Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Articles by Giovanni Pigni

Feature

Russia Showcases New Weaponry, Captured Western Arms at Flagship Military Forum

Russia, which has not seen any major battlefield victories in months, sought to boast of its military superiority over Ukraine and the West at the Army-2023...
5 Min read
Feature

'Half Patriot, Half Traitor': Wagner Fighters Reflect on Botched Rebellion With Resentment, Uncertainty

Current and former Wagner mercenaries interviewed by The Moscow Times were mixed in their loyalty to Yevgeny Prigozhin following his mutiny.
4 Min read
Feature

Prigozhin's Hometown St. Petersburg Mixed on Mercenary Chief's Armed Rebellion

Many in St. Petersburg seemed to share Prigozhin’s criticism of the Defense Ministry — but also warned that Wagner’s leader had gone too far.
4 Min read
Feature

'They Forgot About Us': Fear and Uncertainty Reign in Heavily Shelled Russian Border Town

Cross-border incursions, constant shelling and mass evacuations have turned Shebekino into a ghost town.
5 Min read
Feature

‘We F***ed Up’: Shock But No Panic in Belgorod as Border Incursion Brings War Home

Local residents told The Moscow Times that the attack was met with a mixture of shock, anger and indifference.
3 Min read
Feature

Tension and Worry as Russia’s Kursk Marks Downbeat Victory Day

Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, was one of 10 Russian regions to cancel traditional May 9 military parades. 
4 Min read
Feature

Eyewitnesses Describe ‘Bomb Jokes’ Moments Before Cafe Blast That Killed Military Blogger

One audience member told The Moscow Times that Vladlen Tatarsky said: “No worries, bring it here, we'll check it."
5 Min read
Feature

Explainer: Which Russian Far-Right Groups are Fighting in Ukraine?

While many Russian ultranationalists support the invasion of Ukraine, a minority have taken up arms against the Kremlin. 
5 Min read
Feature

On Russia’s Border with Ukraine, War Is Impossible to Ignore

The Belgorod region has suffered more death and destruction than any other Russian region with attacks on more than 50 towns and villages.
5 Min read
Feature

‘Black PR’: How Wagner Recruits Mercenaries and Shapes Russian Politics

The Wagner "brand" involves a mixture of blunt, macho rhetoric and aggressive criticism of its rivals.
5 Min read