia and Azerbaijan Apart

Relations between longtime allies Russia and Azerbaijan have been deteriorating since the Dec. 25 crash of an Azerbaijani plane headed for Russia. 
4 Min read
Feature

‘What Motivates Me Is My Love for Komi’: Indigenous Activist Lana Pylaeva

A scientist by training, Pylaeva entered political activism following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
6 Min read
Feature

Russians Claiming U.S. Asylum Face Prolonged Detention and Uncertainty

A rise in detentions of Russian asylum seekers has fueled debate over whether the practice is discriminatory or merely how the system works for all migrants...
7 Min read
Feature

Activist Viktoria Maladaeva Uplifts Russia’s Indigenous Peoples With Power of Unity

Maladaeva discusses her journey as an activist, Indigenous people’s view of Russia’s “liberal opposition” and the future of Buryatia.
6 Min read

‘Horrific’: Russia’s Indigenous Activists Decry Sweeping ‘Terrorist’ Designation

Activists say they are preparing for even wider repressions against themselves and the Indigenous communities they advocate for.
4 Min read
Feature

Full Support or Quiet Resistance: Ukraine War Splits Russia’s Buddhists

Nonviolence is a central precept of the Buddhist faith. So why have so many Buddhist clerks from Russia backed the invasion of Ukraine?
5 Min read

Looking Ahead at Russia’s Ethnic Republics in 2025

Leading activists and experts on politics and society in Russia’s republics share their predictions and advice on trends to watch.
4 Min read

The Baymak Case: Modern Russia’s Largest Political Trial

Residents of Bashkortostan were caught in a sweeping crackdown after protesting the jailing of a prominent Indigenous rights activist.
3 Min read
Feature

‘They Are Just Humans’: Exiled Lama on Why Russia’s Buddhist Clergy Support the War

Lama Baldan Bazarov is one of only a few Russian Buddhist clerks to have condemned the invasion of Ukraine publicly.
5 Min read
Feature

Battling Fear and Indifference, Exiled Chechen Women Protest Kadyrov

An all-women protest aimed to spotlight Kadyrov's “fight against defenseless women” and cases of women kidnapped or imprisoned in the North Caucasus...
3 Min read

‘Soviet-Minded Men Rule Everything in Russia’: Journalist Ekaterina Kotrikadze

The TV Rain presenter speaks about her career, women in Russian propaganda and how she helped start Russia's #MeToo moment.
7 Min read

Rare Protest In Russia’s Coldest Capital Seeks to Defend Mayoral Elections

While nearly all forms of protest in Russia have been suppressed since the invasion of Ukraine, local authorities allowed Sunday’s rally to take place...
3 Min read

‘Russia Wants Family Violence to Persist’: Feminist Activist Zalina Marshenkulova

The prominent feminist blogger and activist speaks about activism in exile, the Kremlin’s repressive laws and the state of women’s rights in Russia...
6 Min read

In Numbers: How Russia’s Regions Entice Ukraine War Recruits With Money

Regions are hiking their payouts to military recruits in a bid to outdo fellow regions in meeting Kremlin-allocated enlistment quotas.
4 Min read
Feature

Persecuted En Masse, Russia’s Jehovah’s Witnesses ‘Expect to Outlast’ Putin’s Regime

As many as 833 members of the religious group have faced persecution for their beliefs since Russia banned them as "extremist" in 2017.
5 Min read
Feature

In Russia’s Republic of Sakha, a Fatal Stray Dog Attack Underscores Country-Wide Problem

Sakha is one of many regions grappling with a stray dog crisis that endangers the people who live near them — but an effective solution appears far-off...
4 Min read
Feature

In Russia’s Caucasus, a Tentative Border Redraw Edges Republics Closer to Instability

For many in Ingushetia, learning that parts of their republic could be handed over to neighboring North Ossetia was like rubbing salt in the wound.
4 Min read

In Russia, International Safe Abortion Day Is a Reminder of Reproductive Rights Backsliding

Russia has backtracked on its once-liberal abortion policies, leaving thousands of women with increasingly limited access to abortion care. 
3 Min read

‘He Was Right All Along’: 5 Years Since Arrest, Support for Anti-Putin Shaman Is Stronger Than Ever

Once dismissed by some as “a lunatic,” many now view Alexander Gabyshev’s quest against the Kremlin as prophetic in light of the war in Ukraine.
4 Min read

In Russia’s Ethnic Republics, Pro-Kremlin Heads Run for Reelection — Popular Support Optional

Russia’s third wartime elections are expected to yield few surprises. But in three ethnic republics, the incumbents' victories will be hard-fought.
4 Min read

Fashion Police: Russia Cracks Down on Pop Stars’ Revealing Costumes

Performers are coming under fire for performing in leotards and bodysuits seen as clashing with the state's vision of "traditional values."
3 Min read

Raging Wildfires Devastate Russia’s Far East Sakha Republic

At least 2 million hectares of forest have been destroyed in Sakha this summer — and local residents are lamenting the authorities’ lax response.
3 Min read
opinion Leyla Latypova

Are Indigenous Activists from Russia Being Shut Out of the UN?

Several Indigenous activists have been refused attendance at this week's UN EMRIP. Is the Kremlin behind it?
3 Min read
opinion Leyla Latypova

Children of Asia Games Stir Up Memories of the Democratic and Free Sakha That Never Was

The return of the games to Sakha this year is both a reminder of a dream lost and a respite from the grim reality of the war's outsized impact on the republic...
3 Min read
opinion Leyla Latypova

Attacks in Dagestan Will Marginalize and Endanger Russia’s Muslims. Further.

Russia’s latest security failure in Dagestan will enable greater xenophobia and suppression of Muslim communities.
4 Min read
opinion Leyla Latypova

Russia Day Celebrations Become a PR Balancing Act for Republic Leaders

After a crackdown on activists tanked his reputation, Bashkortostan's Kremlin-appointed head invokes the Bashkir national hero in a bid to boost his legitimacy...
3 Min read

‘Another Attempt to Marginalize Us’: Experts and Activists Weigh In on ‘Anti-Russian Separatist’ Ban

Affiliates and supporters of these groups could now face up to six years in prison if found guilty of involvement in the banned “separatist movement...
3 Min read
Feature

An Exiled Komi Journalist Strives to Make His Community’s Voices Heard Over Russian Censorship

Valera Ilinov, the founder of the leading independent media outlet covering the republic of Komi, sees his work as inherently political and decolonial...
4 Min read
Feature

‘The Kremlin Wants Us to Forget His Name’: Supporters Pay Tribute to Navalny on His 48th Birthday

Supporters of the late Kremlin foe said they aim to keep his memory alive no matter what.
4 Min read
Feature

Their Ancestral Traditions Under Threat, a Village in Russia’s Far East Stands Up to Gold-Mining Giant

Tyanya residents’ chances of blocking Nordgold’s next venture in their mineral-rich region are slim. Activists say they have no choice but to try.
6 Min read
Feature

How Russia’s ‘Covert Mobilization’ Finds Manpower for the War in Ukraine

Activists say the army is luring new recruits with promises of high salaries and social benefits as well as intimidation tactics and even violence.
4 Min read

Exiled Electronic Duo AIGEL on Viral Fame, Singing in Tatar and Independent Art

Despite being blacklisted in Russia over their anti-war stance, the duo topped several global streaming charts with the Tatar-language song "Piyala."
5 Min read
News Analysis

What’s Behind Georgia’s ‘Russian Law’?

The Moscow Times spoke with experts to make sense of what is happening in Georgia, what might come next, and whether Russia may be involved.
5 Min read
News Analysis

What Next for Chechnya After Kadyrov Reported Seriously Ill? Experts Weigh In

Analysts were divided on the reported succession plan for Kadyrov — and whether the region would be plunged into turmoil following his death.
4 Min read

Russian Court Upholds 4-Year Sentence for Prominent Bashkir Activist

Fayil Alsynov's sentencing to four years in January sparked some of the largest protests in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.
4 Min read
Feature

For Veiled Muslim Women in Russia, Prejudice and Harassment Are Part of Everyday Life

Last month's Moscow concert hall massacre has reportedly led to a rise in attacks on Muslim women in central Russia.
6 Min read

‘Difficult to Keep Calm’: Tatarstan Residents Shaken by Ukraine-Linked Drone Strikes

The purported Ukrainian attacks are the farthest-reaching strikes on Russian territory since the start of the war in Ukraine.
4 Min read
Feature

‘We All Have the Same Face to Them’: Deadly Moscow Attack Magnifies Discrimination Against Central Asian Migrants

In the wake of last week’s deadly shooting at Crocus City Hall, life for many migrants in Russia could take a turn for the worse.
6 Min read
Feature

‘Indifference’ and ‘Anger’ Guide Voter Choice in Russia’s Ethnic Republics

Outsize war casualties, worsening economic conditions and even sweeping repressions are unlikely to catalyze voters in a major way, experts and activists...
5 Min read

Inaugural ‘Games of the Future’ Fail to Undo Moscow’s International Isolation

Experts called the games “an attempt by Putin’s inner circle to show him…that everything in Russia is like before and even better.” 
4 Min read
Feature

2 Years Into Ukraine War, Russia’s Ethnic Minorities Disproportionately Killed in Battle

“In one generation these nations will simply disappear,” said the scientist leading research into Russia's wartime losses.
5 Min read

From Whelan to Karelina: The Americans Held in Russian Prisons

This week's arrest of a U.S.-Russian woman on suspicion of treason is the latest in a series of arrests of U.S. citizens on Russian soil.
5 Min read

Before Navalny: 5 High-Profile Prisoners Who Perished in Russian Detention

Navalny — though arguably the most famous — is not the first activist to have died while held in Russia's harsh prison system.
5 Min read

Timeline: Alexei Navalny’s Final Hours

Based on available media reports and statements made by Russian authorities, The Moscow Times has recreated the timeline of the Kremlin critic’s final...
4 Min read

Leading Yakutian Activist Refuses to Give Up on Region’s Free Future

Sargylana Kondakova's group has helped hundreds of conscientious objectors, supported persecuted activists and combatted pro-Kremlin propaganda.
5 Min read
Feature

Exiled from Bashkortostan, Ex-Official Murzagulov Remains Hopeful for Its Future

Rostislav Murzagulov once saw himself as a political mediator. Now the polarizing figure must watch the unrest in his home region from afar.
5 Min read

Amid Sweeping Arrests, Russia’s Bashkortostan Braces for Further Protests

Bashkortostan’s Kremlin-appointed head has been doubling down on efforts to quash dissent.
4 Min read

Explainer: How an Activist’s Arrest Sparked Protests in Russia’s Bashkortostan

This week's events mark the latest instance in Bashkortostan's long history of protests over environmental and indigenous rights issues.
5 Min read

Russia Jails Prominent Bashkir Activist 4 Years

The case against Fayil Alsynov has mobilized thousands who say that Alsynov is being unfairly targeted over his popularity and achievements.
5 Min read

'Our Men Are Dying for Nothing': Russian Soldier’s Widow Makes Anti-War Plea

Maria Ishkova traveled to occupied Berdiansk to celebrate the New Year with her mobilized husband but found out upon her arrival that he had died.
3 Min read

Russia Seeks Arrest of Exiled Opposition Politician Bryukhanova

Anastasia Bryukhanova said her case is linked to a video she made about a New York Times investigation into the Russian massacre of civilians in Bucha...
1 Min read

How Russia’s Independent Media Survived 2023

Journalists and their employers have faced threats to their funding and ability to publish, and have even been imprisoned.
4 Min read

Viral Russian Gang Drama Revisits the Ultraviolence of 1980s Kazan

The No. 1 series in Russia recreates Kazan's thriving gang culture of the late 80s. But it brings up painful memories for some who lived through it.
6 Min read
Feature

Amid Ukraine War, a Quiet Battle of Memorials Unfolds in Russia

While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is being immortalized in stone, memorials dedicated to Soviet-era repressions are disappearing en masse.
4 Min read

Meet Putin’s Possible Election Opponent: A Single Mother of 3 Calling for Peace

Yekaterina Duntsova believes her age, gender and lack of experience in Kremlin politics could be assets. But she faces a long, challenging road ahead.
5 Min read
Feature

Northern Flight: The Teenage Komi-Karelian Activist Who Escaped the FSB

Nikita Goldin, a young advocate for the Komi and Karelian communities, was detained and interrogated for 10 hours. It was then that he knew he had to...
4 Min read

Ban of Sakha Films Signals Uncertain Future for Russia’s Regional Movie Industries

The regional film industry in Russia would be booming if the authorities didn't ban their movies.
5 Min read
Feature

Russia’s Muslims Dismayed By Anti-Israeli Airport Riot

“Islamophobia exists both in Russia and abroad and this will change attitudes towards us,” a Dagestan-born human rights lawyer said.
5 Min read
Feature

Fleeing Russian Persecution, Yakutian Anti-War Punk Now Awaits Deportation in Kazakh Jail

Ayhal Ammosov faces a criminal trial in his home country for calling on Russians to set fire to military enlistment offices.
5 Min read
Feature

Arrest of Tatar-American Journalist ‘A Terrible Tragedy,’ Friends Say

People who know Alsu Kurmasheva describe her as a devoted mother and journalist committed to covering life in Russia’s ethnic republics.
3 Min read
News Analysis

Kremlin’s Passive Stance On Israel-Hamas War Risks Damaging Its Relationship With Israel

Israel views Russia’s attempt at neutrality as a firm expression of both a pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas position, analysts and experts said.
5 Min read

Explainer: What Does Russia’s Exit From the Convention on National Minorities Mean? 

Putin has introduced a bill greenlighting Russia’s exit from the FCNM, the world’s most comprehensive legally binding treaty devoted to safeguarding...
4 Min read

Art and Music of Russia’s Indigenous Peoples Comes Into Spotlight in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s bustling Red Light District has plenty to offer to visitors on a Saturday evening, but a showcase of art and music of Russia’s...
4 Min read
Feature

Russian Officials Fighting in Ukraine Seek Profile Boost, Career Advancement

Yet, for most officials, volunteering to fight in Ukraine has so far delivered few if any tangible professional benefits.
4 Min read
Feature

‘We’re All Hostages Here’: Wanted Russian Activists, Draft Dodgers Stuck in Legal Limbo in Kazakhstan

Sought by law enforcement at home and unable to go to a third country, Kazakhstan's Russian exiles are forced to live under the constant threat of repatriation...
5 Min read
Feature

Russia Pressures Migrant Workers with Raids, Military Summons

Hundreds of migrant workers hailing predominantly from Central Asia have been rounded up in police raids in several Russian cities in recent weeks. 
5 Min read
Feature

Russia’s ‘Systemic Opposition’ Eyes Small Triumphs in Regional Elections

The ruling, pro-Kremlin United Russia party faces competition in a number of regions and municipalities as its popularity appears increasingly uncertain...
6 Min read
Feature

Russia Targets Activists’ Families as Efforts to Muzzle Dissent Spread

Activists who spoke to The Moscow Times confirmed dozens of ongoing cases of persecution of government critics’ families. 
5 Min read
Feature

New Bill Puts Russia’s Lake Baikal at Risk of Deforestation, Harmful Urbanization

Experts and activists warn that a bill to ease logging restrictions along the lake's shores could deal irreversible damage to its unique ecosystem.
5 Min read
Feature

Russia Edges Closer to Abortion Ban in Quest to Preserve ‘Traditional Values’

Despite declining abortion numbers, the conservative turn among Russia's leadership and a push from the Russian Orthodox Church have put a target on the...
5 Min read
Feature

Economic Partnerships, Ukraine Set to Dominate Diminished Russia-Africa Summit

Experts say that the Russia-Africa Summit will likely be much smaller in size and scope than the inaugural event held in Sochi in 2019. 
4 Min read
Feature

As Kremlin Dismantles Wagner’s Empire, Foreign Asset Seizures More Likely Than Defense Ministry Takeover

While the Kremlin swiftly moved to dissolve Wagner’s structures in Russia and Ukraine, the future of its overseas units remains volatile.
4 Min read
Feature

NATO Summit Gives Moscow Little to Celebrate Despite Falling Short of Kyiv’s Demands

The alliance’s reiterated commitment to Ukraine defied Moscow's expectation that Western support for Kyiv would fade as the invasion dragged on.
4 Min read
Feature

Standing By or Choosing Sides: Wagner Mutiny Deepens Divides in Russian Opposition

Russia's opposition was divided on whether they should lend their support to the mutiny, which threatened the Kremlin's grip on power.
4 Min read
Feature

Wagner Mutiny Stirs Panic, Uncertainty and Hope for Change in Russia’s Ethnic Republics

Far from Moscow, authorities in regions like the republics of Sakha, Tatarstan and Buryatia demurred and focused on events at home.
4 Min read
Feature

Ideology, Money or Freedom? Why Fighters from the Global South Join Russia’s Army in Ukraine

Tanzanian, Uzbek, Tajik, and Zambian nationals are just some of those known to have fought for Russia in Ukraine.
4 Min read

Foreigners Stranded in Russia’s Remote Far East as U.S.-Bound Flight Makes Emergency Landing

“When they were landing, they felt the plane hitting a hole [in the runway] — that was their first impression of Magadan,” the region's governor...
3 Min read

World’s Largest Tatar Language Platform to Shut Down After Western Developer Exits Russia

Ana Tele had been used by more than 100,000 Tatar language learners both within Russia and abroad.
3 Min read
Feature

Assimilate or Flee: Wartime Pressures Weigh on Russia’s Ukrainian Diaspora

There are hundreds of thousands of ethnic Ukrainians in Russia whose lives have been affected by the 15-month invasion.
4 Min read
Feature

Russia’s Arrest of Evan Gershkovich Echoes Soviet Spy Scandal

Nicholas Daniloff was working as a journalist in the Soviet Union when he was detained in 1986 and accused of espionage.
4 Min read

Russian Border Region Says Ukrainian 'Sabotage' Unit Carried Out Incursion

Local authorities have introduced a “counterterrorism regime” throughout the entire region.
4 Min read

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
Feature

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
Feature

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
Feature

From Gershkovich to Gadzhiev: 9 Journalists Jailed in Russia

At least 22 journalists are currently imprisoned in Russia for their work, according to Reporters Without Borders.
5 Min read

Russia Begins Issuing Digital Military Summons – Reports

The use of digital summons have fueled fears the Kremlin may be preparing to mobilize more men to aid its military efforts in Ukraine. 
3 Min read
Feature

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
News Analysis

As Xi Visits Putin, Allies Trumpet 'New Era' But Offer Little Substance

Xi’s reunion with Putin is unlikely to catalyze a major shift in bilateral cooperation — or in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, experts say.
4 Min read
Feature

Languages in Russia Disappearing Faster than Data Suggests, Activists Warn

While Russia's 2021 census might help identify linguistic trends, experts argue it fails to capture the real number of active language users.
5 Min read

Russia's Grateful Diaspora Joins Earthquake Relief Efforts in Turkey

As Turkey struggled amid the worst disaster in its modern history, recent Russian arrivals in the country were determined to help.
4 Min read
Feature

Russia’s Religious Leaders Who Criticized the Ukraine War

Orthodox priest Maxim Nagibin has been an outcast in his village in southern Russia since the sermon he gave at his local church, St. Michael the Archangel...
4 Min read
Feature

The Desperate Chechen Lawyer Offering Kadyrov a Human Swap

Human rights lawyer Abubakar Yangulbaev is no novice when it comes to standing up to Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman leader of Russia’s republic of...
Feature

'Final Nail in the Coffin': Activists Lament Moscow Helsinki Group Closure

Russian and international human rights activists on Thursday condemned the dissolution of the Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG), Russia's oldest independent...
Feature

Russian Emigres Rally Worldwide in Support of Jailed Navalny

Thousands of Russian emigres in more than 60 cities, from Seoul and London to Yerevan, Vilnius and Belgrade, took part in solidarity rallies Saturday in...
Feature

Russia’s Local Journalists Struggle to Keep News Flowing – From Home and Abroad

Russian independent media outlet Zvezda in the city of Perm consistently uses the word “war” in its coverage of the fighting in Ukraine &mdash...
Feature

What Really Happened With Russia’s Economy in 2022?

While many analysts and observers expected the Russian economy to collapse under the weight of the Ukraine war and a flood of Western sanctions, the country...

Tatarstan Deputies Reject Kremlin Attempt to Bring Region to Heel

In a rare show of defiance toward the federal government in Moscow, regional politicians in Tatarstan on Thursday rejected a set of amendments to its constitution...
Feature

7 Unexpected Ways Western Sanctions Have Affected Life in Russia

Western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine may not have resulted in the dramatic economic collapse some predicted — but they have still...
Feature

Ukraine War Fuels ‘Fear and Anxiety’ for Russia’s Trans Community

Transgender and non-binary people in Russia have faced rising harassment and physical abuse since the start of the war in Ukraine, activists say, as the...

Russia Begins Kherson 'Evacuations' as Ukrainian Forces Advance

State-run Russian television aired footage on Wednesday of long lines of people and their luggage on the banks of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine&rsquo...

From Mobilization to Death in 10 Days: Russia’s Draftees Killed in Ukraine

St. Petersburg lawyer Andrei Nikiforov was drafted into the Russian army four days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial&rdquo...

Russia Claims Front ‘Stabilized’ as Ukraine Pushes on With Counteroffensive

Russian officials sought to allay concerns Wednesday that Ukraine could achieve a major breakthrough in its ongoing counteroffensive amid reports that...

‘We Cannot Win’: Russia’s Military Veterans Opposing The Ukraine War

After retiring from the Russian Air Force at the rank of lieutenant-colonel, Vitaly Votanovsky got involved in political activism in the southern Russian...

Ethnic Minorities Hit Hardest By Russia’s Mobilization, Activists Say

Just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization for the war in Ukraine last week, a family in Russia’s majority-Buddhist...

‘We Just Started Crying’: Call-Up Gains Steam as Russians Receive Draft Papers

Thousands of men across Russia were handed draft papers and NGOs helping conscripts were flooded with requests for help Thursday amid the military mobilization...

Russia’s Tatarstan Bans Reservists From Leaving as Mobilization Underway

Authorities in Russia’s republic of Tatarstan have prohibited all residents in the military reserves from leaving the region, according to a government...

‘Demoralized and Depressed’: Voting Begins in Russia’s First Wartime Elections

Moscow will see the most contested elections as over a hundred independent candidates seek to win municipal council seats.

Russians Flock to Belarus for Sanctions-Free Shopping Tourism

The demand for tours to Russia’s ex-Soviet ally has been unexpectedly high since the invasion, according to travel agents.

From Yandex to RT: Russia Expands Presence in Serbia Amid Ukraine War

The Kremlin is looking to use its Balkan ally to evade sanctions and “gaslight” the West, analysts say.

Russia’s ‘Filtration Camp’ System Detailed in Human Rights Watch Report

“The forcible transfer of civilians… can be prosecuted as a war crime and a crime against humanity,” the international watchdog said.

Praise and Blame: How Russia Reacted to the Death of Gorbachev

President Vladimir Putin said Gorbachev was a “statesman who made an enormous impact on the trajectory of world history.”

'Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union'

It’s hard not to seek answers to questions of the present in Zubok’s work about the past.

NGO Helps Women Fleeing Ukraine War, Political Repression

A global team of volunteers coordinated by a leading Russian expert is supporting women facing gender-based violence abroad.

Explainer: What’s Next for U.S. Basketball Star Griner After Russia Conviction?

Brittney Griner’s defense is preparing to appeal the verdict, while prisoner swap talks between the U.S. and Russia could drag on for months.

Russia’s Tatar Minority Mourns Loss of Regional Presidency

Vladimir Putin formalized the arrangement in July when referencing the local leader as “head” for the first time.

‘Explosive Cocktail’: The Russian Regions Recruiting Units for Ukraine War

It may alleviate Russia’s manpower shortages but is unlikely to change the course of the fighting, analysts said.

Russian Authorities Detain, Threaten Soldiers Refusing to Fight in Ukraine

Servicemen report that they are being prevented from resigning from the military.

Russia's Liberal Dozhd TV Returns to the Air After Wartime Crackdown

“We hope that we won’t disappoint the viewers,” Dozhd’s editor-in-chief said.

‘We Save Everyone’: The Lawyers Helping Russian Soldiers Evade Service in Ukraine

Thousands of Russian contract soldiers and National Guard employees have likely refused to be sent into battle since the start of the invasion.

Russian Ruble Drops 17% Amid Falling Exports, Rumored Intervention

The ruble is currently at its lowest level in six weeks.

Russia’s Remote Communities Feel Fallout From Ukraine Invasion

Residents of distant towns and villages are facing the loss and grief of a “big land” conflict.

Russia Recruits Teachers, Construction Workers and Politicians to ‘Rebuild’ Occupied Ukraine

Potential hires are promised salaries up to nine times higher than the Russian average.

Taliban, Separatists and Lukashenko: Russia Kicks Off Diminished St. Petersburg Forum

There will be no delegations from “unfriendly” countries, according to Russian officials.

Explainer: What Does Russia’s ‘Zero-Inflation’ Mean?

“Things are a lot worse than they are saying,” said one economist.

Amid Official Silence, Russian Soldiers’ Families Get Answers From the Enemy

Ukraine’s “IT Army” spreads information and photos of deceased Russian military personnel on social media to raise awareness of losses.

Russia Places Top Investigative Journalist on Federal Wanted List

Andrei Soldatov, a leading expert on Russia's security services, learned of the case against him after his bank accounts were frozen.

For Russia’s Exiled Ethnic Activists, Ukraine War a ‘Window of Opportunity’

“We believe that the Russian invasion of Ukraine will bring about the fall of the empire,” said one ethnic rights activist.
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Z-symbols, Fewer Tanks and No Guests: Russia Prepares to Mark Victory Day as Ukraine War Rages

There will be 129 military vehicles and about 10,000 personnel taking part in the military parade in Moscow on Monday.

Explainer: Where Things Stand With Navalny

A look at the state of play in the impasse between President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal domestic critic and the Kremlin.

Guzel Yakhina Lays Bare the Soviet Past in 'Train to Samarkand'

Yakhina’s new novel gives voice to the children of 1920s famine.

Of Borscht and Protests: The Female Future of Russia’s Opposition

Women in Russia’s opposition have been drivers of change long before entering the spotlight in the wake of Alexei Navalny's jailing.

South African Comedian Goes for Laughs in Moscow

Mum-z speaks about comedy, love and living in Russia as a black man.

Iranian Speaker’s Moscow Visit Signals Closer Ties to Come, Experts Say

Mohammad-Bager Galibaf’s Russia trip was more than a routine visit, experts told The Moscow Times.

Russian Region Becomes First to Introduce Covid-19 'Passports'

Passport holders will be exempt from certain pandemic restrictions and eligible for discounts, sparking debate over "immunity discrimination."

7 Protests That Defined the Year in Russia and Former Soviet Republics

Anger in Khabarovsk, historic demonstrations in Belarus and revolution in Kyrgyzstan.

Russia’s Response to the Coronavirus: The 2020 Timeline

How the pandemic unfolded in Russia in 2020, from border closures to mass vaccination rollout.

New Alliance Hopes to Raise Awareness of Arctic Environmental Crisis

BRIES will unite scientists and journalists from five northern nations to sound the alarm.

The Arctic Open Film Festival Goes Online

Some of the festival's avant-garde films are already available to the wider audience.

‘Geek Teachers’ Innovate Russian Classrooms

A project founded by two young teachers has supported remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

What Does the Nagorno-Karabakh Deal Mean for Russia?

Regional analysts disagree on whether the latest ceasefire should be treated as a Russian geopolitical victory.

Scientists Fear Arctic Sea That Didn’t Freeze Heralds Trend

A Russian expert told The Moscow Times that sea-ice coverage is shrinking 10% each decade.

Binational Couples Separated by Russia's Coronavirus Travel Bans Push for Change

Complicated visa rules and the lack of legal recognition for non-married couples make reuniting in Russia almost impossible.