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…

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…

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…

Russia Overturns First Jehovah’s Witnesses Convictions

A Russian court has overturned the convictions of six Jehovah’s Witnesses accused of extremism, marking the first instance of the group’s worshippers having their verdicts overturned in Russia, the group announced Wednesday. The court in Penza, some 550 kilometers southeast of Moscow, handed five adherents suspended two-year prison sentences in December. The sixth worshipper, Vladimir…

ROSATOM wins tender for neutron-flux monitoring equipment modernization at Kozloduy NPP units 5 and 6

Rusatom Service JSC (electric power division of ROSATOM) and Kozloduy NPP (Bulgaria) signed a contract on neutron-flux monitoring equipment modernization for units 5 and 6 of the plant. This contract was concluded, based on the results of a public tender, which was announced in September, 2019. Neutron-flux monitoring equipment plays an essential role in ensuring…

‘Nuclear Reaction’: Russian Medics Warn of ‘Explosive’ Coronavirus Spread

Russian doctors are preparing for an “explosive” escalation of the coronavirus situation across the country as the country’s number of cases began to increase exponentially, Moscow’s top infectious diseases specialist said Wednesday. As of Thursday, Russia has confirmed 840 cases of coronavirus and three deaths. Wednesday and Thursday saw Russia’s largest one-day increases in new…

CNIITMASH and Bureau Veritas are Starting Personnel and Welding Technology Certifica-tion According to European Norms in Russia

CNIITMASH JSC (belonging within JSC Atomenergomash, a machine-building division of ROSATOM) became the first in Russia official partner of Bureau Veritas Exploitation S.A.S (France) involved in weld-ing personnel and procedures certification according to European norms. Within the frames of the Partnership Agreement, CNIITMASH and Bureau Veritas will work together in certification of personnel and welding…

Champion of Murmansk Media Quits Over Censorship

Vyacheslav Gorodetsky says he can not accept the authorities’ growing interference in local journalism. Gorodetsky is a veteran in Murmansk media. In 2005 he established the B-Port, a news agency that has developed into a leading newsmaker in the north Russian region. Since then, much has changed in regional journalism. On March 25, the director…

‘The Government Doesn’t Believe in Small Businesses. The Feeling’s Mutual’: Russia’s Entrepreneurs Scramble For a Lifeline

Last week, Alla Komissarova sent a letter to her landlords, asking them to show a little flexibility towards the rent due for her two Moscow chocolate workshops over the next few months. Hand-made cakes and artisanal confectionery are not top of many Muscovites’ shopping lists as consumers start to worry about the looming economic hit…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 26

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 21,000 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 658 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and three deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | March 26

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 to Ground All International Flights Over Coronavirus

Russia will halt all international flights from midnight on Friday under a government decree listing new measures against the coronavirus outbreak. The decree published on Thursday orders aviation authorities to halt all regular and charter flights, with the exception of special flights evacuating Russian citizens from abroad. Russia’s civil aviation agency Rosaviatsiya will halt “regular…

Russian Fighter Jet Crashes Near Crimea, Pilot Missing

A Russian Su-27 fighter jet crashed off the coast of annexed Crimea late Wednesday, prompting a search-and-rescue mission in the Black Sea, news agencies cited the military as saying. The Su-27 was carrying out a planned mission when it vanished from radars at around 8 p.m. 50 kilometers from the Crimean town of Feodosia, according…