Russia is a place where a huge number of critically important stories are playing out in real time — and with a core editorial team of eight, there is no shortage of work to be done.

The country is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, making it ground zero for the unfolding climate crisis. Following a controversial vote, President Vladimir Putin now has the power to remain president until 2036. The city of Moscow is pioneering facial recognition surveillance systems that raise new questions of citizens’ rights to digital privacy.

At the same time, the challenges facing independent journalists here have never been greater, including politically motivated arrests, financial pressure, self-censorship and more.

Just last year, top journalists at the country’s leading independent business newspaper Vedomosti walked out after the installment of a new editor who banned them from publishing critical coverage of Putin and Gazprom. The pressure on independent journalists is real.

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With as little as $50 a year in support from each contributor, we could do more investigative journalism such as our reporting on the coronavirus and bringing you the stories of our Russian colleagues who are threatened and bullied on a daily basis, for telling the truth.

There is hope.
Those journalists from Vedomosti have since gone on to form a new media startup, VTimes, which is a partner to The Moscow Times.

And there is you. Since 2020 the number of contributors to The Moscow Times has grown significantly. Right now over 1,000 individuals are supporting our cause and have contributed over $60,000. Thank you!

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, The Moscow Times has been first with the big stories since day one. Our exclusives and on-the-ground reporting are read and shared by many high-profile journalists.

You value us for our independent news coverage, but also for our stories and podcasts on Russian daily life and language. You also appreciate our WEEKEND KITCHEN, our contemporary approach on traditional Russian recipes.

Have you tried this cabbage soup already?

Become a monthly contributor

A monthly contribution gives us most security throughout the year.
The average monthly contribution in 2020 was $9 a month.

In 2020, The Moscow Times excelled in reporting on the Covid-19 crisis in Russia with many groundbreaking stories.

2021 started off with the Navalny saga — and with key elections in the fall, this promises to be another eventful year for Russia. With a dedicated multinational team of reporters and editors, we are ready to bring you the most critical Russia news as it happens.

Become an annual contributor

With more support, we could produce better and more frequent multimedia projects that show the fascinating and vibrant diversity of modern Russia, its culture and curiosities.

In 2020, the average annual contribution was $80. A yearly contribution will be automatically renewed every year. With an annual contribution of $100 per donor we could send our journalists to Siberia and the Arctic to report from the frontlines of climate change.

Your contribution you make is on behalf of Stichting 2 Oktober, a Dutch foundation promoting independent journalism in Russia.

If you have questions about contributing, please send us an email.