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 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:47:16 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/could-russias-wartime-debt-boom-trigger-a-banking-crisis-a93271 Banks are increasingly exposed as high interest rates and slowing growth make it harder for companies and households to repay their debts. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/could-russias-wartime-debt-boom-trigger-a-banking-crisis-a93271 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/azerbaijan-and-russia-to-restore-direct-flights-halted-after-deadly-plane-crash-a93278 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that both countries have now “resolved all issues” connected to the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet in late 2024. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:21:53 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/azerbaijan-and-russia-to-restore-direct-flights-halted-after-deadly-plane-crash-a93278 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/kremlin-rejects-trumps-election-interference-claim-a93277 “Russia has never interfered in the domestic affairs of other countries,” top spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:27:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/kremlin-rejects-trumps-election-interference-claim-a93277 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/a-lawmaker-said-a-domestic-violence-law-would-undermine-families-then-came-the-backlash-a93269 Women have taken to social media to criticize State Duma lawmaker Nina Ostanina's claim that a domestic violence law would discourage men from marrying. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:39:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/a-lawmaker-said-a-domestic-violence-law-would-undermine-families-then-came-the-backlash-a93269 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/moscow-region-court-fines-nadezhdin-13-for-extremist-navalny-photo-a93276 The conviction means Nadezhdin is now banned from collecting signatures to appear on the ballot for State Duma elections this September. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:37:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/moscow-region-court-fines-nadezhdin-13-for-extremist-navalny-photo-a93276 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/pro-kremlin-blogger-arrested-for-war-fakes-months-after-denouncing-putin-a93275 In March, Ilya Remeslo shocked both supporters and critics when he publicly denounced President Vladimir Putin in a scathing manifesto. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:38:38 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/pro-kremlin-blogger-arrested-for-war-fakes-months-after-denouncing-putin-a93275 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/my-sweet-child-filmmaker-reconstructs-the-life-of-the-mother-he-lost-in-the-mh17-disaster-a93263 Ahead of the anniversary of MH17, Maarten de Schutter reflected on turning his family archives into cinema and confronting grief through filmmaking. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/my-sweet-child-filmmaker-reconstructs-the-life-of-the-mother-he-lost-in-the-mh17-disaster-a93263 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/agriculture-minister-admits-to-rough-patches-as-fuel-shortages-squeeze-some-farmers-a93274 Putin issued a directive last month ordering a strict fuel delivery schedule for farms to counter the impact of Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:51:01 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/17/agriculture-minister-admits-to-rough-patches-as-fuel-shortages-squeeze-some-farmers-a93274 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/nadezhdin-banned-from-leaving-russia-ahead-of-court-hearing-a93268 Boris Nadezhdin, who gained prominence during a failed 2024 presidential bid on a pro-peace platform, was designated as a “foreign agent” last week. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:39:13 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/nadezhdin-banned-from-leaving-russia-ahead-of-court-hearing-a93268 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/things-should-get-easier-now-russian-military-bloggers-cheer-ukraines-defense-minister-shake-up-a93267 Pro-Kremlin military bloggers called Mykhailo Fedorov “far too smart and effective an enemy.” Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:57:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/things-should-get-easier-now-russian-military-bloggers-cheer-ukraines-defense-minister-shake-up-a93267 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/gazproms-shares-sink-to-record-low-a93266 Gazprom’s stock tumbled more than 5% to a low of 83.98 rubles per share around noon Moscow time, breaking past its previous record low of 84 rubles per share set during the 2008 global financial crisis.  Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:45:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/gazproms-shares-sink-to-record-low-a93266 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/russia-and-ukraine-exchange-bodies-of-over-530-fallen-soldiers-a93265 Ukraine received 501 bodies of its soldiers while handing Russia the remains of 31 soldiers, Shamsail Saraliyev, a State Duma lawmaker, told RBC. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:57:44 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/russia-and-ukraine-exchange-bodies-of-over-530-fallen-soldiers-a93265 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/hse-university-offers-free-tuition-to-applicants-who-sign-military-contracts-a93264 HSE said tuition-free spots would also be offered to applicants who fail to meet the university’s entrance exam requirements if they enlist in the army. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:30:31 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/hse-university-offers-free-tuition-to-applicants-who-sign-military-contracts-a93264 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/vk-sells-rustore-to-developers-ceo-following-eu-sanctions-a93262 RuStore was created as a domestic Android alternative, stepping in after Apple and Google limited access for Russian users. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:35:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/vk-sells-rustore-to-developers-ceo-following-eu-sanctions-a93262 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/ukrainian-drone-attack-killed-chief-engineer-at-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-russia-says-a93261 Russian authorities said a Ukrainian drone had struck a service car between the plant's site and the town of Enerhodar, killing the engineer, Alexander Yakovlev, and the driver. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:36:18 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/ukrainian-drone-attack-killed-chief-engineer-at-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-russia-says-a93261 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/at-least-3-killed-in-ukrainian-attacks-across-russia-a93260 The Defense Ministry said it intercepted 375 Ukrainian drones across Russia and Crimea between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:37:27 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/16/at-least-3-killed-in-ukrainian-attacks-across-russia-a93260 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russias-mfa-urges-citizens-in-gulf-countries-to-take-precautions-as-iran-and-us-exchange-strikes-a93255 The Kremlin said it “regrets” the latest escalation in the Middle East, which it said is preventing Washington from focusing on its role as mediator in stalled Ukraine peace negotiations. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:47:33 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russias-mfa-urges-citizens-in-gulf-countries-to-take-precautions-as-iran-and-us-exchange-strikes-a93255 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/moscow-court-rejects-jailed-former-deputy-defense-ministers-bid-to-fight-in-ukraine-a93253 Timur Ivanov, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison on corruption charges, had sought to sign a military contract — a common path for Russian convicts to secure an early release in exchange for combat duty. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:10:19 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/moscow-court-rejects-jailed-former-deputy-defense-ministers-bid-to-fight-in-ukraine-a93253 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russian-couple-detained-in-istanbul-for-reading-bible-in-hagia-sofia-a93252 The sixth-century church and UNESCO site lost its museum status in 2020 and was reconverted to a mosque. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:02:12 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russian-couple-detained-in-istanbul-for-reading-bible-in-hagia-sofia-a93252 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russian-attack-on-odesa-kills-3-as-ukraine-strikes-ships-in-black-sea-a93251 Ukraine's top drone commander said Wednesday that Kyiv hit 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea overnight. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:29:33 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russian-attack-on-odesa-kills-3-as-ukraine-strikes-ships-in-black-sea-a93251 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russia-and-us-agree-to-extend-iss-operations-through-2030-a93250 The extension announcement came shortly after a Russian Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS earlier Tuesday. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:41:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/15/russia-and-us-agree-to-extend-iss-operations-through-2030-a93250 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/switch-to-biking-to-save-fuel-stavropol-governor-tells-officials-as-shortages-persist-a93247 From Tuesday, members of the regional government will need the governor's personal approval to travel outside the regional capital, Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:31:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/switch-to-biking-to-save-fuel-stavropol-governor-tells-officials-as-shortages-persist-a93247 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/russia-china-trade-grows-256-in-first-half-of-2026-a93246 The rebound marks a reversal from 2025, when bilateral trade fell for the first time in five years. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:14:22 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/russia-china-trade-grows-256-in-first-half-of-2026-a93246 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/state-of-emergency-declared-in-parts-of-sverdlovsk-region-over-severe-storms-and-flooding-a93244 Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms struck the Ural Mountains region last Friday, knocking out electricity across 25 towns and villages. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:27:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/state-of-emergency-declared-in-parts-of-sverdlovsk-region-over-severe-storms-and-flooding-a93244 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/japan-admits-need-to-counter-espionage-after-russian-den-of-spies-report-a93245 The New York Times reported that thanks to "weak espionage laws," Moscow was using Japan as a hub for intelligence gathering and procurement of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:44:41 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/japan-admits-need-to-counter-espionage-after-russian-den-of-spies-report-a93245 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/st-petersburg-election-candidate-jailed-10-days-for-old-social-media-posts-a93242 Yaroslav Kostrov, who leads a group campaigning to preserve St. Petersburg’s historic architecture, is now barred from seeking elected office for one year due to his conviction. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:12:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/st-petersburg-election-candidate-jailed-10-days-for-old-social-media-posts-a93242 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/russia-prepares-to-reroute-grain-exports-from-sea-of-azov-after-ukrainian-attacks-a93241 Shipping in the Sea of Azov remained restricted on Tuesday, according to Reuters sources, marking the biggest disruption to the Black Sea grain trade since the start of the war in Ukraine. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:28:44 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/russia-prepares-to-reroute-grain-exports-from-sea-of-azov-after-ukrainian-attacks-a93241 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/fsb-accuses-ukrainian-rapper-of-organizing-drone-attack-on-defense-enterprise-a93240 Ukrainian rapper Kyivstoner denied the Russian allegations in a series of posts on Instagram. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:53:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/fsb-accuses-ukrainian-rapper-of-organizing-drone-attack-on-defense-enterprise-a93240 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/ukraine-hits-oil-refineries-in-krasnodar-and-bashkortostan-a93239 Ukraine has struck most of Russia’s oil refineries in recent months, leading to acute fuel shortages in some parts of the country. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:35:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/14/ukraine-hits-oil-refineries-in-krasnodar-and-bashkortostan-a93239 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/russia-summons-german-ambassador-accuses-berlin-of-supporting-ukrainian-attacks-a93237 The Russian Foreign Ministry also criticized Germany's stance toward third countries' relations with Russia, including Russia-China ties. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:36:01 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/russia-summons-german-ambassador-accuses-berlin-of-supporting-ukrainian-attacks-a93237 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/in-the-north-caucasus-a-constitutional-reform-reopens-centuries-old-wounds-a93186 Civil society actors in Kabardino-Balkaria and members of the Circassian diaspora believe the changes would further erode the republic’s autonomy.  Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:32:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/in-the-north-caucasus-a-constitutional-reform-reopens-centuries-old-wounds-a93186 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/europe-buys-record-amount-of-lng-from-russias-largest-producer-ft-a93236 The purchases mark an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and comes despite the EU’s plan to completely phase out all imports of Russian LNG by the end of the year. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:51:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/europe-buys-record-amount-of-lng-from-russias-largest-producer-ft-a93236 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/police-briefly-detain-boris-nadezhdin-north-of-moscow-a93235 Police charged him with the administrative offense of displaying “extremist” symbols for sharing a link to a video that contained an image of the late opposition activist Alexei Navalny. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:22:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/police-briefly-detain-boris-nadezhdin-north-of-moscow-a93235 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/eu-sanctions-vk-for-developing-messenger-app-max-a93234 Brussels accused VK of providing “technical support for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition” in Russia. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:14:53 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/eu-sanctions-vk-for-developing-messenger-app-max-a93234 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/world-table-tennis-body-reinstates-russian-players-with-flag-and-anthem-a93233 The move follows the International Olympic Committee’s decision last week to provisionally lift its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:27:11 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/world-table-tennis-body-reinstates-russian-players-with-flag-and-anthem-a93233 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/4-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-attacks-across-russia-a93230 Military and regional authorities said Russian air defense units downed hundreds of drones between Sunday night and Monday morning. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:08:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/4-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-attacks-across-russia-a93230 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/fsb-claims-it-foiled-ukrainian-attacks-on-military-air-bases-deep-inside-russia-a93229 The FSB said Ukraine sought to target the Shagol air base in the Chelyabinsk region and the Ukrainka air base in the Amur region. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:51:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/13/fsb-claims-it-foiled-ukrainian-attacks-on-military-air-bases-deep-inside-russia-a93229 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/9-dead-as-russia-ukraine-exchange-strikes-a93228 The strikes came a day before Ukraine's allies were set to meet in Paris for talks on pressuring Russia to end its war. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 20:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/9-dead-as-russia-ukraine-exchange-strikes-a93228 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/russia-says-ukraine-struck-tanker-in-sea-of-azov-a93227 Authorities said there was no risk of an oil spill because the vessel was empty. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:56:08 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/russia-says-ukraine-struck-tanker-in-sea-of-azov-a93227 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/russia-eyes-mid-july-start-for-commercial-logistics-hub-at-syrian-port-officials-say-a93226 The project is being developed by Syrian logistics company Rus Line with firms under the Russian-Syrian Business Council. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 11:28:38 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/russia-eyes-mid-july-start-for-commercial-logistics-hub-at-syrian-port-officials-say-a93226 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/8-dead-dozens-wounded-as-russia-strikes-ukraine-with-missiles-drones-a93225 Russia launched six ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 121 drones, Ukraine’s air force said. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 10:17:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/12/8-dead-dozens-wounded-as-russia-strikes-ukraine-with-missiles-drones-a93225 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/11/one-killed-in-drone-strike-on-vessels-in-taganrog-bay-russian-authorities-say-a93224 Regional authorities said more than one and a half dozen drones were destroyed during the attack. Sat, 11 Jul 2026 12:28:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/11/one-killed-in-drone-strike-on-vessels-in-taganrog-bay-russian-authorities-say-a93224 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/anti-war-politician-boris-nadezhdin-branded-foreign-agent-a93222 The designation comes nearly a month after Nadezhdin submitted documents to run for Russia’s lower-house State Duma in September. Foreign agents are barred from running for any elected office under Russian law. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:39:36 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/anti-war-politician-boris-nadezhdin-branded-foreign-agent-a93222 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/russian-regions-begin-odd-even-gasoline-rationing-a93220 Drivers with license plates starting with an odd digit are allowed to buy gasoline on odd-numbered days of the month. Those with license plates starting with an even digit — with zero considered an even number — are restricted to even-numbered days. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:08:58 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/russian-regions-begin-odd-even-gasoline-rationing-a93220 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/moscow-in-talks-with-turkey-about-possible-resale-of-missile-systems-a93221 Turkish media reported that Turkey could announce it will resell the S-400s to one of the Gulf nations as soon as Friday in order to persuade the United States to lift sanctions on Ankara. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:46:10 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/moscow-in-talks-with-turkey-about-possible-resale-of-missile-systems-a93221 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/pro-war-blogger-thirteenth-arrested-for-inciting-hatred-telegram-channel-claims-a93219 Yegor Guzenko’s Telegram channel, which has nearly 230,000 subscribers, said he may also be facing “extremism” charges. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:16:10 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/pro-war-blogger-thirteenth-arrested-for-inciting-hatred-telegram-channel-claims-a93219 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/russia-says-it-will-widen-buffer-zone-in-response-to-ukrainian-strikes-a93217 “The more Kyiv tries to escalate, the more we’re going to keep expanding this broader security zone,” Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:40:44 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/russia-says-it-will-widen-buffer-zone-in-response-to-ukrainian-strikes-a93217 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/new-satellite-imagery-shows-renewed-oil-leak-from-2024-black-sea-wreck-a93216 The original wreck released thousands of metric tons of heavy fuel, known as mazut, in what was described as the Black Sea region’s worst environmental disaster in decades. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:18:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/new-satellite-imagery-shows-renewed-oil-leak-from-2024-black-sea-wreck-a93216 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/ukraine-strikes-oil-refinery-in-southern-russia-a93215 Authorities in the city of Taganrog evacuated some residents from their homes following a separate strike on a seaport. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:32:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/10/ukraine-strikes-oil-refinery-in-southern-russia-a93215 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/09/regions-calling-russias-fuel-producing-hub-struggles-to-shake-off-supply-crisis-a93210 Even Bashkortostan, Russia's leading producer of diesel and gasoline, is feeling the impact of this summer's fuel crisis. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:33:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/09/regions-calling-russias-fuel-producing-hub-struggles-to-shake-off-supply-crisis-a93210