Russian Jews Сelebrate Hanukkah Across the Country

As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…

Putin Launches Direct Train Service to Crimea

President Vladimir Putin launched Russia’s first direct train to Crimea on Monday, opening railway service along a now-completed $4 billion bridge that links continental Russia to the annexed peninsula. Dozens of Western countries targeted Russia with economic sanctions over its annexation of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 following an unrecognized referendum. The…

Russian Special Forces Show Fifth-Graders How to Beat Crowds

A special forces unit demonstrated its melee combat skills to elementary school students in central Russia last week, sparking outrage among parents, a local television station has reported. Prison service guards wearing helmets and bearing shields showed fifth-graders how to club an imaginary enemy at a school auditorium in the Chelyabinsk region town of Zlatoust,…

Greece to Extradite Russian Cybercrime Suspect to France

Greece will extradite a Russian man suspected of having laundered billions of dollars in the digital currency bitcoin to France, the justice minister decided on Friday, court officials said. Alexander Vinnik, the alleged mastermind of a $4 billion bitcoin laundering ring, is one of seven Russians arrested or indicted worldwide this year on U.S. cybercrime…

Moody’s Updates PhosAgro Credit Analysis

The agency noted, among other things, that PhosAgro’s Baa3 rating reflects the Company’s significant global market presence and focus on premium-priced value-added complex fertilizers;  strong margins through the cycle, underpinned by its high-quality mining resources, self-sufficiency in key raw materials, and access to low-cost sulphur and natural gas; and balanced financial policy and public commitment…