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, 16 Aug 2026 11:37:06 +0300 600 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/16/ukrainian-drones-strike-moscow-region-killing-one-a93506 Moscow region governor said several sites belonging to Russia's largest online retailer Wildberries were also targeted in the attack. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:23:11 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/16/ukrainian-drones-strike-moscow-region-killing-one-a93506 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/15/russia-seeks-explanation-from-us-and-turkey-over-reports-of-possible-arms-transfer-a93505 Turkey requested permission from Washington to send Ukraine tens of thousands of cluster munitions that had sat in Ankara's stockpiles for decades. Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:58:42 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/15/russia-seeks-explanation-from-us-and-turkey-over-reports-of-possible-arms-transfer-a93505 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/15/summer-campaign-led-to-capture-of-19-settlements-in-southeast-ukraine-defense-ministry-a93504 Russian advances on the frontline have slowed this year even as Moscow has intensified its ballistic strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:14:01 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/15/summer-campaign-led-to-capture-of-19-settlements-in-southeast-ukraine-defense-ministry-a93504 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/15/ukraine-strikes-industrial-facility-in-samara-region-a93503 Local authorities acknowledged that a facility had been hit but did not publicly confirm details. Sat, 15 Aug 2026 11:16:07 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/15/ukraine-strikes-industrial-facility-in-samara-region-a93503 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/civilian-casualties-in-ukraine-in-july-hit-highest-monthly-toll-since-march-2022-un-says-a93501 The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed that at least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured last month. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:00:09 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/civilian-casualties-in-ukraine-in-july-hit-highest-monthly-toll-since-march-2022-un-says-a93501 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/yabloko-appeals-russian-supreme-court-ruling-barring-it-from-state-duma-elections-a93500 Party chairman Nikolai Rybakov vowed that “Yabloko will be on the ballot” in next month’s State Duma elections. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:42:07 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/yabloko-appeals-russian-supreme-court-ruling-barring-it-from-state-duma-elections-a93500 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/zabaikalsky-region-declares-state-of-emergency-following-summer-flooding-a93498 Governor Alexander Osipov said that the emergency declaration was needed in order to speed up financial aid to residents impacted by the flooding and repairs to damaged infrastructure. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:04:47 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/zabaikalsky-region-declares-state-of-emergency-following-summer-flooding-a93498 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/russia-dismisses-calls-for-black-sea-ceasefire-a93499 The Foreign Ministry said it saw no grounds for "half-measures" that would offer a respite to Ukrainian forces. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:43:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/russia-dismisses-calls-for-black-sea-ceasefire-a93499 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/state-prosecutors-seek-12-year-prison-sentence-for-lev-shlosberg-a93497 The veteran opposition politician is accused of “discrediting” and spreading “fake news” about the Russian armed forces. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:37:56 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/state-prosecutors-seek-12-year-prison-sentence-for-lev-shlosberg-a93497 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/moscow-court-jails-man-23-years-for-spying-for-poland-a93496 Georgy Pirogov vanished in July 2024 during a business trip to Uzbekistan and resurfaced days later inside Moscow’s Matrosskaya Tishina pre-trial detention facility. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:42:06 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/moscow-court-jails-man-23-years-for-spying-for-poland-a93496 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/fire-breaks-out-at-ust-luga-port-after-ukrainian-drone-attack-a93495 Regional authorities said firefighters later managed to extinguish the blaze at the oil export terminal, which has been struck several times before. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:39:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/14/fire-breaks-out-at-ust-luga-port-after-ukrainian-drone-attack-a93495 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/fires-floods-and-foul-air-in-siberias-tyumen-region-weather-disasters-turn-biblical-a93493 Large swathes of Siberia are witnessing dizzying weather extremes this summer. Experts point to climate change. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:30:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/fires-floods-and-foul-air-in-siberias-tyumen-region-weather-disasters-turn-biblical-a93493 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/moscow-universities-see-record-admissions-competition-amid-wartime-quotas-and-budget-cuts-a93492 The Kremlin has pushed to reduce university enrollment in favor of vocational training to address industrial labor shortages. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:08:53 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/moscow-universities-see-record-admissions-competition-amid-wartime-quotas-and-budget-cuts-a93492 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/novosibirsk-activist-who-documented-farmer-protests-arrested-on-terrorism-charges-a93490 “I believe this is payback for my mother’s active civic stance,” Mikhailova’s daughter said in a video. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:48:03 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/novosibirsk-activist-who-documented-farmer-protests-arrested-on-terrorism-charges-a93490 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/orsk-refinery-shutters-for-6-months-after-ukrainian-attack-a93489 On Thursday, regional governor Yevgeny Solntsev described the situation at local gas stations as “not simple everywhere, but manageable.” Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:11:17 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/orsk-refinery-shutters-for-6-months-after-ukrainian-attack-a93489 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/russian-military-officer-killed-in-annexed-crimea-bomb-explosion-a93488 Telegram channels identified the victim as Captain First Rank Robert Shageyev, who defected to Russia during the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:12:14 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/russian-military-officer-killed-in-annexed-crimea-bomb-explosion-a93488 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/putin-makes-first-visit-to-disputed-kuril-islands-amid-protests-from-japan-a93485 The four contested isles are part of the volcanic Kuril archipelago, running from Kamchatka to Hokkaido. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:26:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/putin-makes-first-visit-to-disputed-kuril-islands-amid-protests-from-japan-a93485 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/moscow-court-upholds-visiting-businessmans-treason-arrest-over-ukrainian-tax-payments-mediazona-reports-a93483 Russian investigators allege that Varyukhin committed treason by paying mandatory taxes on his earnings into the Ukrainian state budget. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:01:03 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/moscow-court-upholds-visiting-businessmans-treason-arrest-over-ukrainian-tax-payments-mediazona-reports-a93483 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/ukrainian-drones-attack-wildberries-hub-and-oil-refinery-in-bashkortostan-a93480 Ukraine has struck more than two dozen Wildberries facilities in the last month. Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:31:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/13/ukrainian-drones-attack-wildberries-hub-and-oil-refinery-in-bashkortostan-a93480 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/tyumen-region-imposes-mass-pig-culls-over-mystery-outbreak-a93477 The incident follows a similar livestock culling after a pasteurellosis outbreak in the Novosibirsk region earlier this year. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:29:31 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/tyumen-region-imposes-mass-pig-culls-over-mystery-outbreak-a93477 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/son-of-former-senior-official-reportedly-arrested-in-moscow-murder-investigation-a93475 Alexander Khotin was detained Tuesday, west of Moscow, where they allegedly found a blood-stained knife inside a bathroom, according to RBC. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:52:22 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/son-of-former-senior-official-reportedly-arrested-in-moscow-murder-investigation-a93475 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/st-petersburg-philosophy-professor-detained-over-40-extremist-navalny-donations-a93474 “I personally supported Alexei Navalny,” Zaytsev told the officers on camera. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:05:58 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/st-petersburg-philosophy-professor-detained-over-40-extremist-navalny-donations-a93474 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/russian-combat-drone-forum-postponed-over-fears-of-ukrainian-attack-a93476 Organizers said the Dronnitsa event would require diverting air defenses and security personnel from other locations. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:05:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/russian-combat-drone-forum-postponed-over-fears-of-ukrainian-attack-a93476 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/ad-spending-on-wildberries-nosedives-after-ukrainian-drone-attacks-kommersant-reports-a93472 A source told Kommersant that many advertisers had either frozen their promotional budgets or sharply cut back across major retail categories. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:23:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/ad-spending-on-wildberries-nosedives-after-ukrainian-drone-attacks-kommersant-reports-a93472 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/drones-kill-one-reportedly-halt-work-at-novorossiysk-grain-terminal-a93465 Two of Novorossiysk's largest grain terminals halted work on Wednesday, industry sources told Reuters. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:50:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/drones-kill-one-reportedly-halt-work-at-novorossiysk-grain-terminal-a93465 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/orenburg-region-imposes-fuel-rationing-after-ukrainian-refinery-attack-a93468 Orenburg is the 16th reported region to face renewed fuel disruptions following a brief period of stabilization in late July. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:11:21 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/orenburg-region-imposes-fuel-rationing-after-ukrainian-refinery-attack-a93468 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/putin-threatens-retaliation-if-europe-seizes-russian-ships-a93470 The warning follows the EU’s adoption of a mechanism allowing member states to confiscate and sell Russian oil carried aboard shadow fleet vessels. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:10:46 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/putin-threatens-retaliation-if-europe-seizes-russian-ships-a93470 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/russia-forced-to-import-gasoline-from-india-amid-domestic-shortages-a93466 Moscow previously relied primarily on fuel imports from neighboring Belarus and Kazakhstan in response to Ukraine’s drone campaign.  Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:55:49 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/russia-forced-to-import-gasoline-from-india-amid-domestic-shortages-a93466 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/apple-removes-yandexs-payment-service-app-a93464 Apple has not publicly commented on the removal, though it has delisted apps linked to sanctioned Russian entities in recent months.  Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:31:17 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/12/apple-removes-yandexs-payment-service-app-a93464 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/russian-wheat-exports-brace-for-decade-low-in-august-amid-black-sea-attacks-a93462 Russia and Ukraine have been attacking each other’s agricultural export facilities and commercial vessels in the Black Sea in recent weeks, driving wheat prices higher on global markets. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:59:38 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/russian-wheat-exports-brace-for-decade-low-in-august-amid-black-sea-attacks-a93462 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/russia-says-syria-base-deal-will-boost-ties-source-says-some-russian-forces-will-stay-a93444 The naval facility and air base have long been Moscow's principal military footholds in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/russia-says-syria-base-deal-will-boost-ties-source-says-some-russian-forces-will-stay-a93444 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/as-russia-strips-rights-from-exiled-regime-opponents-many-dont-know-if-they-should-worry-a93459 Sweeping restrictions could cause serious headaches for some Russians living overseas. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:02:47 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/as-russia-strips-rights-from-exiled-regime-opponents-many-dont-know-if-they-should-worry-a93459 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/russias-central-bank-proposes-framework-for-publicly-trading-major-cryptocurrencies-a93460 The proposal would allow investors to trade Bitcoin, Ether and Tether on official Russian exchanges, establishing a regulated infrastructure for cryptocurrency trading set to take effect next month. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:10:09 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/russias-central-bank-proposes-framework-for-publicly-trading-major-cryptocurrencies-a93460 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/putin-pardons-former-us-marine-imprisoned-in-russia-reuters-a93457 U.S. officials said Robert Gilman would be transported on a State Department plane from Russia to Washington Dulles Airport. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:17:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/putin-pardons-former-us-marine-imprisoned-in-russia-reuters-a93457 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/mongolia-says-russia-agreed-to-send-emergency-fuel-supplies-amid-shortages-a93455 Russia accounts for up to 97% of Mongolia’s gasoline and diesel imports.  Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:48:27 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/mongolia-says-russia-agreed-to-send-emergency-fuel-supplies-amid-shortages-a93455 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/one-killed-in-ukrainian-strike-on-wildberries-logistics-center-in-voronezh-a93454 The online retailer said it evacuated employees from the facility after a fire broke out during the overnight drone strikes. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:39:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/11/one-killed-in-ukrainian-strike-on-wildberries-logistics-center-in-voronezh-a93454 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russian-supreme-court-bars-yabloko-party-from-election-a93452 The ruling removes the only registered party campaigning on a pro-peace platform from the nationwide party-list ballot. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:58:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russian-supreme-court-bars-yabloko-party-from-election-a93452 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russia-rolling-out-starlink-style-network-faster-than-expected-kyiv-says-a93453 Russian forces had been using gray-market Starlink terminals in Ukraine until Kyiv successfully lobbied SpaceX to disable them earlier this year. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:43:23 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russia-rolling-out-starlink-style-network-faster-than-expected-kyiv-says-a93453 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/ukraine-reportedly-strikes-russias-largest-petrochemical-plantin-western-siberia-a93451 Local authorities confirmed that a fire broke out after several drones crashed into an industrial facility, though they did not identify the site by name. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:30:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/ukraine-reportedly-strikes-russias-largest-petrochemical-plantin-western-siberia-a93451 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russian-central-bank-urges-lenders-to-support-businesses-impacted-by-wildberries-warehouse-attacks-a93450 A senior executive at Sberbank said the state-backed lender has already received around 2,000 applications for loan restructuring from business owners impacted by the attacks. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:35:43 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russian-central-bank-urges-lenders-to-support-businesses-impacted-by-wildberries-warehouse-attacks-a93450 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/moldova-recalls-ambassador-in-moscow-after-drone-crashes-near-border-with-ukraine-a93449 Chisinau said it summoned its ambassador in Russia back home for consultations, calling the drone incident a “grave violation of Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” that risks the safety of its citizens.  Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:15:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/moldova-recalls-ambassador-in-moscow-after-drone-crashes-near-border-with-ukraine-a93449 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/kamchatka-braces-for-near-total-internet-shutdown-amid-undersea-cable-repairs-a93447 The fiber-optic cable maintenance was originally scheduled for September 2025 but was later postponed. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:35:05 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/kamchatka-braces-for-near-total-internet-shutdown-amid-undersea-cable-repairs-a93447 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russia-denies-it-held-official-peace-talks-with-germany-in-azerbaijan-a93446 But Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin did say that backchannel discussions have taken place between individuals from Germany and Russia who are not affiliated with either country’s government. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:56:46 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/russia-denies-it-held-official-peace-talks-with-germany-in-azerbaijan-a93446 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/13-killed-in-ukrainian-attack-on-republic-of-tatarstan-a93445 Russian media reported that a local petrochemical plant may have been struck during the overnight drone barrage. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:52:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/10/13-killed-in-ukrainian-attack-on-republic-of-tatarstan-a93445 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/09/3-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-attack-on-belgorodrussia-says-a93443 Russia's Defense Ministry said it had destroyed more than 150 Ukrainian drones over the European part of the country. Sun, 09 Aug 2026 16:50:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/09/3-killed-in-ukrainian-drone-attack-on-belgorodrussia-says-a93443 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/08/ukraine-strikes-oil-refinery-in-russias-krasnodar-region-in-drone-attack-a93441 The attack is another in Ukraine's campaign against Russia's oil and gas facilities. Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:10:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/08/ukraine-strikes-oil-refinery-in-russias-krasnodar-region-in-drone-attack-a93441 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/08/russian-strikes-kill-3-in-kyiv-region-official-says-a93442 Ukraine is chronically short of air defense munitions, making it very difficult for air defense forces to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/08/russian-strikes-kill-3-in-kyiv-region-official-says-a93442 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/deadly-storm-batters-smolensk-region-leaving-thousands-without-power-a93440 A child and an elderly woman were killed by falling trees in the regional capital as winds reached gusts of up to 20 meters per second. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:28:55 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/deadly-storm-batters-smolensk-region-leaving-thousands-without-power-a93440 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/former-popcorn-books-publisher-receives-suspended-sentence-in-lgbtq-extremism-trial-a93439 Dmitry Protopopov was among three senior managers arrested in May 2025 and charged with “extremism” following a 2023 ruling by Russia’s Supreme Court to outlaw the so-called “international LGBT movement.” Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:34:52 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/former-popcorn-books-publisher-receives-suspended-sentence-in-lgbtq-extremism-trial-a93439 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/nationalist-rodina-party-sues-to-disqualify-yabloko-from-state-duma-elections-a93438 Rodina leader Alexei Zhuravlyov accused Yabloko members of being traitors “who work for the West” and claimed his party had uncovered financial violations by Yabloko. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:11:00 +0300 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/07/nationalist-rodina-party-sues-to-disqualify-yabloko-from-state-duma-elections-a93438