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…

Russia’s Coronavirus Aid Arrives in Italy

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…

Immerse Yourself in Russian Art

The physical Tretyakov Gallery is, of course, closed, but it has a wealth of online excursions and films, and is starting a series of concerts, films, excursions and lectures with the hashtag #ТретьяковкаДома, which can be found here. Most are in Russian, but upcoming concerts held in the halls of the museum don’t require any…

‘Pro-Western’ Activists Posing as Journalists Are Infiltrating Russia’s Military, Defense Minister Claims

Members of a “pro-Western opposition division” in Russia are posing as journalists to “hide behind” the country’s mass media law and infiltrate its military facilities, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday. Speaking to Russia’s upper chamber of parliament, Shoigu urged lawmakers to change the nation’s mass media law to counter so-called “information attacks.”  “[These activists]…

Sakhalin Energy Offloaded 1,800th Standard LNG Cargo

News from projects and regions March 25, 2020, 16:00 Earlier today at the Port of Prigorodnoye, the 1,800th LNG cargo produced at the Sakhalin-2 LNG plant operated since 2009, was loaded onto the Hyundai Aquapia LNG carrier. The destination country for this cargo, purchased by KOGAS company, is South Korea. It is also worth to note that this is the first port call of the ship…

Quake Hits Off Russia’s Kuril Islands, Prompting Tsunami Alert

A 7.2-magnitude quake hit off Russia’s Kuril Islands on Wednesday, prompting local residents to seek higher ground due to a brief tsunami threat, authorities said. The Russian emergencies ministry said the quake’s epicentre was 210 kilometers (130 miles) southeast of Severo-Kurilsk, a town of around 2,500 people on the Kuril island of Paramushir.  Officials reported no…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | March 25

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…

Watch a Prophetic Film

Flipping through the film catalog… looking for something relevant… Oh! Here’s something: the 1937 film “Bílá nemoc” (The White Plague), directed by and starring Czech director Hugo Haas  and based on a play by Czech writer Karel Čapek. It’s about a bellicose, nationalist leader whose plans to invade a smaller country are complicated by a…

Arctic Oil Faces Crisis

The coronavirus and subsequent global economic meltdown is taking its toll on developments in Arctic waters. Norway’s Equinor is reducing staff on platforms and operating costs are cut to the bone. On Sunday the company announced that it was suspending a large €5 billion share buy-back programme. At the same time, the development of new projects…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 25

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 18,000 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 495 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and one death. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…

Russia’s Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Jump to 495

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…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | March 24

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…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 24

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 14,000 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 438 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and one death. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…

Russian Medical Specialist Suspected of Working While Infected

Russian investigators opened a criminal case on Monday against a top infections specialist who tested positive for the coronavirus after visiting Spain but neglecting to self-isolate afterwards.  The negligence probe was launched after an infectious disease professor and top health care consultant in the southern Stavropol region became patient zero for the coronavirus there, exposing…

Hear a Poem Every Day

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…

On This Day in 1877 Felix Yusupov Was Born

Today marks what would be the 143rd birthday of Prince Felix Yusupov. Although the aristocrat is most often remembered as the assassin of Grigory Rasputin, his hedonistic yet charitable nature made him a notable character among his royal contemporaries.  Yusupov was born in Saint Petersburg to a princess and a count. The family was wealthier…

Russia and Turkey Cut Short Joint Patrol in Syria’s Idlib

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…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 23

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 14,000 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 438 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and one death. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…

Russia’s Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Jump to 438

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…

Russian Theater’s Solution to Virus: An Audience of One

One of Russia’s most distinguished opera and ballet companies has an innovative solution to prohibitions on public gatherings over the coronavirus: playing to an audience of one. The Perm Opera and Ballet Theater, a Urals city company famed for its cutting-edge projects, said it would be launching the “One on One” performances from the end…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 22

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 11,000 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 306 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and one death. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases…

Russia’s Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Jump to 306

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…

Got Grechka? Make a Grain Bowl!

So, you’ve cornered the grechka market.  Well done. Now what? You picked an excellent grain to stockpile. Buckwheat packs an incredible nutritional punch: it promotes heart health and is a superb source of many key vitamins and minerals (including thiamin, niacin, and folate) as well as protein and fiber.  Buckwheat is one of those foods…

Tour Marina Tsvetayeva’s Apartment Online On Saturday

Russian museums are not just museums; they are hubs of culture, lectures, tours, films, plays, concerts and other special events. One of the most active is the Marina Tsvetayeva house museum, founded in 1992. For decades one of the residents, Nadezhda Katayeva-Lytkina, fought to preserve the house and legacy of the poet. Marina Tsvetayeva had…