Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Feb. 20

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 2,000 people continues to spread around the world, Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the health risk, including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border with China and temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the country.  Russia reported its first two cases of coronavirus…

Russian Lawmakers Propose Special Governing Status for Arctic

Russia’s far northern territories, border areas and closed military towns could be directly governed by the federal government in Moscow, a leading member of the parliamentary group that is drafting a package of amendments to Russia’s Constitution has said. Senator Andrei Klishas suggested subjecting parts of the country’s Arctic territories and other areas directly to…

Russia Represented at Berlin Film Festival

The Berlin Film Festival, which showcases a wide variety of films from all corners of the globe, opens today. The Moscow Times has assembled a list of the most prominent inclusions by Russian directors, which are among the most anticipated features of the festival.  “Gunda” Saint Petersburg-based director Victor Kosskovsky has produced a documentary with…

Black Smog Raises Siberian City’s Alarms

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…

Gazprom looking to maintain and strengthen its leadership position in Europe while expanding into Asia

Release February 20, 2020, 15:55 The Gazprom Management Committee took note of the information about the Company’s international marketing strategy. It was highlighted that Gazprom is the largest gas supplier to Europe. In December, the Company started delivering pipeline gas to China. In addition, LNG from the Gazprom Group’s portfolio is being supplied to the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere. Gazprom’s marketing strategy is aimed at maintaining and strengthening the Company’s leadership position in the European…

Overdue debt of Russian consumers for gas supplies reduced by RUB 5.3 billion in 2019

Release February 20, 2020, 15:50 The Gazprom Management Committee reviewed the information on improving the payment discipline with regard to domestic gas supplies, as well as on the measures being taken to settle the outstanding consumer debt for the gas supplied, including the interaction with government authorities to perfect the current legislation that regulates the procedure of paying for gas. It was noted that the Company…

Russian Health Officials Use TikTok to Boost HIV Awareness

TikTok is best known as the app that launched a thousand memes and viral challenges.  But health officials in southern Russia now plan to spread awareness about the country’s HIV crisis using the popular video-sharing platform, the Open Media news website reported Wednesday, citing public procurement files. The initiative follows the release of popular journalist…

Russia Eyes Amnesty for Imprisoned Moscow Protesters

Russian lawmakers from the Communist Party have prepared a new amnesty bill to release prisoners jailed after last summer’s mass opposition rallies in Moscow, the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday. Twenty people have been convicted on charges of “mass unrest” and assault of law enforcement officers after tens of thousands took to the streets in…

Wildberries Founder Becomes Russia’s Richest Woman

For the first time in more than a decade, businesswoman Yelena Baturina is no longer Russia’s wealthiest woman, Forbes Russia reported Thursday. That honor now goes to Tatyana Bakalchuk, 44, the founder and head of the private online clothing retailer Wildberries. Both Baturina and Bakalchuk cemented their status as Russia’s only women billionaires last year.…

On This Day in 1877, ‘Swan Lake’ Premiered

On February 20, 1877, the Bolshoi Ballet premiered what would become one of the most famous ballets of all time. Although the sweeping music, tragic narrative, and iconic costumes have all contributed to the lasting popularity of “Swan Lake,” its creators could never have imagined that a story of dancing swans would become a multigenerational…

Mikhail Rosseev elected Member of Gazprom Management Committee

MediaNews and eventsAlexey Miller’s columnPress ConferencesPhoto essaysOn-the-spot reports, articles, interviewsForums and exhibitionsImage and video libraryPeriodicalsPress ServiceNews and eventsAlexey Miller’s columnPress ConferencesPhoto essaysOn-the-spot reports, articles, interviewsForums and exhibitions Release February 20, 2020, 10:00 On February 19, 2020, the Board of Directors elected Mikhail Rosseev as a Member of the Gazprom Management Committee for a five-year term. Background Mikhail Rosseev has been appointed Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee – Chief…

2 More Russians Infected With Coronavirus

Two Russian citizens from a quarantined cruise ship have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected Russian nationals to three, Russia’s Embassy in Japan said Thursday. One Russian passenger of the Diamond Princess liner has been hospitalized on suspicion of contracting the virus, the embassy said Tuesday. More than 620 passengers…