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 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:12:41 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/05/ukrainian-strike-damages-central-russian-oil-refinery-baltic-port-oil-facility-a92424 A total of 87 drones were shut down over Russia and annexed Crimea overnight on Saturday, the Defense Ministry said.  Sun, 05 Apr 2026 13:06:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/05/ukrainian-strike-damages-central-russian-oil-refinery-baltic-port-oil-facility-a92424 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/04/ukrainian-strikes-hit-southern-russia-killing-1-and-wounding-several-others-a92423 Unverified reports said chemical plants tied to fertilizer and explosives production were targeted in the attacks. Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:13:48 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/04/ukrainian-strikes-hit-southern-russia-killing-1-and-wounding-several-others-a92423 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/moscows-chief-architect-kuznetsov-steps-down-after-nearly-14-years-a92422 A source close to Moscow’s architecture and planning department told The Moscow Times that Artem Dedkov was a likely candidate to take over as Moscow’s chief architect following Kuznetsov’s departure. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:21:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/moscows-chief-architect-kuznetsov-steps-down-after-nearly-14-years-a92422 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/fsb-says-it-defused-scooter-bomb-parked-near-moscow-business-center-a92421 Russian authorities said Ukraine planned to detonate the bomb in an assassination plot against a high-ranking security official. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:10:56 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/fsb-says-it-defused-scooter-bomb-parked-near-moscow-business-center-a92421 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/china-reports-outbreak-of-livestock-disease-near-russian-regions-hit-by-mass-cattle-culling-a92420 The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in China comes amid growing concern about possible cross-border spread following months of mass cattle culls in Russia. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:20:23 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/china-reports-outbreak-of-livestock-disease-near-russian-regions-hit-by-mass-cattle-culling-a92420 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/as-kremlin-cuts-off-the-internet-vpns-become-a-way-of-life-a92370 Moscow has ramped up efforts to block VPNs as they have become more popular — but the number of users continues to grow. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/as-kremlin-cuts-off-the-internet-vpns-become-a-way-of-life-a92370 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/russian-fighter-jet-crashes-in-annexed-crimea-a92419 It marks the second military plane crash in the Black Sea peninsula this week. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:45:42 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/russian-fighter-jet-crashes-in-annexed-crimea-a92419 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/mass-outage-hits-sberbank-and-other-major-russian-lenders-a92418 Sberbank customers began reporting issues with making payments and transferring money around 10 a.m. Moscow time. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:23:51 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/mass-outage-hits-sberbank-and-other-major-russian-lenders-a92418 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/strait-of-hormuz-remains-open-for-russian-ships-kremlin-aide-says-a92417 Russia, China and India are reported to be among the five “friendly nations” allowed to use the waterway for commercial shipping. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:39 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/strait-of-hormuz-remains-open-for-russian-ships-kremlin-aide-says-a92417 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/train-derails-in-ulyanovsk-region-injuring-dozens-a92416 Seven coaches of a train traveling from the city of Chelyabinsk to Moscow went off the rails near the village of Bryandino. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:04:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/03/train-derails-in-ulyanovsk-region-injuring-dozens-a92416 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/russian-tanker-out-of-control-after-failed-towing-libyan-authorities-say-a92415 The Arctic Metagaz was abandoned in the Mediterranean after it was hit by a series of explosions while it was ferrying a consignment LNG from Russia to Egypt. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:00:27 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/russian-tanker-out-of-control-after-failed-towing-libyan-authorities-say-a92415 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/russia-bans-producers-from-exporting-gasoline-until-july-31-a92412 Officials said the move was aimed at stabilizing domestic fuel supplies amid rising global oil prices and ahead of the spring planting season. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:30:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/russia-bans-producers-from-exporting-gasoline-until-july-31-a92412 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/regions-calling-spring-floods-catch-russian-officials-off-guard-a92413 The North Caucasus republics of Chechnya and Dagestan are grappling with catastrophic floods after experiencing their heaviest rainfall in decades. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:41:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/regions-calling-spring-floods-catch-russian-officials-off-guard-a92413 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/ditch-the-camo-and-zs-officials-tell-russians-in-border-areas-amid-drone-attacks-a92410 Officials are warning civilians they could be mistaken for military targets if they wear camouflage and drive in vehicles marked with army symbols. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/ditch-the-camo-and-zs-officials-tell-russians-in-border-areas-amid-drone-attacks-a92410 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/russia-will-send-second-oil-tanker-to-cuba-energy-minister-says-a92411 “A vessel from the Russian Federation broke through the blockade. A second one is now being loaded. We will not leave the Cubans in trouble,” Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev said. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:28:51 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/russia-will-send-second-oil-tanker-to-cuba-energy-minister-says-a92411 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/elon-musks-father-says-he-held-memorable-meeting-with-vladimir-putin-a92409 Errol Musk said he was in Russia for a two-week trip focused on research projects with Russian scientists. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:24:34 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/elon-musks-father-says-he-held-memorable-meeting-with-vladimir-putin-a92409 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/ukraine-renewing-drone-strikes-on-turkstream-facilities-gazprom-says-a92408 The company said three Ukrainian drones targeted a compressor station in the southern Krasnodar region overnight. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:34:03 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/ukraine-renewing-drone-strikes-on-turkstream-facilities-gazprom-says-a92408 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/rosatom-prepares-final-staff-evacuation-from-bushehr-nuclear-plant-a92406 A group of around 50 “volunteers” will remain at the facility to ensure that it remains operational, the state nuclear corporation said. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:35:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/rosatom-prepares-final-staff-evacuation-from-bushehr-nuclear-plant-a92406 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/wildberries-russ-buys-3-ride-hailing-and-delivery-companies-in-direct-challenge-to-yandex-a92404 The online retailer acquired Citymobil, Taksovichkof and Gruzovichkof at a total estimated cost of $37-100 million. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:59:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/wildberries-russ-buys-3-ride-hailing-and-delivery-companies-in-direct-challenge-to-yandex-a92404 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/armenia-cannot-be-in-both-eu-and-moscow-led-customs-bloc-putin-says-a92405 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he was aware that being in the two unions was incompatible, but that pursuing both paths was possible "for now." Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:58:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/02/armenia-cannot-be-in-both-eu-and-moscow-led-customs-bloc-putin-says-a92405 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/first-russian-translation-of-khamenei-memoir-to-hit-bookstores-in-april-a92403 The book was translated from Persian by writer and critic Alexander Andryushkin, who is known for his work on Iranian literature. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:04:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/first-russian-translation-of-khamenei-memoir-to-hit-bookstores-in-april-a92403 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/vkusvill-closed-hundreds-of-stores-in-2025-a92399 A company spokesperson said the closures were part of an optimization strategy as VkusVill shifts its focus toward online delivery. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:28:09 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/vkusvill-closed-hundreds-of-stores-in-2025-a92399 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/us-lifts-sanctions-on-3-russian-cargo-vessels-linked-to-exports-from-occupied-ukraine-a92397 The vessels are reported to have ties to Russian war finance, government insiders and the export of resources extracted from occupied Ukraine. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:35:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/us-lifts-sanctions-on-3-russian-cargo-vessels-linked-to-exports-from-occupied-ukraine-a92397 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/russia-says-it-took-full-control-of-ukraines-luhansk-again-a92398 It marks the third time that Russia has made such a claim since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:46:42 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/russia-says-it-took-full-control-of-ukraines-luhansk-again-a92398 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/russians-lose-access-to-apple-id-mobile-payments-a92396 Sources told state media that the government is trying to jawbone Apple into returning Russian apps to its App Store after they were removed due to Western sanctions. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:22:08 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/russians-lose-access-to-apple-id-mobile-payments-a92396 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/at-least-30-dead-after-russian-military-transport-plane-crashes-in-annexed-crimea-a92395 Russia’s Defense Ministry said the crash was likely caused by a “technical malfunction.” Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:21:41 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/01/at-least-30-dead-after-russian-military-transport-plane-crashes-in-annexed-crimea-a92395 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/finland-probes-new-unmanned-aircraft-crash-near-russian-border-a92394 An "unmanned fixed-wing aircraft" was detected on the ice of Lake Pyhajarvi in eastern Finland, near the border with Russia, during a morning patrol. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:36:30 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/finland-probes-new-unmanned-aircraft-crash-near-russian-border-a92394 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/north-korean-russian-news-agencies-join-forces-in-info-war-a92393 North Korea's KCNA and Russia's TASS have agreed to counter jointly what they call "disinformation" delivered by their "many enemies." Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:18:08 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/north-korean-russian-news-agencies-join-forces-in-info-war-a92393 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/farmers-flock-to-moscow-demanding-putin-put-a-stop-to-mass-culling-of-cattle-a92391 More than 90,000 head of cattle have been culled across at least nine regions since February, drawing widespread attention in Russia. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:50:27 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/farmers-flock-to-moscow-demanding-putin-put-a-stop-to-mass-culling-of-cattle-a92391 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/russian-oil-exports-fall-by-175m-bpd-as-drones-assaults-baltic-ports-a92392 Weekly crude flows fell to 2.32 million bpd in the week to March 29, down from 4.07 million bpd the previous week. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:46:52 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/russian-oil-exports-fall-by-175m-bpd-as-drones-assaults-baltic-ports-a92392 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/ryazan-governor-orders-businesses-to-set-military-recruitment-quotas-a92390 Military analysts said it was the first known case of an official document publicly outlining recruitment quotas for companies. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:14:04 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/ryazan-governor-orders-businesses-to-set-military-recruitment-quotas-a92390 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/explosion-at-tatarstan-petrochemical-plant-kills-3-injures-dozens-a92389 Sibur, the petrochemical company that owns the plant, said the explosion was likely caused by an “equipment malfunction.” Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:32:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/explosion-at-tatarstan-petrochemical-plant-kills-3-injures-dozens-a92389 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/kremlin-rebuffs-zelenskys-easter-ceasefire-proposal-a92387 Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelensky’s call for an Easter ceasefire was vague and fell short of reaching a lasting peace. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:57:33 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/kremlin-rebuffs-zelenskys-easter-ceasefire-proposal-a92387 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/violent-crime-by-russian-soldiers-surges-during-ukraine-war-vot-tak-a92386 Garrison military courts received 729 murder cases involving servicemen between 2022 and 2025, compared with just 67 in the four years before the war. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:09:30 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/violent-crime-by-russian-soldiers-surges-during-ukraine-war-vot-tak-a92386 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/russia-designates-tufts-university-undesirable-organization-a92385 The General Prosecutor’s Office claimed that the university “radicalizes” Russians by eroding their trust in the government and military. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:05:35 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/russia-designates-tufts-university-undesirable-organization-a92385 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/russias-digital-ministry-declares-war-on-vpns-a92384 VPNs are a common tool that Russians have increasingly turned to in recent years to get around internet surveillance and censorship. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:32:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/russias-digital-ministry-declares-war-on-vpns-a92384 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/ukrainian-drones-damage-ust-luga-port-again-a92383 Ukraine has struck Baltic Sea ports multiple times over the past week in a bid to deprive Russia of windfalls from soaring oil prices. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:39:20 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/31/ukrainian-drones-damage-ust-luga-port-again-a92383 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/french-court-sentences-russia-linked-tanker-captain-to-1-year-in-jail-a92381 The vessel, claiming to be flagged in Benin, was thought to be part of a fleet transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:48:56 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/french-court-sentences-russia-linked-tanker-captain-to-1-year-in-jail-a92381 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/georgias-only-refinery-to-replace-russian-crude-with-turkmen-kazakh-oil-a92379 The strategic shift comes nearly a month after the Kulevi oil terminal on the Black Sea coast narrowly avoided being added to an EU list of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:21:41 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/georgias-only-refinery-to-replace-russian-crude-with-turkmen-kazakh-oil-a92379 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/exiled-intelligence-expert-andrei-soldatov-jailed-4-years-in-absentia-for-breaking-foreign-agent-law-a92376 Soldatov, who lives in London, is an expert on Russia’s security services and has co-authored several books with Irina Borogan. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:57:38 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/exiled-intelligence-expert-andrei-soldatov-jailed-4-years-in-absentia-for-breaking-foreign-agent-law-a92376 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/south-korea-revives-naphtha-imports-from-russia-amid-looming-shortage-a92375 LG Chem bought 27,000 metric tons of naphtha, South Korean media reported, with shipments expected to arrive on Monday. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:13:12 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/south-korea-revives-naphtha-imports-from-russia-amid-looming-shortage-a92375 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/russia-expels-british-diplomat-over-alleged-economic-espionage-a92371 The British Embassy in Moscow dismissed the spying allegations and called the expulsion “completely unacceptable.” Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:47:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/russia-expels-british-diplomat-over-alleged-economic-espionage-a92371 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/zelensky-calls-for-easter-ceasefire-with-russia-a92373 He also said Ukraine and Russia should agree to a mutual halt on strikes against energy infrastructure to help relieve pressure building in oil and gas markets. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:14:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/zelensky-calls-for-easter-ceasefire-with-russia-a92373 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/power-starts-returning-to-homes-in-dagestan-after-major-flooding-a92368 The North Caucasus republic of Dagestan on Saturday recorded its heaviest 24-hour rainfall since 1919. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:11:35 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/power-starts-returning-to-homes-in-dagestan-after-major-flooding-a92368 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/ukrainian-drone-strike-kills-1-in-rostov-region-a92367 Authorities said that the port city of Taganrog bore the brunt of a wider air assault on the southern Rostov region. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:55:51 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/ukrainian-drone-strike-kills-1-in-rostov-region-a92367 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/russian-oil-tanker-arrives-in-cuba-after-trump-shrugs-off-his-own-fuel-blockade-a92366 The U.S. president said Sunday that Washington would not oppose shipments of oil to the crisis-stricken island, including from Russia. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:21:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/30/russian-oil-tanker-arrives-in-cuba-after-trump-shrugs-off-his-own-fuel-blockade-a92366 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/29/fire-reported-after-ukrainian-strike-on-ust-luga-port-a92365 The northwestern port suffered damage this week when it was targeted by drones in an attack claimed by Ukraine's military. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:30:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/29/fire-reported-after-ukrainian-strike-on-ust-luga-port-a92365 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/28/russian-strikes-on-ukraine-kill-4-damaging-port-and-maternity-hospital-a92364 "Each such strike proves that Russia has no intention of ending this war. That is why any easing of pressure on it is dangerous," Zelensky said. Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:45:22 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/28/russian-strikes-on-ukraine-kill-4-damaging-port-and-maternity-hospital-a92364 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/27/russia-drops-budget-cut-plans-as-oil-price-surge-boosts-revenues-bloomberg-a92361 Authorities could channel the windfall oil revenues into spending on the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg’s sources said. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:02:28 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/27/russia-drops-budget-cut-plans-as-oil-price-surge-boosts-revenues-bloomberg-a92361 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/27/1-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-strike-on-belgorod-region-3-a92360 Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said one drone struck a vehicle in the border village of Malomikhaylovka, killing the driver. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 19:00:42 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/27/1-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-strike-on-belgorod-region-3-a92360