Moscow Opens New Coronavirus Hospital Built in 30 Days

A new Moscow hospital built in a little over a month to treat coronavirus patients has admitted its first 20 patients, the Moscow mayor’s office said Tuesday as the Russian capital continues to battle an onslaught of new cases. Construction of the Demikhov city clinical hospital No. 68 some 70 kilometers southwest of the city…

Africa Asks Russia for Coronavirus Aid: Foreign Ministry

A number of unidentified African countries have asked Russia to assist them in the fight against coronavirus, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. The continent has reported 23,499 cases and 1,161 deaths across 54 countries as of late Monday, according to a tally by the pan-African news outlet African Arguments. African leaders and financial institutions have…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 21

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 170,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 52,763 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 456 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of April 21.…

FSB Stops Refugees in Barents Sea

Today marks what is likely the first-ever attempt by individuals to enter Schengen Europe via the Barents Sea. The attempt occurred on Oct. 8, 2019, but first became known to the public today as the verdict from the Pechenga District Court was announced by the Murmansk region prosecutor’s office. Three Syrian citizens boarded a small motorboat in…

Russia’s Coronavirus Cases Rise By 5,642 Overnight

Russia’s officially reported numbers — which are still relatively lower than those in European countries — have sparked suspicion. Experts warn that Russia’s testing capacity is hampered by bureaucracy, while officials warn that the real number of cases is likely much higher. The majority of Russia’s cases are in Moscow. Since March 30, all of…

Moscow Court Cuts Jail Term for Activist Kotov

The Moscow City Court has ruled to reduce activist Konstantin Kotov’s four-year jail sentence for “multiple beaches” of  Russia’s protest law to 18 months, while also ruling that the guilty verdict was lawful, the RBC news website reported Monday, citing the court’s press-service. The hearing was reportedly conducted without visitors and journalists because of coronavirus…

Spend the Week in Moscow via Mos-kino

Mos-kino has upped their game this week to present an entire week of films, lectures, talks, excursions and videos about Moscow, from an online excursion with Airat Bagautdinov, the founder of the excellent Moscow From the Eyes of an Engineer tours, to short films about the city and videos of and by some of our…

Hundreds Rally Against Coronavirus Lockdown in Southern Russia

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 | April 20

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 160,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 47,121 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 405 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of April 20.…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | April 20

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. The latest on the markets,…

Russia’s Coronavirus Cases Rise By Over 4,000

Russia’s officially reported numbers — which are still relatively lower than those in European countries — have sparked suspicion. Experts warn that Russia’s testing capacity is hampered by bureaucracy, while officials warn that the real number of cases is likely much higher. The majority of Russia’s cases are in Moscow. Since March 30, all of…

Russia Marks Orthodox Easter Under Coronavirus Lockdown

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 Psychiatric Hospital

Dozens of patients and staff have been infected with the coronavirus at a psychiatric hospital in Russia’s northwestern Arkhangelsk region, leading to a sharp rise in local cases, Interfax reported Sunday, citing regional authorities. The Arkhangelsk state clinical psychiatric hospital was placed under quarantine Saturday when one of its employees was found to be infected.…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 19

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 160,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 42,853 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 361 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of April…

Quarantine Easter Egg Salad

Easter looms as I write this, and I’m wondering if the Russian Orthodox Church is going to embrace technology and hold massive Zoom sessions for the traditional blessing ritual. I will certainly miss the actual event, which draws photographers and foodies alike to it like moths to a searchlight. I love watching the faithful bring…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 18

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 150,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 36,793 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 313 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of April 18.…

Watch ‘Yevgeny Onegin’ on Stage in Novosibirsk

Timofei Kulyabin is one of Russia’s most celebrated young theater directors, and his version of Alexander Pushkin’s verse “Yevgeny Onegin” has been equally celebrated – with sell-out performaces and two Golden Mask Awards, Russia’s highest theater prize.  Kulyabin’s “Onegin” is set in today’s world – albeit a very sparsely inhabited and decorated world – and…

Russia Passes Dual Citizenship Law, Hoping to Add 10M Citizens

Russian lawmakers from both houses of parliament have passed legislation Friday allowing dual Russian citizenship for foreigners, sending it to President Vladimir Putin’s desk less than two weeks after introducing it. Lawmakers have described the amendments to Russia’s citizenship law, which among other steps strike down a requirement to renounce one’s existing citizenship, as “revolutionary.”…

Take a Virtual Journey to Russia’s Undiscovered Gems

With flights grounded, buses delayed and strolling heavily discouraged, it’s a difficult time for adventurers. For now, however, you can enjoy this virtual tour of some of Russia’s most stunning vistas, perhaps inspiring you to hit the road when quarantine measures are lifted. Located in every corner of Russia, with location names that reflect countless…

Russia Prepares to Mark Orthodox Easter Under Coronavirus Lockdown

Millions of Russians will celebrate Orthodox Easter this Sunday amid the coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 32,000 people and shut down all large gatherings nationwide. Despite strict lockdowns in most regions, the Russian Orthodox Church has largely resisted government recommendations to close places of worship to the public throughout the Holy Week and…

Russia Approves Unproven Malaria Drug to Treat Coronavirus

The Russian government has authorized hospitals to treat coronavirus patients with the untested malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which studies have linked to potentially deadly side effects. Thursday’s decree instructs Russia’s national medical cardiology research center to distribute 68,600 packs of hydroxychloroquine donated by a Shanghai pharmaceutical company to hospitals across Russia for free. More than a…

Dozens of Russian Cadets Involved With WWII Parade Rehearsals Infected With Coronavirus: Reports

Nearly 50 cadets and instructors involved in rehearsals for Russia’s now-postponed Victory Day parade have been infected with the coronavirus, the Baza Telegram channel reported Friday. Rear Adm. Anatoly Minakov, the head of St. Petersburg’s elite Nakhimov Naval School, confirmed to local media that he’s been hospitalized in Moscow with a fever awaiting test results. …

Soyuz Crew Lands Back on Earth Transformed by Pandemic

Two NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut on Friday made a safe return from the International Space Station to find the planet transformed by the coronavirus pandemic. Andrew Morgan, Jessica Meir and Oleg Skripochka touched down in central Kazakhstan at 05:16 a.m. GMT in the first returning mission since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | April 17

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. The latest on the markets,…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 17

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 145,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 32,008 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 273 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of April 17.…

Moscow to Treat Respiratory Infections as Coronavirus: Official

Moscow, the epicenter of Russia’s coronavirus outbreak, will begin treating respiratory infections as Covid-19 as the disease shows no signs of slowing down, a senior city official said Thursday. The city’s new directive comes a week after its decision to treat all pneumonia cases as potential coronavirus patients because the virus often causes pneumonia. Federal…

Putin and Xi Attack Attempts to Blame China for Late Virus Response

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday rejected as counterproductive attempts to blame Beijing for delaying informing the world about the coronavirus, the Kremlin said. Putin and Xi spoke after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration berated China for not sharing data more quickly.  Washington is also investigating the origins of the…

Putin Postpones 75th Victory Day Parade Over Coronavirus

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday postponed a landmark military parade to mark the 75th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II, as Russia struggles to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus. The “risks associated with the epidemic, whose peak has not passed yet, are extremely high,” Putin said. “This does not give me…

Russian Clinics Repurpose Snorkels to Fight Coronavirus

Russian hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic and running low on personal protective equipment are repurposing commercial snorkel masks to safeguard medical staff and patients, following a trend in Europe. The Russian branch of the French sports equipment company Decathlon told AFP it had “blocked” sales of 6,000 masks from dozens of shops around the…

Watch ‘Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes’

This week Rossiya1 channel has been airing the series “Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes,” based on the novel of the same name written by Guzel Yakhina and published in 2015. The book, which tells the story of a Tatar peasant woman who is exiled to Siberia after her husband is killed during a “dekulakization” campaign in…

Over 100 Migrant Workers Infected Near St. Petersburg

One-third of all coronavirus infections in a northwestern Russian region are concentrated in a crowded hostel that houses migrant workers involved in construction at an IKEA-owned shopping mall, local media reported Wednesday. The Leningrad region, which surrounds Russia’s second-largest city of St. Petersburg, has reported 330 Covid-19 cases since the start of the outbreak. Over…

Russia, U.S. Should Help Each Other During Pandemic: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes the global coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity for his country to work together with the United States, the Kremlin said Thursday. “President Putin believes this pandemic is the time to help each other,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, after U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered to send ventilators…

Russia Releases Footage of Fatal 2019 Plane Crash

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’s Novaya Gazeta Deletes Chechnya Lockdown Article After Kadyrov Threat

The independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper has deleted its investigation into the republic of Chechnya’s strict anti-coronavirus measures after Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov issued a threat to the journalist who wrote it. Kadyrov said Monday that Novaya Gazeta’s story on Chechens underreporting potential coronavirus symptoms out of fear for their safety would lead “someone” to “commit…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 16

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 134,000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic’s spread within its borders. There have been 27,938 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 232 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of April 16.…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | April 16

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. The latest on the markets,…

Russia Tested Anti-Satellite Missile, U.S. Says

Russia tested an anti-satellite weapon capable of destroying satellites in low orbit on Wednesday, U.S. Space Force chief Gen. John Raymond said, accusing Moscow of threatening U.S. space assets. The direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test “provides yet another example that the threats to U.S. and allied space systems are real, serious and growing,” he said. In…