Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Articles by Pjotr Sauer

WHITE BEAUTY

How North Korea’s Leader Buys Purebred White Horses From Russia’s Stud Farms

The Moscow Times spoke to horse breeders and agents who have sold many of Russia’s famous Orlov Trotters and a Welsh pony to Kim Jong-Un.
Great Escape

Russians Escape Coronavirus Quarantine ‘Cages’

Three patients have fled clinics. It’s not clear if their actions were illegal.
STRATEGIC PLAYER

How Mishustin Rose to the Top: Old Ties, Savvy and a Knack for Systems

Vladimir Putin shocked the world when he named a little-known tax chief his number two. We delve into the new Russian prime minister’s background.
2020 LOOK AHEAD

Foreign Policy Experts Map Russia’s Plans for 2020

We ask seven experts to predict what Russia has in store for the world next year.
Concentration Camps

Uighur Twins’ Asylum Plea Rejected as Deportation to China Looms

The brothers fear they will be placed in a concentration camp for Muslim minorities.
Growing Pains

In Push for Africa, Russia's Wagner Mercenaries Are 'Out of Their Depth' in Mozambique

The secretive Kremlin-linked group is growing in scope and ambition, winning contracts normally reserved for local security firms.
CLIMATE CRISIS

11,000 Scientists Warn of ‘Untold Suffering’ From Climate Change. Only 4 of Them Are Russian.

The Moscow Times spoke to one of the Russian scientists about his reasons for signing the open letter and his fears for the future.
Wagner Group

7 Kremlin-Linked Mercenaries Killed in Mozambique in October — Military Sources

Army sources told The Moscow Times about two separate incidents involving ambushes by Islamic State-linked insurgents.
RE-EDUCATION CAMPS

‘If They Send Us Back to China We Will Die’: Uighur Brothers Fight Deportation From Russia

Twins seeking refugee status are desperate to avoid the fate of a friend, who tells of his time in a re-education camp in China for the first time.
concerned clergy

Russian Priest Who Signed Open Letter in Support of Protesters Says 'Government Threats' Not the Answer

"A state devoid of justice is no better than a band of robbers."
No return

Russian Billionaire Car Dealer Doesn’t Fear Extradition From Austria

Sergei Petrov faces charges in Russia of illegally transferring money from the country.
Nuclear Fallout

Arkhangelsk Doctors Weren’t Warned About Radiation, Surgeon Confirms in First Public Account

“My colleagues found themselves in front of the victims with jack s***, not even a respirator," the surgeon said.
radioactive anger

Exclusive: Russian Doctors Say They Weren’t Warned Patients Were Nuclear Accident Victims

One doctor was reportedly later found to have a radioactive isotope in their muscle tissue.
'mass unrest'

A Student Arrest Puts Elite Moscow University to the Test

The Higher School of Economics, a bastion of free thinking since the 1990s, has become caught up in the opposition protest movement.
LGBT fears

Russian LGBT Activists Fear More Violence After Brutal Murder of Campaigner

Human rights groups fear Yelena Grigoriyeva's killing will “normalize” violence against sexual minorities in the country.
Marathon Man

Putin’s Annual Marathon Phone-In Will Focus His Attention Homeward

Protests, pensions and poverty will overshadow geopolitics during Putin's annual live call-in show Thursday.
Article 228

A Change in Russia’s Draconian Drug Laws Could Be on the Horizon

The fiasco surrounding the case of investigative journalist Ivan Golunov is bringing the country’s controversial Article 228 into the spotlight.
Golunov's Arrest

Why Russia’s Leading Papers Joined Forces In Solidarity With Arrested Journalist

The Moscow Times spoke with the editors of Vedomosti, RBC and Kommersant about their historic headline.
Leaving Afghanistan

Director of ‘Unpatriotic’ Movie Says Russia Not Ready for Truth About War

As the country prepares for its annual Victory Day parade, a movie on the Soviet war in Afghanistan is raising uncomfortable questions.
Pussy riot

Back In Moscow, Pyotr Verzilov Continues to Search for Answers

Six months after surviving an apparent poison attack, the activist is undeterred.
Vodkagate

'No Idea,' Says Russian Vodka Boss Whose Supply Was Bound for North Korea

There were suspicions the cargo was destined for Kim Jong Un and 'leaders of his armed forces.'
opinion
Pjotr Sauer

Rich Russians and Tax Havens: The Moscow Times Sits Down With Oliver Bullough

Oliver Bullough is a journalist and the author of the acclaimed book ‘Moneyland.’
news

10 Russian Women to Watch

We've lined up ten upcoming stars in music, business and politics.
Espionage

The Unsung Reporters Who Challenged the Kremlin’s Skripal Story

Journalists under the Kremlin’s gaze are reminding readers they still have some fight left.
Espionage

Exclusive: Russian Man Identified in Dutch Hacking Probe Played in 'Spy Football Team' — Source

“Our team is known as the ‘security services’ team,’” Yershkov said. “Almost everyone works for an intelligence agency.”
Economy

More Than 150 Russian Sailors Have Been Stranded in Ports Worldwide

Over 150 Russian sailors have been stranded in port cities across the world in alarming conditions.