Month: March 2020
-
Campaigners Urge Russia to Release Prisoners as Coronavirus Spreads
Rights campaigners are urging the Russian government to consider releasing some pre-trial detainees and prisoners held in the country’s packed jails, warning of the “devastating consequences” of the coronavirus pandemic. More than half a million people are held in Russia’s notoriously crowded prisons in what is the European continent’s largest prison population. In a letter Tuesday…
-
Watch All 431 Minutes of An Iconic Soviet Film
Many of us have heard of Sergei Bondarchuk’s sweeping adaptation of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” but few of us have watched it in its (admittedly enormous) entirety. With the days of quarantine stretching out before us, what better way to spend 7 hours than indulging in one of the most groundbreaking feats of Soviet cinematography? …
-
‘Hybrid Truth’: Russia-Linked Italians Sing Praises for Moscow’s Virus Aid
The truth is in the eye of the beholder. Italians who have received extensive coverage in Russian state media for playing the Russian anthem or waving the Russian flag in gratitude to Moscow’s coronavirus aid have either family or financial connections to Russia, BBC Russia reported Tuesday. Critics have argued that the package of decontamination…
-
Russia’s Top Coronavirus Doctor Who Met Putin Tests Positive
The head of Moscow’s main coronavirus hospital who met with President Vladimir Putin a week ago has tested positive, he said Tuesday, as the Kremlin announced the Russian leader’s health was fine. Last Tuesday Denis Protsenko met with the Russian leader who inspected the Kommunarka hospital while wearing a bright yellow hazmat suit. But the…
-
As Virus Looms, Russian Arctic Brigade Tests Chemical Weapons Defense
This week more than 80 units of military hardware rolled out of their compounds in the Kola Peninsula to participate in exercises, the Northern Fleet informs. The exercises involved motorized infantry units of the Northern Fleet’s Arctic Brigade, and included military equipment such as self-propelled Gvozdika howitzers, the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system, and MTLB armored transport…
-
Migrants Waiting For Coronavirus Flights Kicked Out of Moscow Airport
As many as 300 Central Asian migrants hoping to return home from Russia because of the coronavirus pandemic were kicked out of Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport overnight, according to reports on social media Tuesday. Migrant workers from Central Asia have been stranded in unsanitary conditions at Moscow’s four international airports for weeks after airlines canceled flights…
-
Sochi Cracks Down on Tourism Surge From Putin’s Week-Long Coronavirus Holiday
Authorities in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi have imposed strict measures to keep tourists away from the city as locals expressed concern that visitors could bring an outbreak of the coronavirus with them. President Vladimir Putin declared a nationwide paid holiday from March 28 to April 5 in a move to tackle the coronavirus…
-
As Recession Looms, More than 60% of Russians Have No Savings
As Russia’s battle against the coronavirus steps up with strict quarantines being rolled out across major cities, a new report has shown that six in 10 Russians have no savings at all. Otkritie Bank found that only 36% of Russians have a financial cushion, with the rest reporting no savings whatsoever. The findings raise concerns…
-
St. Petersburg Under Siege by Coronavirus
Last week St. Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov asked Russians to stay out of the city. “Movie theaters, theaters and other venues are closed. There is nothing to do here,” he said on March 21 during his visit to the coronavirus information center in St. Petersburg. Despite his warnings and quarantine measures, street life last week…
-
‘Leaning on War-Time History’: Russian Factories Have Switched to Sewing Masks to Combat Coronavirus
The call came just after 9 pm on a Monday, as Nataliya Kharitonova was heading into one of her two textile factories to take stock of supplies. Kharitonova, 40, founded Tekstil Komi 18 years ago in Syktyvkar, the capital city of the republic of Komi in Russia’s northwest. The company produces household linens — pillows,…
-
Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | March 31
The Russian economy has been rocked by the coronavirus outbreak, and the breakdown of the OPEC+ oil production pact between Russia and Saudi Arabia. The turmoil has shocked traders around the world and resulted in sharp volatility on the Russian stock markets and swings in the value of the ruble — both of which are…
-
Russia Sends Medical Aid to Coronavirus-Hit U.S., Trump Says
Russia and other countries have sent medical aid to the United States, the hardest-hit country in the deadly coronavirus outbreak, U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday. Russia previously sent decontamination units and military medical staff to coronavirus-hit Italy, raising questions over whether the move was an attempt at a publicity coup at home and abroad…
-
Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 31
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 37,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to tackle the pandemic and prevent its spread within the country. There have been 1,836 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and nine deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia…
-
Moscow Begins Lockdown During Tougher Push to Curb Virus
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday urged Moscow’s 12 million residents to respect a strict new lockdown, as other parts of the country began to introduce similar steps to curb the coronavirus outbreak. The enforcement of the new rules, which Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin suddenly announced late Sunday, coincided with the beginning of a “non-working”…
-
Moscow Pleads for Private Clinics’ Help in Coronavirus Fight
Moscow’s mayor has asked for the Russian government’s help in getting private clinics to provide beds for coronavirus patients, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Monday. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who sits on Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s coronavirus coordinating council, named hospital beds and the national healthcare system’s mobilization as top priorities in the…
-
A Night at the Theater
Yevgeny Vakhtangov was one of the great lights of the Russian theater world, a good friend of Mikhail Chekhov, and influenced by both Konstantin Stanislavsky and Vsevolod Meyerhold. From Vladikavkaz, the son of an Armenian father and Russian mother, he came to Moscow and attended Moscow State University before joining the Moscow Art Theater in…
-
Chechen Police Brandish Pipes in Coronavirus Street Patrols
Police officers armed with plastic pipes in Russia’s republic of Chechnya are patrolling the streets to observe compliance with the region’s coronavirus quarantine, Russian media reported this weekend. The majority Muslim region enacted a strict quarantine Saturday with steep fines for venturing outside. Videos that circulated online starting late Friday showed police convoys advising residents…
-
On This Day in 1867 the US Purchased Alaska From Russia
Today marks the 153rd anniversary of the Alaska Purchase, in which Russia sold Alaska to the United States for 7.2 million USD, or roughly 2 cents per acre. Russians are speculated to have first reached Alaska in the 1600s, when commercial fur trappers traversed Siberia and arrived on the North American continent. Regular trapping expeditions…
-
Most of Moscow’s New Coronavirus Patients Younger Than 40
Young people make up a majority of Moscow’s new Covid-19 patients, the city’s coronavirus crisis center said Monday as Russia set another one-day record in new cases of the deadly disease. Russia confirmed 302 new coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the country’s official number of cases up to 1,836, with nine deaths. Moscow accounted for…
-
Is Moscow’s Virus Lockdown Order Legal?
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s announcement of an indefinite citywide quarantine to limit the spread of the coronavirus has prompted debates over whether his strict measures are legal. Sobyanin imposed restrictions on movement starting Monday and said that authorities will enforce the new self-isolation rules through “smart monitoring” and a system of special passes. The isolation…
-
When Your Home Isn’t a Safe Space. Russian Women Fear Rise in Domestic Violence as Coronavirus Quarantine Starts.
The beatings started for Angelina a few months after she married and only got worse as time went by. Last Wednesday afternoon, she grabbed all she could carry and took a taxi with her two young sons to a relative’s cramped flat on the outskirts of Moscow. Her husband, a postman, was out of the…
-
Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 30
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 33,000 people continues to spread around the world, Russia has stepped up its measures to tackle the pandemic and prevent its spread within the country. There have been 1,534 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and nine deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…
-
Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | March 30
The Russian economy has been rocked by the coronavirus outbreak, and the breakdown of the OPEC+ oil production pact between Russia and Saudi Arabia. The turmoil has shocked traders around the world and resulted in sharp volatility on the Russian stock markets and swings in the value of the ruble — both of which are…
-
Moscow to Enforce Virus Lockdown With QR Code Passes – Meduza
Moscow authorities will enforce its citywide quarantine using QR codes assigned to residents as passes to leave their homes, the Meduza news website reported Sunday, citing a source close to the Russian capital’s coronavirus crisis center. The partial lockdown in the city of 12.7 million came into force Monday, allowing Muscovites to leave their homes…
-
Update set of measures regardig COVID-19 i Severstal
March 30, 2020 Further to reports on Friday 27th March that one of Severstal’s employees was being tested for COVID-19, the Company updates that the employee’s test results have now come back positive, confirming that he has the virus. Seven further employees with whom the confirmed case had been in contact are now also suspected…
-
Moscow Orders Citywide Quarantine Starting March 30
Moscow will enact an indefinite citywide quarantine starting Monday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said as the city’s number of coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000 over the weekend. The self-isolation order will apply to all residents regardless of age. According to the decree, Moscow residents will only be allowed to leave their homes for: Emergency medical care; Traveling…
-
Head of Russia’s Orthodox Church Tells Worshippers to Stay Home
The head of Russia‘s Orthodox Church exhorted believers on Sunday to pray from their homes in the latest call from religious leaders around the world to avoid gatherings that could help the coronavirus’ spread. Russia has been relatively lightly hit so far, with nine deaths and 1,534 cases, but it recorded 270 new infections in the last…
-
Moscow Mayor Says Coronavirus Outbreak Has Entered New Phase
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday that the coronavirus outbreak had entered a new phase as the total number of cases in the Russian capital exceeded 1,000 with many Muscovites going out despite a plea to stay home. Authorities in Moscow, Russia‘s worst-affected area, shut shops and entertainment venues from Saturday and urged Muscovites to stay…
-
Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 29
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 30,000 people continues to spread around the world, Russia has stepped up its measures to tackle the pandemic and prevent its spread within the country. There have been 1,534 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and eight deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…
-
Russia’s Coronavirus Cases Jump to 1,534 in New Record One-Day Rise
Russia’s officially reported numbers — which are still smaller than those in European countries — have sparked suspicion as they spiked in the past week. Experts warn that Russia’s testing capacity is hampered by bureaucracy, while officials warn that the real number of cases is likely much higher. Most of the cases are in Moscow.…
-
Russia to Close Borders to Curb Coronavirus
Russia will close all border crossings on March 30, the government said on Saturday, tightening restrictions after the country reported its biggest one-day rise in new coronavirus cases. The authorities said they so far had recorded 1,264 confirmed cases, an increase of 228 in 24 hours, and ordered that all vehicle, rail and pedestrian checkpoints,…
-
Lentil Soup Four Ways
People will do astonishing things for a bowl of lentil soup. Take Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah in the Biblical Book of Genesis, who sells his birthright to his brother Jacob for a dish of red lentils. And without much hesitation either. “…Esau came from the field, and he was faint And Esau…
-
Dour Moscow Mayor Comes to Fore as ‘PM for Coronavirus’
At a televised meeting with Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin flatly told the president that official figures on coronavirus cases were far from the reality. That’s because people are staying home sick and because there has not been enough testing, he said Tuesday, so “no one knows the real picture.” After that reality check,…
-
Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 28
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 24,000 people continues to spread around the world, Russia has stepped up its measures to tackle the pandemic and prevent its spread within the country. There have been 1,036 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and four deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…
-
Gazprom continuing consistent work on import substitution
March 27, 2020, 18:50 The Gazprom Management Committee took note of the information about the progress achieved in terms of import substitution efforts in 2019, as well as about the measures to facilitate the integration of domestically-manufactured equipment and technologies in the production operations of the Gazprom Group. It was highlighted that the intensive work in this sphere in conjunction with Russia’s science and technology complex is aimed at reinforcing the technological…
-
Gazprom increases domestic sales of natural gas as vehicle fuel by 30 per cent in 2019
March 27, 2020, 18:45 The Gazprom Management Committee held a meeting in absentia. The Management Committee took note of the information about the Company’s ongoing efforts for the development of the NGV market in the Russian Federation. It was highlighted that the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel helps substantially reduce transport costs and environmental impacts. The sales of natural gas via Gazprom’s refueling facilities continue to grow, demonstrating…
-
Russia’s Aeroflot Still Flying Limited International Routes Despite Virus Grounding Order
Russia’s state carrier Aeroflot is continuing to operate a limited number of flights abroad despite the Russian government’s order to ground all international flights that took effect at midnight Friday. The government decree published Thursday orders aviation authorities to halt all regular and charter flights to and from other countries, with the exception of special…
-
Thousands of Workers Stuck On Remote Arctic Construction Sites
Russian companies argue that work must go on, as they isolate several large industrial sites in the Arctic. The result is that many thousands of workers are stranded on site, unable to get back to their homes in the central parts of the country. Among the construction sites that have now been closed to the…
-
Kremlin Confirms First Coronavirus Infection in Putin’s Administration
The Kremlin has confirmed the first known coronavirus case in the presidential administration Friday, saying that the official had no contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the news to reporters a day after Russian media reported that at least two Kremlin officials may have tested positive for Covid-19. “I can…
-
Gazprom instructed to proceed to pre-investment phase in Power of Siberia 2 project
Message to the Media March 27, 2020, 17:15 A working meeting took place today between Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee. Alexey Miller briefed Vladimir Putin on the ongoing activities in the autumn/winter period, the Company’s main accomplishments in 2019 and its plans for 2020. Particular attention was paid to the potential for enhancing gas…
-
With Sports On Hold, Russia’s Gamblers Bet on Coronavirus
As the coronavirus pandemic has put sporting events around the world on hold, Russian bookkeepers and gambling enthusiasts have hinged their bets on something else: the coronavirus pandemic. Major sporting events such as the UEFA Europa League and Champions League have been some of the first things to be shut down as world leaders worked…
-
Russia Uncovers ‘Buckwheat Cartel’ Amid Virus Outbreak
Russia’s antitrust agency said it has uncovered signs of price-fixing in the buckwheat market amid the country’s panic-buying spree fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, news agencies reported Friday. Alongside toilet paper, buckwheat has been a staple of choice for Russian shoppers to stockpile as the number of Covid-19 cases has climbed, with sales of buckwheat jumping…
-
Spend an Evening at the Bolshoi
The Bolshoi Theater, like every other theater in Moscow, has had to close its doors until mid-April (if not longer). But to keep up the spirits of all ballet and opera lovers, they are putting up six of their best performances on YouTube for free, starting with “Swan Lake” this Friday. All the performances from…
-
How is the Russian Military Fighting the Coronavirus?
Russia’s Armed Forces have announced steps to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic as cases continue to rise and medics warn of the disease’s potentially “explosive” spread. President Vladimir Putin has ordered an inspection on March 25-28 into the troops’ readiness for a mass infection. The number of Covid-19 cases in Russia has…
-
Corporate Telehealth System Introduced at RN-Severnaya Neft Polar Fields
A corporate telehealth* system has been introduced at remote fields of RN-Severnaya Neft, a subsidiary of Rosneft Oil Company, which has connected six healthcare facilities located beyond the Arctic Circle and in the Polar Region with the Nenets District Hospital.
-
Renowned Soviet Singer Lev Leshchenko Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Renowned Soviet singer Lev Leshchenko has tested positive for the coronavirus, the head doctor at the Moscow hospital treating coronavirus patients confirmed Friday. Leshchenko, 78, is one of the most high-profile Russian celebrities to test positive for the virus and is best-known for his rendition of “Den Pobedy (Victory Day)” and the closing ceremony song…
-
Russia’s Coronavirus Cases Surpass 1,000 in Biggest One-Day Jump
Russia’s officially reported numbers — which are still smaller than those in European countries — have sparked suspicion as they spiked in the past week. Experts warn that Russia’s testing capacity is hampered by bureaucracy, while officials warn that the real number of cases is likely much higher. Most of the new cases, 157, are…
-
How Much of a Hit Will Russia’s Economy Take From the Coronavirus? It’s Anybody’s Guess.
Since the coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic, and as Russia walked away from the OPEC+ deal, sending energy and financial markets into a tailspin, two questions have dominated analysis about the state of the Russian — and global — economy. How well prepared are we, and how bad will the damage be? As…
-
Russian Military Says Busloads of Troops Near Moscow ‘Routine’
Russian National Guard troops have been deployed in Moscow as part of a planned action that should not cause panic, the military branch said Thursday. Footage of a Moscow-bound bus convoy with men in military fatigues circulated widely online that day. Coupled with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s closure of public gathering places for a week starting…
-
Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | March 27
The Russian economy has been rocked by the coronavirus outbreak, and the breakdown of the OPEC+ oil production pact between Russia and Saudi Arabia. The turmoil has shocked traders around the world and resulted in sharp volatility on the Russian stock markets and swings in the value of the ruble — both of which are…
-
Majority of Russians Doubt Official Coronavirus Data – Poll
A majority of Russians don’t believe their country’s official coronavirus data, according to a study published by the independent Levada Center pollster Thursday. Russia has reported 840 cases of coronavirus and three deaths, a number that has drawn widespread skepticism as numbers in neighboring Europe have soared. This week, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who is…
-
Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 27
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 24,000 people continues to spread around the world, Russia has stepped up its measures to tackle the pandemic and prevent its spread within the country. There have been 840 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and three deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…
-
Putin Calls for Sanctions ‘Moratorium’ at G20 Summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for sanctions relief during the coronavirus pandemic, telling G20 leaders it was a matter “of life and death.” The leader did not specify which countries should be earmarked for sanctions relief, speaking instead more broadly. “Ideally we should introduce a… joint moratorium on restrictions on essential goods as…
-
ROSATOM Director General Makes Statement on COVID-19 Situation
ROSATOM Director General Makes Statement on COVID-19 Situation. «Ensuring nuclear safety and safeguarding the lives and health of both our employees and the general public has been our first and utmost priority for decades. Safety is ROSATOM’s key value. We have always had contingency plans for any kind of emergency situations, including those related to…
-
Russia Thanks ‘Real Friend’ Jack Ma for Gift of a Million Virus Masks
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…
-
Russia Sees World’s Highest Pornhub Traffic Spike Amid Coronavirus Crisis
Russian internet users represented the world’s biggest increase in traffic to Pornhub over the past month as the coronavirus crisis has deepened, the adult website said in a study Wednesday. The large numbers coincide with BBC Russia’s report documenting a surge in condom and adult sex toy purchases from online retailers this month. “I can…
-
In Photos: Russia’s New Coronavirus Reality
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…
-
As Coronavirus Worries Rise, Can Foreigners Still Leave Russia and Return Home?
Starting March 27, Russia will indefinitely ground all international flights in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus within its borders — but foreigners in Russia still have some available options to leave the country and return home, travel agencies told The Moscow Times. Russia saw a spike in confirmed coronavirus cases this…
-
Russia Orders Twitter, Facebook to Delete ‘Fake’ Coronavirus News
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…
-
Be an Audience of One
The Moscow Philharmonic has launched “armchair concerts” — concerts held in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall to an audience on one: the host. The hosts introduce the performers, composers and music, and then you sit back in your armchair, or desk chair, or dining room chair and enjoy a beautifully filmed and recorded concert. On Thursday at…