https://www.themoscowtimes.com/news The Moscow Times offers everything you need to know about Russia: Breaking news, top stories, business, analysis, opinion, multimedia en-us Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:13:22 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/07/armenia-votes-in-test-of-pms-pivot-away-from-russia-a92949 In the weeks before the vote, Russia banned the import of several products from Armenia — seen as a move to heap economic pressure on the country. Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:53:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/07/armenia-votes-in-test-of-pms-pivot-away-from-russia-a92949 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/07/russian-drone-strikes-kill-two-in-ukraine-a92948 The strikes happened as world leaders gathered in London to discuss piling pressure on Moscow over its four-year war. Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:05:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/07/russian-drone-strikes-kill-two-in-ukraine-a92948 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/06/ukraine-fires-wave-of-drones-at-russia-on-last-day-of-key-economic-forum-a92947 Officials said 86 drones were shot down over the Leningrad region, near where Russia is hosting its key economic forum. Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:40:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/06/ukraine-fires-wave-of-drones-at-russia-on-last-day-of-key-economic-forum-a92947 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/cracks-in-russias-economy-shine-through-at-spief-a92943 Amid the spectacle of Russia's centerpiece business event, top executives and officials hinted at growing unease about the state of the economy. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 20:29:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/cracks-in-russias-economy-shine-through-at-spief-a92943 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/telegram-founder-durov-slams-russias-internet-censorship-as-a-boon-for-us-spying-a92944 “The Russian official who broke the internet and threw the country back by decades under the guise of ‘digital sovereignty’ deserves a national security medal — from the U.S.,” Durov wrote. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:46:40 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/telegram-founder-durov-slams-russias-internet-censorship-as-a-boon-for-us-spying-a92944 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/putin-talks-multipolarity-and-shrugs-off-economic-pain-at-russian-davos-a92945 The president’s address bore a striking similarity to his speech last year, once again touting BRICS and framing Russia’s economy as resilient. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:10:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/putin-talks-multipolarity-and-shrugs-off-economic-pain-at-russian-davos-a92945 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/russia-and-ukraine-exchange-370-pows-a92941 Both sides said that several civilians were also released as part of the swap, which the United Arab Emirates mediated. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:10:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/russia-and-ukraine-exchange-370-pows-a92941 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/i-touched-a-nerve-british-teenager-banned-from-russia-over-work-on-crypto-sanctions-evasion-a92940 Moscow hit 17-year-old Alexander Browder with an entry ban after he investigated Russia’s use of cryptocurrency networks to dodge sanctions. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:45:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/i-touched-a-nerve-british-teenager-banned-from-russia-over-work-on-crypto-sanctions-evasion-a92940 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/5-azerbaijani-crew-members-killed-in-sea-of-azov-cargo-ship-attack-a92939 The strike occurred in Taganrog Bay, a narrow northeastern arm of the Sea of Azov bordered by Russia’s Krasnodar and Rostov regions. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:53:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/5-azerbaijani-crew-members-killed-in-sea-of-azov-cargo-ship-attack-a92939 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/at-least-7-killed-in-overnight-russian-attacks-against-ukraine-a92938 Kyiv region Governor Mykola Kalashnyk said four people were killed in an attack on a factory that makes dairy products for children.  Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:00:43 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/at-least-7-killed-in-overnight-russian-attacks-against-ukraine-a92938 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/russian-insurers-offer-property-protection-against-drone-and-missile-damage-a92936 Policy terms from major firms AlfaStrakhovanie and Ingosstrakh now explicitly list “military actions” as covered perils for property damage or loss. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:58:54 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/russian-insurers-offer-property-protection-against-drone-and-missile-damage-a92936 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/apple-removes-kremlin-backed-messaging-app-max-from-app-store-a92927 Max said it reached out to Apple to resolve the issue and advised users to download the messenger from alternative app stores or directly from its official website. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:12:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/05/apple-removes-kremlin-backed-messaging-app-max-from-app-store-a92927 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/in-open-letter-to-putin-zelensky-calls-for-meeting-and-ceasefire-a92935 Putin has said he would only meet Zelensky to finalize an already agreed deal, rejecting calls to meet before then. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:36:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/in-open-letter-to-putin-zelensky-calls-for-meeting-and-ceasefire-a92935 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/fedorova-out-ex-rt-journalist-in-france-faces-increasing-scrutiny-a92926 Three years after RT France was shut down, its former chief remains a visible — and controversial — figure in French media. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:52:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/fedorova-out-ex-rt-journalist-in-france-faces-increasing-scrutiny-a92926 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/crimea-suspends-gasoline-sales-and-distribution-of-fuel-vouchers-a92932 Authorities in the annexed peninsula did not say when they expected sales to resume at local gas stations. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:33:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/crimea-suspends-gasoline-sales-and-distribution-of-fuel-vouchers-a92932 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/has-the-tide-turned-against-russia-in-the-ukraine-war-a92933 While Ukraine has gained some ground and intensified strikes deep inside Russia, experts caution that Kyiv is far from a strategic turning point. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:05:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/has-the-tide-turned-against-russia-in-the-ukraine-war-a92933 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/andrew-tate-is-in-russia-and-almost-everyone-hates-it-a92916 The face of the manosphere has achieved the seemingly impossible: he has united voices from across Russia's political spectrum. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/andrew-tate-is-in-russia-and-almost-everyone-hates-it-a92916 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/eu-countries-demand-stricter-visa-rules-for-russians-a92931 “I want there to be no more shopping weekends. I want there to be no more fancy trips to Europe while Ukrainians are dying on the battlefield,” Sweden’s Migration Minister Johan Forssell said. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:12:58 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/eu-countries-demand-stricter-visa-rules-for-russians-a92931 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/russian-post-resumes-us-mail-and-package-deliveries-a92930 The company said deliveries from the U.S. were restored in late May, with the first batch having already arrived in Russia. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:22:08 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/russian-post-resumes-us-mail-and-package-deliveries-a92930 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/moscow-to-host-us-russia-hockey-match-next-month-a92929 The president of AmCham Russia said the inaugural match will take place at the Kristall ice palace within Moscow’s Luzhniki Olympic Complex on July 1. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:10:32 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/moscow-to-host-us-russia-hockey-match-next-month-a92929 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/russian-central-bank-chief-skips-spief-after-calling-in-sick-a92925 A source told Vedomosti that Elvira Nabiullina actually skipped the economic forum to attend the funeral of her adviser Alexei Mozhin. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:24:49 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/russian-central-bank-chief-skips-spief-after-calling-in-sick-a92925 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/ukrainian-attacks-on-annexed-crimea-kill-4-a92924 The overnight strikes forced a major gas station chain to suspend the distribution of gasoline vouchers amid a fuel shortage in the region. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:57:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/04/ukrainian-attacks-on-annexed-crimea-kill-4-a92924 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/tanzania-president-visits-russia-as-western-ties-fray-a92919 Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government has been accused by the West of abuses including unlawful killings and mass detentions. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:08:22 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/tanzania-president-visits-russia-as-western-ties-fray-a92919 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/france-arrests-russian-captain-of-moscow-linked-tanker-prosecutor-a92918 The Kremlin has likened the seizure of the tanker to "international piracy." Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:55:20 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/france-arrests-russian-captain-of-moscow-linked-tanker-prosecutor-a92918 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/putin-allows-frances-totalenergies-to-sell-stake-in-arctic-lng-2-a92915 The buyer, NordLine, is a recently established subsidiary of Russia’s second-largest natural gas producer, Novatek, Kommersant reported. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:02:22 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/putin-allows-frances-totalenergies-to-sell-stake-in-arctic-lng-2-a92915 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/jailed-reporter-maria-ponomarenko-sentenced-to-nearly-2-more-years-in-prison-a92914 For a second time, Ponomarenko, a mother of two, was convicted for allegedly assaulting a prison guard. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:33:02 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/jailed-reporter-maria-ponomarenko-sentenced-to-nearly-2-more-years-in-prison-a92914 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/gas-stations-in-moscow-and-northern-russia-introduce-fuel-rationing-a92911 The Kremlin has acknowledged that gasoline production decreased “in some areas” of the country, but said it saw “no risks” of nationwide shortages. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:48:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/gas-stations-in-moscow-and-northern-russia-introduce-fuel-rationing-a92911 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/from-cognac-to-apricots-these-armenian-products-are-now-off-limits-in-russia-a92912 The restrictions come as Yerevan pursues closer European ties — and ahead of parliamentary elections in the South Caucasus country. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:11:32 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/from-cognac-to-apricots-these-armenian-products-are-now-off-limits-in-russia-a92912 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/ukrainian-drone-attack-on-bus-in-occupied-donetsk-kills-8-kremlin-installed-official-says-a92909 The coach had departed from Moscow and was traveling to Simferopol in annexed Crimea when it was hit in the town of Yenakiieve. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:58:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/ukrainian-drone-attack-on-bus-in-occupied-donetsk-kills-8-kremlin-installed-official-says-a92909 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/st-petersburg-economic-forum-opens-under-shadow-of-ukrainian-drone-strikes-a92910 Some 20,000 guests from 130 countries are expected to attend SPIEF, a flagship business and investment event known as the “Russian Davos.” Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:19:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/03/st-petersburg-economic-forum-opens-under-shadow-of-ukrainian-drone-strikes-a92910 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/manosphere-influencer-andrew-tate-arrives-in-moscow-a92907 The purpose of his visit was not immediately clear, but some have speculated that he could be planning to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:24:09 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/manosphere-influencer-andrew-tate-arrives-in-moscow-a92907 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/how-this-russian-nuclear-waste-dump-became-an-unlikely-victim-of-the-ukraine-war-a92902 Europe poured millions into cleaning up a hazardous nuclear waste site in Russia's Arctic. The invasion of Ukraine brought the effort to a halt. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:09:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/how-this-russian-nuclear-waste-dump-became-an-unlikely-victim-of-the-ukraine-war-a92902 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/supermarket-chain-lenta-acquires-rival-okey-a92906 Industry analysts expect the acquisition to consolidate Lenta’s dominance over the large-format grocery sector, placing 39% of Russia’s entire hypermarket industry under its corporate control. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:38:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/supermarket-chain-lenta-acquires-rival-okey-a92906 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/russian-billionaires-donate-3bln-to-state-treasury-as-deficit-widens-expert-a92904 Analysts said that while the money represents a fraction of total government spending, it can plug up to 15% of the country’s soaring budget shortfall. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:03:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/russian-billionaires-donate-3bln-to-state-treasury-as-deficit-widens-expert-a92904 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/russias-aircraft-output-more-than-doubles-as-drone-production-surges-a92905 Bloomberg said the aviation sector's rapid growth was being fueled in part by the mass production of inexpensive first-person-view (FPV) drones. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:24:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/russias-aircraft-output-more-than-doubles-as-drone-production-surges-a92905 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/fsb-alleges-mass-cyber-spying-involving-global-tech-firms-fastly-and-cloudflare-a92901 The FSB said the cyber operation was orchestrated by Western intelligence agencies and major tech companies to secretly hack and spy on the smartphones of high-ranking Russian officials. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:30:36 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/fsb-alleges-mass-cyber-spying-involving-global-tech-firms-fastly-and-cloudflare-a92901 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/russia-does-away-with-sexologists-a92899 The Health Ministry will eliminate sexology as a certified medical profession and introduce “healthy longevity physicians” this fall as part of a healthcare registry overhaul. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:03:08 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/russia-does-away-with-sexologists-a92899 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/at-least-21-killed-in-russian-strikes-across-ukraine-a92898 Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had targeted defense production plants and transportation infrastructure used by Ukraine’s military. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:06:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/02/at-least-21-killed-in-russian-strikes-across-ukraine-a92898 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/russia-summons-lithuanian-envoy-over-desecration-of-soviet-soldiers-graves-a92897 According to Lithuanian media, the exhumations are linked to a de-Sovietization law that came into force in 2023. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:15:24 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/russia-summons-lithuanian-envoy-over-desecration-of-soviet-soldiers-graves-a92897 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/annexed-crimeas-largest-gas-station-chain-suspends-fuel-vouchers-as-shortage-worsens-a92895 Kremlin-backed authorities in the peninsula warned that the current fuel shortage would likely last at least another month. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:24:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/annexed-crimeas-largest-gas-station-chain-suspends-fuel-vouchers-as-shortage-worsens-a92895 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/military-court-jails-altai-activist-5-years-for-inciting-terrorism-a92894 Aruna Arna rose to prominence last summer during protests against controversial municipal reforms in the republic of Altai. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:27:22 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/military-court-jails-altai-activist-5-years-for-inciting-terrorism-a92894 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/the-kids-arent-alright-rights-groups-warn-of-mounting-pressure-on-children-in-russia-a92889 Rights advocates and researchers are highlighting mounting political indoctrination and criminal prosecution facing children in Russia. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:10:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/the-kids-arent-alright-rights-groups-warn-of-mounting-pressure-on-children-in-russia-a92889 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/ukrainian-drone-attack-kills-1-in-belgorod-region-a92893 Authorities said the attack took place in the village of Pushkarnoye, located around 35 kilometers north of the border with Ukraine. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:05:28 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/ukrainian-drone-attack-kills-1-in-belgorod-region-a92893 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/over-160-displaced-kursk-residents-returned-from-ukraine-new-human-rights-official-says-a92892 Yana Lantratova said her office was verifying the exact number of Kursk residents still held in Ukraine, with plans to meet her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets “in the near future.” Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:32:28 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/over-160-displaced-kursk-residents-returned-from-ukraine-new-human-rights-official-says-a92892 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/putin-orders-fsb-and-government-to-make-critical-services-available-during-internet-outages-a92890 Putin mandated that access to healthcare platforms, the Gosuslugi government services portal and electronic payment networks must remain available while broader network restrictions are in place. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:42:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/putin-orders-fsb-and-government-to-make-critical-services-available-during-internet-outages-a92890 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/russia-restricts-fish-imports-from-armenia-as-diplomatic-tensions-rise-a92888 The measure adds to a growing list of food and beverage restrictions as Yerevan pursues ties with the European Union. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:37:41 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/russia-restricts-fish-imports-from-armenia-as-diplomatic-tensions-rise-a92888 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/russia-bans-jet-fuel-exports-until-late-november-a92887 The ban comes as Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have led to slumps in domestic production and gasoline shortages in some places. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:03:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/russia-bans-jet-fuel-exports-until-late-november-a92887 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/france-seizes-shadow-fleet-tanker-near-brittany-a92886 It marks the fourth time since September that France has boarded vessels believed to belong to Russia's so-called "shadow fleet." Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:44:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/01/france-seizes-shadow-fleet-tanker-near-brittany-a92886 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/05/31/kyiv-says-struck-russian-pipeline-and-oil-depot-a92885 Kyiv has stepped up strikes on Moscow's infrastructure in the fifth year of war, hitting targets as far as the Urals in recent weeks. Sun, 31 May 2026 19:10:29 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/05/31/kyiv-says-struck-russian-pipeline-and-oil-depot-a92885 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/05/31/drone-hits-captured-nuclear-plant-in-ukraine-iaea-a92884 Close to the front line in southern Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia is the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe. Sun, 31 May 2026 12:47:07 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/05/31/drone-hits-captured-nuclear-plant-in-ukraine-iaea-a92884