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In-Depth

election preview

Russia’s Regional Elections, Explained

The vote is set to be a key test for the pro-Putin ruling party — as well as a measure of Russians' reaction to the Navalny poisoning.
ELITE APARTMENTS

Investigation: Russian Elites’ Connections to Bulgaria’s Largest ‘Crime Group’

Russian defense figures bought luxury apartments in a Black Sea resort controlled by an outfit named one of the country’s largest crime syndicates.
opinion Alexander Baunov

Where Navalny’s Poisoning Is Taking Russia, at Home and Abroad

Far from a purely internal or external affair, Alexei Navalny’s poisoning has shaken Russia’s domestic politics as well as its foreign relations.
opinion Nigel Gould-Davies

Putin and the Belarusian Question

Putin will seek to do as much as possible, but as little as necessary, to suppress peaceful change in Belarus.
opinion Marianna Belenkaya

In Libya’s War, Russia Is Directionless — and Falling Behind

Russia can only achieve so much without a clear idea of what its interests in Libya are.
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

Six Months Into the Coronavirus Outbreak, Russia’s Statistics Still Provide More Questions Than Answers

Analysis of excess fatalities show regions may be underreporting deaths from Covid-19.
KHABAROVSK DISPATCH

Salmon Is Disappearing From Russia’s Amur River. It’s Taking Local Tradition With It.

The loss of the staple fish has bolstered anti-Moscow sentiment, with locals blaming federal authorities for supporting commercial fisheries.
opinion Alexander Baunov

The Perils of Perestroika: Why Putin Chose to Prolong His Rule

Observers must examine the president’s views on Russia’s 20th-century history and the legacy he inherited.
RELIGIOUS RIFT

Fire and Brimstone: The Rise and Fall of Russia’s Coronavirus-Denying Rebel Priest

The Russian Orthodox Church is trying to remove defrocked, ultraconservative Father Sergei Romanov from a monastery he has taken over by force.
SEA CHANGE

A Wave of Sexual Harassment Claims Is Rocking Russia’s Independent Media

Novaya Gazeta has blazed a trail by instituting a sexual harassment policy after taking internal accusations of misconduct seriously.
THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNOR

Russia’s Khabarovsk Region Tasted Democracy. Now Voters Feel It Was Ripped Away.

Protesters told The Moscow Times they will continue rallying until their governor’s murder trial is held in Khabarovsk.
opinion Natalia Paramonova

Will EU Green Deal Force Russia to Clean Up Its Act?

Russia’s inaction on climate issues could lead to new problems in its relationship with the EU.
SHOW TRIALS

What a Growing List of ‘Instructional’ Court Cases in Russia Have in Common

A flurry of recent rulings are meant to identify “enemies of the state” for the public, rights defenders say.
standing in solidarity

Crusading Ex-Cop's Arrest Sparks Police Pushback in Russia

The rare public outcry among Russia's 750,000-strong police force could eventually spell trouble for the Kremlin.
ALARM BELLS

As Russia’s Constitution Reform Vote Kicks Off, Election Watchdog Decries ‘Manipulative’ Process

In an interview, Grigory Melkonyants of the Golos election monitor said the vote is set to be the “least transparent” in years.
opinion Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon

George Floyd, 'Brat 2' and Russian Depictions of African Americans

The recent 20th-anniversary showing of the cult film "Brat 2" included footage from the American BLM protests. It demonstrates the more significant issue...
Baltic Pollution

Lies and Disinformation Cover Up Russia's Environmental Assault on the Baltic Sea

Pollution linked to animal farming in northwestern Russia has contaminated rivers and killed large areas of seabed.
SHADES OF GRAY

Russia Is Boasting About Low Coronavirus Deaths. The Numbers Are Deceiving.

Increasing transparency by Russian officials shows that 233% more coronavirus-positive patients died in two regions than reported in the total count.
opinion Tatyana Stanovaya

The Putin Regime Cracks

Vladimir Putin has become increasingly disengaged from routine matters of governing and prefers to delegate most issues.
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