Russia’s ‘Isolation Art’ Takes the Internet By Storm

A Russian Facebook project called ART-ISOLATION has art enthusiasts across the country tapping into their quarantine creativity by recreating iconic paintings from art history. The rules are simple: no photoshop, post only your own creations done during self-isolation with materials you already have at home, and no commentary. The creative challenge has quickly become a…

Kremlin Looks to ‘Scare’ Russians Into Isolation While Fighting Panic – Kommersant

The Kremlin faces the dual task of scaring Russians into self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic while also tamping down public fears about the virus, the Kommersant business daily reported Monday. Most Russian regions have ordered lockdowns similar to Moscow’s in recent days as President Vladimir Putin declared April a “non-working” month to encourage self-isolation during…

Russian Regions’ Crowded Queues Spark Coronavirus Concern

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 Report on Boris Johnson’s Coronavirus Ventilation ‘Disinformation,’ Britain Says

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman dismissed as disinformation a Russian media report Monday that he was to undergo artificial lung ventilation after being hospitalized with persistent coronavirus symptoms. Johnson said he tested positive for coronavirus on March 27 and was due to re-emerge from seven days of self-isolation Friday. Downing Street announced Sunday that Johnson…

Spend a Day or Two in the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts has an excellent virtual museum on their site – actually, it’s five virtual museum collections and seven separate exhibitions. You can wander through the main building of the Pushkin Museum, spend time in the Museum of Private Collections, expand your perception of late 19th and early 20th century European…

Mikhailovsky Theater Dancers “Perform” From Home

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…

ROSATOM facility inks long-term contract for supply of nuclear fuel components to ETRR-2 reactor in Egypt

Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (NCCP), an enterprise of ROSATOM’s TVEL Fuel Company, and the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority have signed 10-years term contract for supply of low-enriched nuclear fuel components, such as uranium and aluminum items, for ETRR-2 research reactor. ETRR-2, a research reactor of Argentinian design, is based at the Nuclear Research Center in…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | April 6

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 6

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 69,000 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 6,343 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 47 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 5

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 64,000 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 4,731 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 43 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as…

Stay or Go? French Fly Home from Russia Amid Pandemic

Christian Querouix, a 69-year-old pensioner, who shares his time between France and Russia, had a difficult choice to make. Should he return to France, one of the European countries most affected by the coronavirus, or stay in Russia where the number of infected people is growing by the day?  “I have diabetes and I am…

Two Dead in Gas Explosion Outside Moscow

Two people were killed and six injured when a gas explosion ripped through a five-storey residential building outside Moscow on Saturday, with rescue workers still looking for survivors.  The blast took place in the town of Orekhovo-Zuyevo during stay-at-home orders aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The emergencies ministry said two people were…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 4

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 53,000 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 4,731 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 43 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as…

Italy and Russia Spar Over Alleged Coronavirus Spies

Italy was engaged in a war of words with Russia on Friday over allegations Moscow hid spies among doctors it had sent to the country’s coronavirus epicenter near Milan. The unusual exchange between the traditionally friendly nations followed the publication of an Italian newspaper story about the purportedly nefarious nature of the Russian mission. The Russians came…

Moscow’s Coronavirus Quarantine, Explained

Moscow enacted a strict self-isolation order this week as city authorities seek to clamp down on the coronavirus pandemic that has infected nearly 3,000 of the Russian capital’s residents. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Thursday extended the quarantine until at least May 1, meaning 12 million people will be expected to stay in their homes for…

Moscow’s Air Pollution Drops As Coronavirus Lockdown Sets In

Air pollution in Moscow has significantly fallen as the coronavirus pandemic has pushed the city’s 12 million residents indoors and shuttered all nonessential business, the pro-Kremlin Izvestia newspaper reported Friday. The Russian capital has ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the country due to heavy traffic congestion which releases toxic fumes. Mayor…

ROSATOM enterprises have begun sterilising medical masks

Moscow, 2 April 2020 – Sterion JSC, a part of JSC Rusatom Healthcare created by ROSATOM alongside a private investor, has signed a contract with Delrus company to sterilize more than 58 million medical masks. Delrus supplies sterile masks to Russian medical facilities. Masks need to be sterilised before use because their inner lining comes…

Russia Sends Military Coronavirus Aid to Serbia

Russia has sent military medics and equipment to Serbia, the latest country Moscow is helping to fight the global coronavirus pandemic as it also flexes its soft power muscles. Russia’s Defense Ministry pledged to send 11 flights with 87 army medics to Serbia after President Vladimir Putin spoke with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic by phone…

Controversial Soviet-Era Statue Removed in Prague

Prague authorities on Friday said they had removed a controversial Soviet-era statue, despite protests from Moscow, to make way for a World War II memorial. Plans to remove the bronze statue of Soviet general Ivan Konev triggered a sharp reaction from Moscow last year. While Konev is regarded as a hero in Russia, many Czechs…

‘A City That Could Be the Russian Bergamo.’ How Ulyanovsk Is Preparing for the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Читайте русскую версию здесь. “Oh, come on! Virus? What virus?” Olga, a 35-year-old businesswoman waved her hand dismissively. “It’s a conspiracy, not a virus. Whose conspiracy? The Chinese, who do you think?! They released it so they could get ahead of Europe and Russia and rule the world. They’ve got a vaccine for it.” Olga,…

Moscow Won’t Require QR Code Coronavirus Lockdown Passes, for Now

Moscow will not enforce its coronavirus quarantine with scannable QR codes, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced Thursday, leaving room for a reversal if residents stop following self-isolation orders during the pandemic. Sobyanin extended citywide lockdown measures until May 1 immediately after President Vladimir Putin announced a month-long extension of the nationwide paid “non-working” period to encourage…

Russia’s Leading Climate Change Expert Gives Sober Prognosis

Russia’s top climate scientist Dr. Vladimir Kattsov is confident that serious environmental changes lie in store this century. “Russia is among the countries where the average warming greatly exceeds the global average, and Russia is warming especially quickly the closer you get to the Arctic,” Kattsov, 58, told The Moscow Times in an interview in…

Join a Poetry Marathon in Moscow at Noon on Friday

This Friday at noon, the venerable Polytechnic Museum is hosting #ПолитехLive, a poetry marathon of more than 50 poets and readers that will last until midnight. Aired here on the museum’s YouTube channel, it will hosted by the poet and dramatist Andrei Rodionov. Among the poets whose work will be read: Dmitry Vodennikov, Linor Goralik,…

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | April 3

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 53,000 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 4,149 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 34 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | April 3

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 Restricts Grain Exports Amid Pandemic

Russia on Thursday published a government decree establishing an export quota for certain grains until the end of June as its virus cases spiked. The measures came after the heads of three global agencies including the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned countries against imposing export restrictions that could interrupt…

Kremlin Denies Putin Spoke to Saudi Crown Prince

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…

Putin Extends Nationwide Paid Holiday as Coronavirus Numbers See Sharpest Rise Yet

President Vladimir Putin announced the extension of Russia’s nationwide “non-working week” until April 30 after the country registered a sharp increase in coronavirus cases on Thursday.  Confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia spiked overnight with 771 new cases registered across the country, bringing official totals to 3,548 infections and 30 deaths. Speaking in a televised address,…

Accept an Invitation Into a Pianist’s Home

Zaryadye Hall, Moscow’s newest and perhaps best hall accoustically, is shuttered like every other public building in the city. But that doesn’t mean their program has been halted. There are plenty of concerts and performances that were taped and are available online on the hall YouTube channel. But some of the musicians who had planned…

Young Russian Journalist Dies From Coronavirus

A 36-year-old Russian journalist died from the coronavirus this week, authorities said on Thursday two days after her passing, drawing criticism for allegedly withholding the news. Anastasia Petrova, chief editor of the Delovoy Interes business weekly in the city of Perm 1,400 kilometers east of Moscow, was hospitalized with pneumonia on March 24. Regional health…

Russia’s Football Clubs Losing Almost $2M Every Day

Russia’s top football clubs are losing around one billion rubles a week ($12.8 million) as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. All sporting events in Russia have been canceled and the Russian Premier League season has been suspended until at least 31 May. Business daily RBC reported that the 16 clubs in Russia’s top league…

ROSATOM starts 3D printing Venturi valves for ventilators

Moscow, 1 April 2020 – Rusatom-Additive Technologies (RusAT, a subsidiary of ROSATOMs fuel company TVEL) has produced prototypes and is prepared to start 3D printing valves for Venturi oxygen masks – an important component of ventilators.  The need for these valves has increased substantially due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. RusAT’s production facilities have…

Who Paid for Russia’s Coronavirus Aid to the U.S.?

Russia sent a military plane carrying protective gear and ventilators to the United States on Wednesday to help the country battle the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Shortly after, the U.S. said it purchased the medical supplies from Russia, the State Department said Wednesday, contradicting the Kremlin’s initial description of the shipment as humanitarian aid. Who really paid…

Coronavirus Hits Russian Markets | April 2

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 2

As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 47,000 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 3,548 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 30 deaths. MT The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as…

Russians Risk Fines, Jail Time for Dodging Coronavirus Quarantine

Both houses of Russia’s parliament swiftly approved legislation Tuesday imposing severe punishments for spreading false information about the coronavirus and breaking quarantine rules as most regions have gone into lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed the bills — which include provisions for more accessible medication — into law,…

Russia Reserves $18B to Counter Coronavirus Crisis

Russia has earmarked almost $18 billion to battle the coronavirus pandemic, the prime minister said Wednesday as Moscow imposed a strict lockdown. The finance ministry “has reserved 1.4 trillion rubles ($17.8 billion) in all for fighting the spread of the coronavirus and carrying out anti-crisis measures,” Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told President Vladimir Putin during…