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opinion Leyla Latypova

Are Indigenous Activists from Russia Being Shut Out of the UN?

Several Indigenous activists have been refused attendance at this week's UN EMRIP. Is the Kremlin behind it?

opinion Leyla Latypova

Children of Asia Games Stir Up Memories of the Democratic and Free Sakha That Never Was

The return of the games to Sakha this year is both a reminder of a dream lost and a respite from the grim reality of the war's outsized impact on the republic...

opinion Leyla Latypova

Attacks in Dagestan Will Marginalize and Endanger Russia’s Muslims. Further.

Russia’s latest security failure in Dagestan will enable greater xenophobia and suppression of Muslim communities.

opinion Leyla Latypova

Russia Day Celebrations Become a PR Balancing Act for Republic Leaders

After a crackdown on activists tanked his reputation, Bashkortostan's Kremlin-appointed head invokes the Bashkir national hero in a bid to boost his legitimacy...

‘Another Attempt to Marginalize Us’: Experts and Activists Weigh In on ‘Anti-Russian Separatist’ Ban

Affiliates and supporters of these groups could now face up to six years in prison if found guilty of involvement in the banned “separatist movement...

An Exiled Komi Journalist Strives to Make His Community’s Voices Heard Over Russian Censorship

Valera Ilinov, the founder of the leading independent media outlet covering the republic of Komi, sees his work as inherently political and decolonial...

‘The Kremlin Wants Us to Forget His Name’: Supporters Pay Tribute to Navalny on His 48th Birthday

Supporters of the late Kremlin foe said they aim to keep his memory alive no matter what.

Their Ancestral Traditions Under Threat, a Village in Russia’s Far East Stands Up to Gold-Mining Giant

Tyanya residents’ chances of blocking Nordgold’s next venture in their mineral-rich region are slim. Activists say they have no choice but to try.

How Russia’s ‘Covert Mobilization’ Finds Manpower for the War in Ukraine

Activists say the army is luring new recruits with promises of high salaries and social benefits as well as intimidation tactics and even violence.

Exiled Electronic Duo AIGEL on Viral Fame, Singing in Tatar and Independent Art

Despite being blacklisted in Russia over their anti-war stance, the duo topped several global streaming charts with the Tatar-language song "Piyala."

What’s Behind Georgia’s ‘Russian Law’?

The Moscow Times spoke with experts to make sense of what is happening in Georgia, what might come next, and whether Russia may be involved.

What Next for Chechnya After Kadyrov Reported Seriously Ill? Experts Weigh In

Analysts were divided on the reported succession plan for Kadyrov — and whether the region would be plunged into turmoil following his death.

Russian Court Upholds 4-Year Sentence for Prominent Bashkir Activist

Fayil Alsynov's sentencing to four years in January sparked some of the largest protests in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

For Veiled Muslim Women in Russia, Prejudice and Harassment Are Part of Everyday Life

Last month's Moscow concert hall massacre has reportedly led to a rise in attacks on Muslim women in central Russia.

‘Difficult to Keep Calm’: Tatarstan Residents Shaken by Ukraine-Linked Drone Strikes

The purported Ukrainian attacks are the farthest-reaching strikes on Russian territory since the start of the war in Ukraine.

‘We All Have the Same Face to Them’: Deadly Moscow Attack Magnifies Discrimination Against Central Asian Migrants

In the wake of last week’s deadly shooting at Crocus City Hall, life for many migrants in Russia could take a turn for the worse.

‘Indifference’ and ‘Anger’ Guide Voter Choice in Russia’s Ethnic Republics

Outsize war casualties, worsening economic conditions and even sweeping repressions are unlikely to catalyze voters in a major way, experts and activists...

Inaugural ‘Games of the Future’ Fail to Undo Moscow’s International Isolation

Experts called the games “an attempt by Putin’s inner circle to show him…that everything in Russia is like before and even better.”

2 Years Into Ukraine War, Russia’s Ethnic Minorities Disproportionately Killed in Battle

“In one generation these nations will simply disappear,” said the scientist leading research into Russia's wartime losses.

From Whelan to Karelina: The Americans Held in Russian Prisons

This week's arrest of a U.S.-Russian woman on suspicion of treason is the latest in a series of arrests of U.S. citizens on Russian soil.

Before Navalny: 5 High-Profile Prisoners Who Perished in Russian Detention

Navalny — though arguably the most famous — is not the first activist to have died while held in Russia's harsh prison system.

Timeline: Alexei Navalny’s Final Hours

Based on available media reports and statements made by Russian authorities, The Moscow Times has recreated the timeline of the Kremlin critic’s final...

Leading Yakutian Activist Refuses to Give Up on Region’s Free Future

Sargylana Kondakova's group has helped hundreds of conscientious objectors, supported persecuted activists and combatted pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Exiled from Bashkortostan, Ex-Official Murzagulov Remains Hopeful for Its Future

Rostislav Murzagulov once saw himself as a political mediator. Now the polarizing figure must watch the unrest in his home region from afar.

Amid Sweeping Arrests, Russia’s Bashkortostan Braces for Further Protests

Bashkortostan’s Kremlin-appointed head has been doubling down on efforts to quash dissent.

Explainer: How an Activist’s Arrest Sparked Protests in Russia’s Bashkortostan

This week's events mark the latest instance in Bashkortostan's long history of protests over environmental and indigenous rights issues.

Russia Jails Prominent Bashkir Activist 4 Years

The case against Fayil Alsynov has mobilized thousands who say that Alsynov is being unfairly targeted over his popularity and achievements.

'Our Men Are Dying for Nothing': Russian Soldier’s Widow Makes Anti-War Plea

Maria Ishkova traveled to occupied Berdiansk to celebrate the New Year with her mobilized husband but found out upon her arrival that he had died.

Russia Seeks Arrest of Exiled Opposition Politician Bryukhanova

Anastasia Bryukhanova said her case is linked to a video she made about a New York Times investigation into the Russian massacre of civilians in Bucha...

How Russia’s Independent Media Survived 2023

Journalists and their employers have faced threats to their funding and ability to publish, and have even been imprisoned.

Viral Russian Gang Drama Revisits the Ultraviolence of 1980s Kazan

The No. 1 series in Russia recreates Kazan's thriving gang culture of the late 80s. But it brings up painful memories for some who lived through it.

Amid Ukraine War, a Quiet Battle of Memorials Unfolds in Russia

While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is being immortalized in stone, memorials dedicated to Soviet-era repressions are disappearing en masse.

Meet Putin’s Possible Election Opponent: A Single Mother of 3 Calling for Peace

Yekaterina Duntsova believes her age, gender and lack of experience in Kremlin politics could be assets. But she faces a long, challenging road ahead.

Northern Flight: The Teenage Komi-Karelian Activist Who Escaped the FSB

Nikita Goldin, a young advocate for the Komi and Karelian communities, was detained and interrogated for 10 hours. It was then that he knew he had to...

Ban of Sakha Films Signals Uncertain Future for Russia’s Regional Movie Industries

The regional film industry in Russia would be booming if the authorities didn't ban their movies.

Russia’s Muslims Dismayed By Anti-Israeli Airport Riot

“Islamophobia exists both in Russia and abroad and this will change attitudes towards us,” a Dagestan-born human rights lawyer said.

Fleeing Russian Persecution, Yakutian Anti-War Punk Now Awaits Deportation in Kazakh Jail

Ayhal Ammosov faces a criminal trial in his home country for calling on Russians to set fire to military enlistment offices.

Arrest of Tatar-American Journalist ‘A Terrible Tragedy,’ Friends Say

People who know Alsu Kurmasheva describe her as a devoted mother and journalist committed to covering life in Russia’s ethnic republics.

Kremlin’s Passive Stance On Israel-Hamas War Risks Damaging Its Relationship With Israel

Israel views Russia’s attempt at neutrality as a firm expression of both a pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas position, analysts and experts said.

Explainer: What Does Russia’s Exit From the Convention on National Minorities Mean?

Putin has introduced a bill greenlighting Russia’s exit from the FCNM, the world’s most comprehensive legally binding treaty devoted to safeguarding...

Art and Music of Russia’s Indigenous Peoples Comes Into Spotlight in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s bustling Red Light District has plenty to offer to visitors on a Saturday evening, but a showcase of art and music of Russia’s...

Russian Officials Fighting in Ukraine Seek Profile Boost, Career Advancement

Yet, for most officials, volunteering to fight in Ukraine has so far delivered few if any tangible professional benefits.

‘We’re All Hostages Here’: Wanted Russian Activists, Draft Dodgers Stuck in Legal Limbo in Kazakhstan

Sought by law enforcement at home and unable to go to a third country, Kazakhstan's Russian exiles are forced to live under the constant threat of repatriation...

Russia Pressures Migrant Workers with Raids, Military Summons

Hundreds of migrant workers hailing predominantly from Central Asia have been rounded up in police raids in several Russian cities in recent weeks.

Russia’s ‘Systemic Opposition’ Eyes Small Triumphs in Regional Elections

The ruling, pro-Kremlin United Russia party faces competition in a number of regions and municipalities as its popularity appears increasingly uncertain...

Russia Targets Activists’ Families as Efforts to Muzzle Dissent Spread

Activists who spoke to The Moscow Times confirmed dozens of ongoing cases of persecution of government critics’ families.

New Bill Puts Russia’s Lake Baikal at Risk of Deforestation, Harmful Urbanization

Experts and activists warn that a bill to ease logging restrictions along the lake's shores could deal irreversible damage to its unique ecosystem.

Russia Edges Closer to Abortion Ban in Quest to Preserve ‘Traditional Values’

Despite declining abortion numbers, the conservative turn among Russia's leadership and a push from the Russian Orthodox Church have put a target on the...

Economic Partnerships, Ukraine Set to Dominate Diminished Russia-Africa Summit

Experts say that the Russia-Africa Summit will likely be much smaller in size and scope than the inaugural event held in Sochi in 2019.

As Kremlin Dismantles Wagner’s Empire, Foreign Asset Seizures More Likely Than Defense Ministry Takeover

While the Kremlin swiftly moved to dissolve Wagner’s structures in Russia and Ukraine, the future of its overseas units remains volatile.

NATO Summit Gives Moscow Little to Celebrate Despite Falling Short of Kyiv’s Demands

The alliance’s reiterated commitment to Ukraine defied Moscow's expectation that Western support for Kyiv would fade as the invasion dragged on.

Standing By or Choosing Sides: Wagner Mutiny Deepens Divides in Russian Opposition

Russia's opposition was divided on whether they should lend their support to the mutiny, which threatened the Kremlin's grip on power.

Wagner Mutiny Stirs Panic, Uncertainty and Hope for Change in Russia’s Ethnic Republics

Far from Moscow, authorities in regions like the republics of Sakha, Tatarstan and Buryatia demurred and focused on events at home.

Ideology, Money or Freedom? Why Fighters from the Global South Join Russia’s Army in Ukraine

Tanzanian, Uzbek, Tajik, and Zambian nationals are just some of those known to have fought for Russia in Ukraine.

Foreigners Stranded in Russia’s Remote Far East as U.S.-Bound Flight Makes Emergency Landing

“When they were landing, they felt the plane hitting a hole [in the runway] — that was their first impression of Magadan,” the region's governor...

World’s Largest Tatar Language Platform to Shut Down After Western Developer Exits Russia

Ana Tele had been used by more than 100,000 Tatar language learners both within Russia and abroad.

Assimilate or Flee: Wartime Pressures Weigh on Russia’s Ukrainian Diaspora

There are hundreds of thousands of ethnic Ukrainians in Russia whose lives have been affected by the 15-month invasion.

Russia’s Arrest of Evan Gershkovich Echoes Soviet Spy Scandal

Nicholas Daniloff was working as a journalist in the Soviet Union when he was detained in 1986 and accused of espionage.

Russian Border Region Says Ukrainian 'Sabotage' Unit Carried Out Incursion

Local authorities have introduced a “counterterrorism regime” throughout the entire region.

Ravaged By Fires, a Tatar Village in West Siberia Calls on Tatarstan to Fund Reconstruction

“There are tears, but [there is] also hope that we will rebuild everything.”

Russia Set for Muted Victory Day as Ukrainian Counteroffensive Looms

This year’s events will be marked by cancellations, enhanced security and little interest in attending from foreign leaders.

The Torture of Isolation: Inside the Russian Prison Housing U.S. Journalist Evan Gershkovich

Its impenetrable walls once muffled the cries of Soviet-era political prisoners tortured and executed by security officers during Stalin’s purges.

From Gershkovich to Gadzhiev: 9 Journalists Jailed in Russia

At least 22 journalists are currently imprisoned in Russia for their work, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Russia Begins Issuing Digital Military Summons – Reports

The use of digital summons have fueled fears the Kremlin may be preparing to mobilize more men to aid its military efforts in Ukraine.

Russia’s Local Activists Find Room for Protest – Just Don’t Mention the War

While the political significance of such protests is close to nil, some experts believe they are helping nurture Russia’s battered civil society.

As Xi Visits Putin, Allies Trumpet 'New Era' But Offer Little Substance

Xi’s reunion with Putin is unlikely to catalyze a major shift in bilateral cooperation — or in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, experts say.

Languages in Russia Disappearing Faster than Data Suggests, Activists Warn

While Russia's 2021 census might help identify linguistic trends, experts argue it fails to capture the real number of active language users.

Russia's Grateful Diaspora Joins Earthquake Relief Efforts in Turkey

As Turkey struggled amid the worst disaster in its modern history, recent Russian arrivals in the country were determined to help.

Russia’s Religious Leaders Who Criticized the Ukraine War

Orthodox priest Maxim Nagibin has been an outcast in his village in southern Russia since the sermon he gave at his local church, St. Michael the Archangel...

The Desperate Chechen Lawyer Offering Kadyrov a Human Swap

Human rights lawyer Abubakar Yangulbaev is no novice when it comes to standing up to Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman leader of Russia’s republic of...

'Final Nail in the Coffin': Activists Lament Moscow Helsinki Group Closure

Russian and international human rights activists on Thursday condemned the dissolution of the Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG), Russia's oldest independent...

Russian Emigres Rally Worldwide in Support of Jailed Navalny

Thousands of Russian emigres in more than 60 cities, from Seoul and London to Yerevan, Vilnius and Belgrade, took part in solidarity rallies Saturday in...

Russia’s Local Journalists Struggle to Keep News Flowing – From Home and Abroad

Russian independent media outlet Zvezda in the city of Perm consistently uses the word “war” in its coverage of the fighting in Ukraine &mdash...

What Really Happened With Russia’s Economy in 2022?

While many analysts and observers expected the Russian economy to collapse under the weight of the Ukraine war and a flood of Western sanctions, the country...

Tatarstan Deputies Reject Kremlin Attempt to Bring Region to Heel

In a rare show of defiance toward the federal government in Moscow, regional politicians in Tatarstan on Thursday rejected a set of amendments to its constitution...

7 Unexpected Ways Western Sanctions Have Affected Life in Russia

Western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine may not have resulted in the dramatic economic collapse some predicted — but they have still...

Ukraine War Fuels ‘Fear and Anxiety’ for Russia’s Trans Community

Transgender and non-binary people in Russia have faced rising harassment and physical abuse since the start of the war in Ukraine, activists say, as the...

Russia Begins Kherson 'Evacuations' as Ukrainian Forces Advance

State-run Russian television aired footage on Wednesday of long lines of people and their luggage on the banks of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine&rsquo...

From Mobilization to Death in 10 Days: Russia’s Draftees Killed in Ukraine

St. Petersburg lawyer Andrei Nikiforov was drafted into the Russian army four days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial&rdquo...

Russia Claims Front ‘Stabilized’ as Ukraine Pushes on With Counteroffensive

Russian officials sought to allay concerns Wednesday that Ukraine could achieve a major breakthrough in its ongoing counteroffensive amid reports that...

‘We Cannot Win’: Russia’s Military Veterans Opposing The Ukraine War

After retiring from the Russian Air Force at the rank of lieutenant-colonel, Vitaly Votanovsky got involved in political activism in the southern Russian...

Ethnic Minorities Hit Hardest By Russia’s Mobilization, Activists Say

Just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization for the war in Ukraine last week, a family in Russia’s majority-Buddhist...

‘We Just Started Crying’: Call-Up Gains Steam as Russians Receive Draft Papers

Thousands of men across Russia were handed draft papers and NGOs helping conscripts were flooded with requests for help Thursday amid the military mobilization...

Russia’s Tatarstan Bans Reservists From Leaving as Mobilization Underway

Authorities in Russia’s republic of Tatarstan have prohibited all residents in the military reserves from leaving the region, according to a government...

‘Demoralized and Depressed’: Voting Begins in Russia’s First Wartime Elections

Moscow will see the most contested elections as over a hundred independent candidates seek to win municipal council seats.

Russians Flock to Belarus for Sanctions-Free Shopping Tourism

The demand for tours to Russia’s ex-Soviet ally has been unexpectedly high since the invasion, according to travel agents.

From Yandex to RT: Russia Expands Presence in Serbia Amid Ukraine War

The Kremlin is looking to use its Balkan ally to evade sanctions and “gaslight” the West, analysts say.

Russia’s ‘Filtration Camp’ System Detailed in Human Rights Watch Report

“The forcible transfer of civilians… can be prosecuted as a war crime and a crime against humanity,” the international watchdog said.

Praise and Blame: How Russia Reacted to the Death of Gorbachev

President Vladimir Putin said Gorbachev was a “statesman who made an enormous impact on the trajectory of world history.”

'Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union'

It’s hard not to seek answers to questions of the present in Zubok’s work about the past.

NGO Helps Women Fleeing Ukraine War, Political Repression

A global team of volunteers coordinated by a leading Russian expert is supporting women facing gender-based violence abroad.

Explainer: What’s Next for U.S. Basketball Star Griner After Russia Conviction?

Brittney Griner’s defense is preparing to appeal the verdict, while prisoner swap talks between the U.S. and Russia could drag on for months.

Russia’s Tatar Minority Mourns Loss of Regional Presidency

Vladimir Putin formalized the arrangement in July when referencing the local leader as “head” for the first time.

‘Explosive Cocktail’: The Russian Regions Recruiting Units for Ukraine War

It may alleviate Russia’s manpower shortages but is unlikely to change the course of the fighting, analysts said.

Russian Authorities Detain, Threaten Soldiers Refusing to Fight in Ukraine

Servicemen report that they are being prevented from resigning from the military.

Russia's Liberal Dozhd TV Returns to the Air After Wartime Crackdown

“We hope that we won’t disappoint the viewers,” Dozhd’s editor-in-chief said.

‘We Save Everyone’: The Lawyers Helping Russian Soldiers Evade Service in Ukraine

Thousands of Russian contract soldiers and National Guard employees have likely refused to be sent into battle since the start of the invasion.

Russian Ruble Drops 17% Amid Falling Exports, Rumored Intervention

The ruble is currently at its lowest level in six weeks.

Russia’s Remote Communities Feel Fallout From Ukraine Invasion

Residents of distant towns and villages are facing the loss and grief of a “big land” conflict.

Russia Recruits Teachers, Construction Workers and Politicians to ‘Rebuild’ Occupied Ukraine

Potential hires are promised salaries up to nine times higher than the Russian average.