Head of Russian State Pollster Sued for Calling Anti-Kremlin Protesters ‘Scum’
The head of the state-backed pollster VTsIOM, Valery Fyodorov, is being sued for comments he made during an interview.
Why Hospitals Started Displaying Newborn Babies Through Windows
How peering at babies through glass became a feel-good staple of American maternity wards
A Moscow Weekend Getaway to Jerusalem
If you’re looking to escape the roar of Moscow for the Russian countryside and fresh air, the town of Istra might be the place for you. It’s home to a magnificent monastery, and was inspiration to writers and artists.
Young Men Detained For Criticizing Kadyrov in Online Messenger
Around 10 young men were arrested in Chechnya for allegedly criticizing the republic’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, in online messengers.
Gogol Falls Off Central Moscow Landmark
A sculpture of Russian writer Nikolai Gogol has fallen from a building in central Moscow famous for its stucco depictions of Russian literary figures
In Siemens Turbines Scandal, Russia Has Most to Lose (Op-ed)
The Kremlin has deprived the whole country of fully functioning turbines by transferring them to Crimea secretly
Charges Dropped Against Activist for ‘Non-Compliance’ With Foreign Agents Law
Valentina Cherevatenko, head of the “Women of the Don” NGO in southern Russia, was the first person to be prosecuted under the law.
Remains of WWII Soviet Soldiers Discovered on Kuril Islands
The remains of 47 Soviet soldiers and three Japanese soldiers have been found on Shumshu Island, the northernmost point in the Pacific Kuril Island chain.
How the Gulag Lives On in Russia’s Prison Economy (Op-ed)
In Russia, running a prison is a business
Three Generations of Inuit Women Defy Exploitation by Visualizing Resilience and Love
A grandmother, a mother and a daughter, all took up pen and ink to tell their stories
Math Lecturer Dmitry Bogatov Placed Under House Arrest
The Memorial human rights NGO has named Bogatov a political prisoner.
Math Professor Dmitry Bogatov Placed Under House Arrest
The Memorial human rights NGO has named Bogatov a political prisoner.
Russians at Youth Forum Complain of Expensive Condoms
Participants of an educational youth forum in the Vladimir region have complained to the head of Russia’s consumer watchdog about the excessively high cost of condoms
Metro Bombing Suspects Allege ‘Russian Guantanamo’ Near Moscow
Abror Azimov has said men who introduced themselves as retired FSB officers subjected him to electric shocks and fake drowning.
Russia’s HIV Rates Highest in Three Siberian Cities
The Siberian cities of Kemerovo, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk have highest rates of the HIV virus in Russia, according to the chief of Russia’s health watchdog.
Jackie Kennedy Was the Undisputed Style Icon of her Era
To Jackie Kennedy, appearance was everything
Young Russians Show Their Love for New York
Relations between Russia and the U.S. may be bad, but that hasn’t stopped young people from wearing New York-themed apparel. Shirts and hats with “Yankees” or “Brooklyn” can be seen from Moscow to Novosibirsk.
Muscovites Hesitant to Protest Housing Demolition Scheme, Poll Finds
One-third of Muscovites who voted against the controversial housing demolition program would participate in protests against the scheme, according to a poll published by independent pollster the Levada Center.
Russians Rally Against Internet Crackdown
Protesters took to the streets in central Moscow on Sunday to demonstrate against government’s crackdown on internet.
Most Requests to Remove Online Content Come From Russia, Google Says
The Russian government asks Google to remove online content more often than all other governments combined.
Weekend in Moscow: Markets, Art and Hopscotch
This weekend, Moscow is going back to its ancient tradition of the weekend market – only now with haute couture and food trucks. Street art and street games round out the weekend.
Russia’s Biggest Air Show
Russia’s biennial International Air and Space Salon — known as MAKS, its Russian acronym — launched on Tuesday and will run through Sunday.
Putin Answers Kids’ Questions Ahead of Election Year (Live Blog)
The president will be answering questions from students and children across the country.
Let the Campaigns Begin! Putin and Navalny Tussle for Media Attention
“It is a politically hot summer in Moscow, despite the weather”
50 Shades of Russian Flirtation
In a shop I saw a charming guy sweet-talking the saleswoman. He looked pleased with himself, she smiled in spite of herself, and I understood everything — except what she said.
Rare ‘Putin Watch’ Fetches More Than $1 Mln at Monaco Auction
The Russian president reportedly has a soft spot for luxurious watches
Russia’s Top Goalscorer Considers Switch to ‘Swamp Football’
The most prolific goalscorer in the history of Russian football, Alexander Kerzhakov, may join St. Petersburg’s swamp football team, according to the swamp footballer who asked him to join.
Siemens Cuts Ties With Russian State Companies Over Crimea Breach
Siemens said Russia had “illegally moved to Crimea against clear contractual agreements” four gas turbines the firm had delivered for a project on the Russian mainland in Taman.
Azerbaijan Sentences Russian-Israeli Travel Blogger to 3 Years Behind Bars
A court in Azerbaijan sentenced popular Russian-Israeli travel blogger Alexander Lapshin to three years in prison on Thursday
ExxonMobil Given $2 Mln Fine for Breaching Anti-Russia Sanctions in Dealing With Sechin
The American oil giant was found to have conducted business with Igor Sechin, the head of the state-owned Rosneft in May 2014.
This Bridge Transforms Data on Weather, Traffic and Twitter Rants into a Beautiful Light Display
The Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal lights up the skyline with the mood of the city
Navalny Protester Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison
A participant of an anti-corruption rally has been handed a 2.5-year-prison sentence.
The Kremlin Is Planning Its Own Version of Stone’s ‘Putin Interviews’
A Russian film company has announced it will produce a feature-length documentary about President Vladimir Putin in the lead-up to the March 2018 elections
How Sunbathing Became a National Craze in the 1930s
Tanning was big business in the 1930s, as people sought to recreate the sun-kissed California beach look
A Tribute to Lyudmila Alexeyeva, Human Rights Veteran Turned 90
The veteran human rights defender turns 90.
Russia Ranked Among Worst Countries to Be a Pensioner
Russia has staked its claim as one of the five worst countries in the world for pensioners, according to a new report.
In Trump’s Russia Affair, The Dust Never Seems to Settle (Op-ed)
Last week, it was revelations of an undisclosed meeting between senior Trump campaign officials, including the president’s son and son-in-law, and a Russian lawyer with clear ties to senior Russian officials.
Growth in Russia’s Arms Exports Predicted After 5-Year Lull
Russia’s arms exports are projected to grow in 2017 for the first time in five years
Russian Opposition Journalist Latynina’s Home Attacked With Pungent Gas
Latynina said the attack had two messages: “We know where your parents live,” and “You, Yulia Latynina, are a skunk.”
Russian Ranking Shows Black Sea Resorts Most Popular Among Foreign Tourists
Black Sea towns are the most popular.
State Duma Agrees on Prison Term for Carousel Voting
The State Duma has unanimously approved amendments to the Criminal Code that could see Russians caught organizing election fraud landed with heavy fines or time behind bars, the parliament’s press service said Wednesday.
American Pioneer in Moscow Media Dies at Age 59
American media entrepreneur, Andrew Paulson, died of cancer on Tuesday. He was 59 years old.
The Real Story of North Korean Labor Camps in Russia (Op-ed)
North Korean workers in Russia are climbing the social ladder, providing for their families, and gaining financial stability, writes Andrei Lankov of Moscow’s Carnegie Center.
The True Story of Dunkirk, As Told Through the Heroism of the “Medway Queen”
Retrofitted by the British Navy, the paddleboat saved 7,000 men over many dangerous trips across the Channel
When New York City Rioted Over Hamlet Being Too British
In the deadly Astor Place Riot, how to perform Shakespeare served as a proxy for class warfare
How the Soviet Union Celebrated Its First Olympics
On this day in 1980, all eyes were on Moscow for the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics.
On Trump’s New Man in Russia, Jon Huntsman, Moscow Says ‘Wait and See’
The former China envoy is facing a tough crowd
A Weekend in Italy — In the Center of Moscow
Want to go to Italy for the weekend? Can’t get away? Go to the Hermitage Garden Italia Fest instead.
Founder of Online ‘Blue Whale’ Suicide Group Sentenced
The young Russian man behind an online suicide game called “Blue Whale” has been sentenced to three years and four months behind bars
Moscow Court Sentences 12 ‘Mind-Readers’ For Fraud
A court in Moscow sentenced 12 individuals posing as mind-readers to suspended sentences and jail terms for fraud, the Prosecutor General’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.
State Duma Passes Law to Strip Terrorists of Russian Citizenship
Under the new amendment, terrorists could have their Russian citizenship revoked.
Opposition’s Roizman Drops out of Governor’s Race, Calls for Election Boycott
Maverick opposition politician Yevgeny Roizman has said voters are being deceived.
Russian Court Orders Navalny to Pay $35K in Kirovles Fraud Case
A Moscow district court ordered opposition leader Alexei Navalny and two co-defendants to pay 2.16 million rubles ($35,500) in damages to a timber company, the state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported
Russia and Poland Feud Over Demolition of Soviet War Monuments
Russian and Polish officials exchanged harsh words on Tuesday over Poland’s most recent move to demolish Soviet-era war monuments
White House Appoints ‘Hardline’ Jon Huntsman as Ambassador to Russia
The former envoy to China is set to be the new Ambassador to Russia as the Trump administration battles scandal.
Don’t Tolerate the Intolerable from Chechnya’s Strongman Kadyrov (Op-ed)
Kadyrov was making vile threats long before his HBO interview. It’s time for international action.
Moscow City Hall Allows Opposition March in Defense of Internet Freedom
Moscow City Hall has authorized an opposition rally in defense of internet freedom to be held later this month.
Russia Ordered to Pay $6 Mln for Seizing Greenpeace’s ‘Arctic Sunrise’
Russia has been ordered to pay 5.4 million euros ($6.25 million) in damages to the Netherlands for seizing the “Arctic Sunrise” Greenpeace ship and detaining its crew in 2013.
Russian Women May Be Among IS Fighters Detained in Iraq
Iraqi security forces reportedly detained an unidentified number of Russian women following a military operation in the city of Mosul, according to unconfirmed reports
Kazan to Host World Swimming Contest as Russia Struggles to Recover From Doping Scandal
Russian sport finally gets some good news.