Russia's food safety watchdog on Wednesday ordered the temporary closure of four McDonald's restaurants in Moscow, citing sanitary violations.
Against the backdrop of worsening ties between Russia and the U.S. over Ukraine, many have accused the watchdog's nationwide inspections of McDonald's branches of being politically motivated.
The watchdog itself has denied the allegations, however, and insists the checks are the result of customers' hygiene concerns.
The Moscow Times visited one of the affected McDonald's branches at Moscow's Manezh Square — now closed for 'technical reasons' — and, under the walls of the Kremlin, asked passers-by what they thought of the sudden closures.
Read the story:
Russia's Food Ban Strikes Its Own Consumers
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.