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, 29 Aug 2026 02:37:55 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/russian-military-conducts-mobile-icbm-test-a93601 The missile was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the northwestern Arkhangelsk region, the Defense Ministry said. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:04:53 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/russian-military-conducts-mobile-icbm-test-a93601 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/moscow-court-jails-ex-ukrainian-presidential-aide-oleksiy-arestovych-11-years-in-absentia-a93600 A judge found Arestovych guilty of spreading false information about the Russian military and publicly calling for terrorism. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:22:17 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/moscow-court-jails-ex-ukrainian-presidential-aide-oleksiy-arestovych-11-years-in-absentia-a93600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/sverdlovsk-region-court-bars-yabloko-from-regional-assembly-race-a93599 Sverdlovsk is the fifth region where Yabloko has had its list of candidates barred from running in the regional assembly races in September. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 16:18:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/sverdlovsk-region-court-bars-yabloko-from-regional-assembly-race-a93599 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/access-restored-to-wikipedia-in-russia-after-overnight-outage-a93598 The tech platform Habr reported that Wikipedia was inaccessible in Russia for eight hours. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:30:39 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/access-restored-to-wikipedia-in-russia-after-overnight-outage-a93598 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/kremlin-says-ukraine-peace-talks-on-deep-pause-a93597 The New York Times reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow this week to push the Kremlin towards a peace deal. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:58:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/kremlin-says-ukraine-peace-talks-on-deep-pause-a93597 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/calls-to-rebury-a-siberian-mummy-unearth-decades-of-distorted-history-a93588 Shamans claim a Pandora’s box of disaster and conflict was opened when the remains of the “Altai Princess” were excavated three decades ago. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:35:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/calls-to-rebury-a-siberian-mummy-unearth-decades-of-distorted-history-a93588 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/lukashenko-to-meet-putin-on-saturday-a93596 Lukashenko arrived in Russia on Thursday, with his office saying he and Putin will discuss “key areas of bilateral cooperation.” Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:09:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/lukashenko-to-meet-putin-on-saturday-a93596 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/ukrainian-drone-attack-kills-one-sparks-fire-at-yaroslavl-oil-refinery-a93595 The Slavneft-Yanos refinery has been attacked multiple times this year as Ukraine targets Russian oil and fuel infrastructure. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:17:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/ukrainian-drone-attack-kills-one-sparks-fire-at-yaroslavl-oil-refinery-a93595 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/st-petersburg-businessman-ilya-traber-released-from-detention-fontanka-a93594 The businessman still faces charges of organized murder and arms trafficking, local media reported. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:26:49 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/st-petersburg-businessman-ilya-traber-released-from-detention-fontanka-a93594 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/car-bomb-kills-military-officer-in-st-petersburg-a93586 The lieutenant colonel’s wife was also in the car at the moment of the blast and was badly injured, local media reported. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:20:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/car-bomb-kills-military-officer-in-st-petersburg-a93586 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/russia-expels-romanian-diplomat-in-tit-for-tat-move-a93593 Romania ordered the expulsion of a Russian diplomat last month following a series of airspace violations involving drones. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:50:55 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/russia-expels-romanian-diplomat-in-tit-for-tat-move-a93593 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/totalenergies-exits-arctic-lng-2-project-a93592 The French energy company transferred its 10% stake in the project to a subsidiary of Novatek. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:31:05 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/totalenergies-exits-arctic-lng-2-project-a93592 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/ex-kremlin-loyalist-declared-mentally-fit-to-stand-trial-for-putin-criticism-a93591 Ilya Remeslo faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian military. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:15:16 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/ex-kremlin-loyalist-declared-mentally-fit-to-stand-trial-for-putin-criticism-a93591 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/russian-forces-inching-closer-to-slovyansk-in-eastern-ukraines-donetsk-region-gerasimov-says-a93589 Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Russian troops are positioned just 4 kilometers from the eastern outskirts of Slovyansk. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:35:03 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/russian-forces-inching-closer-to-slovyansk-in-eastern-ukraines-donetsk-region-gerasimov-says-a93589 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/death-toll-from-fire-at-amur-gas-chemical-complex-rises-to-15-a93590 When the fire broke out this week, the complex was undergoing final testing ahead of its planned launch in early 2027. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:17:06 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/death-toll-from-fire-at-amur-gas-chemical-complex-rises-to-15-a93590 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/where-can-russian-athletes-compete-after-the-iocs-provisional-ban-lift-a93324 The Moscow Times has compiled a list detailing where and how Russian athletes can currently compete on the international stage. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:45:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/where-can-russian-athletes-compete-after-the-iocs-provisional-ban-lift-a93324 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/russian-spy-chief-says-meeting-with-cia-director-was-nothing-special-a93585 Sergei Naryshkin said he and Ratcliffe discussed “a range of issues that fall within the scope” of American and Russian intelligence agencies. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:47:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/russian-spy-chief-says-meeting-with-cia-director-was-nothing-special-a93585 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/at-least-8-russians-missing-in-nepal-following-deadly-himalayan-flood-a93584 The Russian embassy said it is coordinating with Nepalese authorities to establish the location of the missing Russians as search operations continue across the devastated valley. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:26 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/at-least-8-russians-missing-in-nepal-following-deadly-himalayan-flood-a93584 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/ukrainian-drones-attack-ozon-warehouses-in-overnight-barrage-a93583 The online retailer said neither of the two facilities targeted by Ukrainian drones appeared to have suffered significant damage. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:24:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/27/ukrainian-drones-attack-ozon-warehouses-in-overnight-barrage-a93583 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/russians-are-rushing-for-cash-should-the-kremlin-be-worried-a93555 Households and businesses have added $25.3 billion to their cash holdings so far this year, marking the largest increase since the start of the war. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:26:35 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/russians-are-rushing-for-cash-should-the-kremlin-be-worried-a93555 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/trump-confirms-cia-directors-moscow-trip-calling-it-semi-routine-a93582 The U.S. president expressed hope that the spy chief’s unannounced visit to Russia could help end the war in Ukraine. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:16:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/trump-confirms-cia-directors-moscow-trip-calling-it-semi-routine-a93582 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/moscow-to-summon-romanian-envoy-after-russian-diplomat-expelled-over-drone-incursions-a93581 Bucharest declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata over repeated drone incursions into Romanian airspace last month. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:31:30 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/moscow-to-summon-romanian-envoy-after-russian-diplomat-expelled-over-drone-incursions-a93581 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/nkhp-grain-export-terminal-says-repairs-after-ukrainian-attack-may-take-4-months-a93580 NKHP is one of three grain terminals at Russia's main Black Sea export port of Novorossiysk. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:18:58 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/nkhp-grain-export-terminal-says-repairs-after-ukrainian-attack-may-take-4-months-a93580 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/fire-at-amur-gas-chemical-complex-kills-7-workers-injures-dozens-more-a93573 The Amur Gas Chemical Complex is a $10 billion joint venture between Russian petrochemical giant Sibur and China’s state-owned oil and gas company Sinopec. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/fire-at-amur-gas-chemical-complex-kills-7-workers-injures-dozens-more-a93573 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/russian-election-commission-registers-16k-war-veterans-as-candidates-in-upcoming-races-a93579 At least 200 veterans have been nominated for seats in the 450-member State Duma, Central Election Commission chief Ella Pamfilova said.  Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:42:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/russian-election-commission-registers-16k-war-veterans-as-candidates-in-upcoming-races-a93579 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/pskov-court-bars-yabloko-from-regional-assembly-race-a93578 The regional ban follows Russia’s Supreme Court ruling last week to reject Yabloko’s final appeal against a nationwide ban barring its candidate list from the State Duma elections next month. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:26:59 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/pskov-court-bars-yabloko-from-regional-assembly-race-a93578 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/3-killed-in-russia-as-ukraine-sets-wildberries-warehouse-and-oil-refinery-ablaze-a93577 Officials in the city of Kotovsk asked residents to avoid going outside over the next two days due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:50:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/26/3-killed-in-russia-as-ukraine-sets-wildberries-warehouse-and-oil-refinery-ablaze-a93577 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/annexed-crimea-declares-regional-wildfire-emergency-a93576 A wildfire near Yalta has continued to grow after it broke out last week following a Ukrainian drone attack on the peninsula. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:34:33 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/annexed-crimea-declares-regional-wildfire-emergency-a93576 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/cia-director-makes-rare-visit-to-moscow-a93574 The Kremlin said the purpose of John Ratcliffe’s trip to the Russian capital was for “contacts between security services.” Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:31:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/cia-director-makes-rare-visit-to-moscow-a93574 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/russia-steps-up-recruitment-of-women-for-ukraine-war-vot-tak-a93554 At least 50 Russian women serving in the war have been killed, with the annual death toll rising the longer the war has gone on, the outlet found. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:49:51 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/russia-steps-up-recruitment-of-women-for-ukraine-war-vot-tak-a93554 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/senior-vatican-official-calls-for-peace-in-ukraine-after-meeting-with-lavrov-in-moscow-a93575 The talks on Tuesday between Archbishop Paul Gallagher and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov marked the first in-person meeting between the two diplomats since 2021. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:18:27 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/senior-vatican-official-calls-for-peace-in-ukraine-after-meeting-with-lavrov-in-moscow-a93575 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/st-petersburgs-gazprom-arena-cancels-ye-concerts-a93572 Say Agency, the organizer of the October performances, said they would still take place despite Gazprom Arena’s withdrawal. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:37:47 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/st-petersburgs-gazprom-arena-cancels-ye-concerts-a93572 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/information-ducks-kremlin-dismisses-mobilization-rumors-a93571 Top spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of spreading mobilization rumors to “destabilize” Russia. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:44:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/information-ducks-kremlin-dismisses-mobilization-rumors-a93571 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/deadly-ukrainian-strikes-in-southern-russia-force-oil-refinery-to-shut-down-a93570 At least two people were killed in the overnight air attacks, which targeted refineries in the Krasnodar and Rostov regions. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:37:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/25/deadly-ukrainian-strikes-in-southern-russia-force-oil-refinery-to-shut-down-a93570 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/ex-pussy-riot-member-says-she-helped-the-fsb-spy-on-kremlin-critics-a93568 Rita Flores said FSB officers coerced her into signing a cooperation agreement after threatening to kill her relatives and put her in prison. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:23:05 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/ex-pussy-riot-member-says-she-helped-the-fsb-spy-on-kremlin-critics-a93568 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/putin-signs-order-allowing-government-to-seize-critical-infrastructure-following-attacks-a93569 The special powers allow the state to assume control over the physical, financial and legal assets of facilities that fail to maintain adequate security or are slow to make repairs following attacks. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:28:26 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/putin-signs-order-allowing-government-to-seize-critical-infrastructure-following-attacks-a93569 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/russia-is-betting-on-the-mc-21-to-reverse-its-aviation-decline-its-no-silver-bullet-a93403 The MC-21’s troubled development reflects the mounting pressure on Russian civil aviation. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:46:48 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/russia-is-betting-on-the-mc-21-to-reverse-its-aviation-decline-its-no-silver-bullet-a93403 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/russia-and-ukraine-release-20-prisoners-of-war-a93567 Belarus said it acted as a mediator in the latest prisoner-of-war exchange. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:07:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/russia-and-ukraine-release-20-prisoners-of-war-a93567 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/kremlin-says-its-working-to-minimize-impact-of-ukrainian-attacks-on-russian-grain-exports-a93566 Tit-for-tat attacks by Russia and Ukraine, both major grain exporters, on ports and vessels in recent weeks have shuttered grain terminals and forced shippers to delay or cancel loadings for dozens of cargoes during the peak export season. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:14:09 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/kremlin-says-its-working-to-minimize-impact-of-ukrainian-attacks-on-russian-grain-exports-a93566 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/siberian-wildfires-reach-35m-acres-across-krasnoyarsk-and-sakha-republic-a93565 Authorities have blamed the fires on summer heat and Siberian silk moth infestations, which have killed off vast swaths of trees and left behind highly flammable deadwood. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:53:52 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/siberian-wildfires-reach-35m-acres-across-krasnoyarsk-and-sakha-republic-a93565 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/russian-government-proposes-tax-relief-for-wildberries-and-sellers-after-drone-attacks-a93564 Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the proposed measures include a deferral of taxes and insurance payments, as well as a freeze on tax audits. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:42:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/russian-government-proposes-tax-relief-for-wildberries-and-sellers-after-drone-attacks-a93564 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/at-least-3-killed-as-ukrainian-drones-target-ozon-hubs-across-southern-russia-a93563 The online retailer said four of its facilities were targeted in overnight attacks throughout the North Caucasus. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:43:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/24/at-least-3-killed-as-ukrainian-drones-target-ozon-hubs-across-southern-russia-a93563 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/23/putin-wants-to-draft-300k-new-troops-zelensky-says-a93562 Zelensky said Russia could draft more troops in 2027 to reach an overall goal of 500,000. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:37:14 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/23/putin-wants-to-draft-300k-new-troops-zelensky-says-a93562 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/23/ozon-warehouse-in-orenburg-region-hit-in-drone-attack-governor-says-a93561 Ozon said it had evacuated more than 300 people and that work had been halted. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:14:41 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/23/ozon-warehouse-in-orenburg-region-hit-in-drone-attack-governor-says-a93561 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/23/putin-says-ukraine-opened-pandoras-box-with-strikes-on-economic-targets-a93560 Putin threatened to hit back at Ukraine's “most sensitive economic sectors.” Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:07:25 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/23/putin-says-ukraine-opened-pandoras-box-with-strikes-on-economic-targets-a93560 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/22/ukrainian-drone-attacks-kill-multiple-people-across-russia-hit-ozon-warehouse-a93559 The strike is the first on a facility owned by online retailer Ozon, coming after weeks of drone attacks on its larger rival Wildberries. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/22/ukrainian-drone-attacks-kill-multiple-people-across-russia-hit-ozon-warehouse-a93559 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/moscow-is-touting-north-korea-as-a-new-tourism-hotspot-few-russians-are-making-the-trip-a93388 Despite a growing selection of organized tours and deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, few Russians are venturing to the country. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:28:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/moscow-is-touting-north-korea-as-a-new-tourism-hotspot-few-russians-are-making-the-trip-a93388 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/russian-double-tap-strike-on-shopping-mall-in-ukraine-kills-15-and-wounds-130-a93557 A shopping mall was struck in the daytime attack on President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:16:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/russian-double-tap-strike-on-shopping-mall-in-ukraine-kills-15-and-wounds-130-a93557 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/justice-ministry-re-adds-exiled-news-outlet-mediazona-to-foreign-agents-list-a93556 Mediazona was initially branded a “foreign agent” in 2021. It was later removed from the registry after its founding legal entity was shut down. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:00:45 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/justice-ministry-re-adds-exiled-news-outlet-mediazona-to-foreign-agents-list-a93556 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/finland-summons-russian-ambassador-over-suspected-airspace-incursion-a93553 Finnish border authorities said the airspace violation occurred Thursday afternoon in the western Gulf of Finland and lasted around three minutes. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:07:34 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/21/finland-summons-russian-ambassador-over-suspected-airspace-incursion-a93553