Moscow

Ukraine conducted long-range drone strikes on several major Russian oil refineries, including the Slavneft-Yanos refinery in Yaroslavl, the Taneco refinery in Tatarstan, and the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in Orenburg. The attacks caused fires, injuries, and significant damage, with all 11 of Russia’s largest refineries now hit at least once. Ukraine aims to disrupt Russia’s oil revenues and fuel supply for its war effort, while Russia has intensified retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

22 reports · 7 sources · Updated Aug 20, 08:36 AM UTC

Since mid-July 2026, Ukraine has launched repeated drone strikes on logistics centers of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, damaging or destroying 17–27% of its warehouse capacity. The attacks, including a record-distance strike on a facility in Yekaterinburg 1,700 km from the border, have caused direct damages of €1–2.1 billion and losses of €2.3–3 billion for sellers. Sales at pickup points have dropped 50%, threatening tens of thousands of small businesses and potentially forcing a government bailout or triggering bankruptcies.

21 reports · 8 sources · Updated Aug 18, 09:28 AM UTC

Ukraine launched multiple drone attacks on Wildberries logistics centers in Russia’s Krasnodar and Stavropol regions, injuring at least eight people and causing massive fires. President Zelenskyy framed the strikes as “long-range sanctions” targeting facilities supplying the Russian military with drone components and navigation gear. The Kremlin condemned the attacks as terrorism. Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, suffered an estimated $2 billion in damage, with about 7% of its warehouse capacity destroyed. The strikes are part of Ukraine’s strategy to bring the war back to Russian territory.

40 reports · 16 sources · Updated Aug 5, 08:13 AM UTC

On August 2, 2026, a bomb exploded at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow during a birthday celebration for Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The attack killed five people, including a woman carrying the bomb disguised as a gift, and injured 21. Chaiko survived. Russian media suspect Ukrainian involvement, though internal military rivalries are also cited. The incident has sparked elite privilege backlash and heightened fear among Moscow’s elites.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 4, 01:17 PM UTC

On August 1, 2026, an explosion near the upscale Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow killed three people and injured 21. Russian authorities, including the National Anti-Terrorism Committee and Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, labeled it a terrorist attack. A woman attempted to bring a homemade explosive device into the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard; the bomb detonated, killing the woman, the guard, and a guest. The restaurant was closed for a private event, possibly a general’s birthday. The motive remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 8, 01:40 PM UTC

Andrea Pirlo's expected appointment as head coach of the Italian national football team is in jeopardy after his role as global ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet sparked political backlash. Italian and European politicians, including European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, criticized Pirlo for normalizing the Putin regime amid the Ukraine war. Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina is investigating Pirlo's ties to Fonbet and Russian oligarch Sergey Lomakin, delaying the appointment. Pirlo, currently coaching Dubai United, may terminate his Fonbet contract to salvage the deal.

38 reports · 13 sources · Updated Jul 28, 04:14 AM UTC

FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly traveling to Moscow to meet with Russia's FSB security service, a visit that comes amid plummeting trust among US allies in American intelligence agencies. While such high-level contacts occurred under previous administrations, Patel's controversial reputation—described as thin-skinned and bombastic—and his refusal to acknowledge Russian interference in US politics have alarmed partners. The article also criticizes former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and her temporary replacement Bill Pulte, as well as President Trump's careless handling of classified information, including storing documents at Mar-a-Lago and sharing secrets with Russians. The analysis warns that these patterns are eroding the credibility and reliability of US intelligence sharing with allies.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 09:17 AM UTC

On July 23, 2026, a Russian Su-57 fighter jet crashed near Zvenigorod, Moscow region, after what Russia’s defense ministry called a technical malfunction. However, the pro-Ukraine group Inform Napalm claims Ukrainian hackers manipulated the Russian BARS Moscow air defense system into shooting down the aircraft via a cyber and cognitive intervention. The pilot ejected safely. The incident coincides with a failed Russian mechanized assault toward Dobropillia and ongoing attacks on Wildberries warehouses. If confirmed, this marks the first known combat aircraft destroyed by cyberattack.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 25, 10:30 AM UTC

This article examines the crucial but overlooked role of two female gallery owners, Klavdia Mikhailova and Nadezhda Dobychina, in fostering Russia's artistic avant-garde between the 1905 and 1917 revolutions. Mikhailova opened her art salon in Moscow in 1912, hosting Natalia Goncharova's first retrospective in 1913. Dobychina founded her progressive art bureau in St. Petersburg in 1911, where Kazimir Malevich first exhibited his iconic 'Black Square' in 1915. Both women came from educated backgrounds—Mikhailova from a wealthy merchant family, Dobychina from a Jewish family with more modest means. Their galleries were pioneering in a Russia that had little private art trade before 1905. The article notes that after the October Revolution, private collectors were eliminated in the USSR, and both women fell into obscurity, unable to benefit from their contributions. The piece draws on the 2021 book 'Two Women Patrons of the Russian Avant-Garde' by Natalya Budanova and Natalya Murray.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 01:02 PM UTC

The Assamese feature film 'Rador Pakhi' (morning sunshine) has won a special jury award at the International Film Festival—Made by Women in Moscow, held from July 8-12, 2026. Director Bobby Sarma Baruah and co-producer Sulakhyana Baruah received the Super Mama Award. The film is inspired by the real-life story of Assam-based writer Sarmistha Pritam, who pursues her dream despite suffering from spinal muscular atrophy. The film follows protagonist Jyoti, an aspiring writer diagnosed with the condition at a young age, and her determination to live independently. Before Moscow, the film premiered at the Indian Panorama section of the 55th International Film Festival of India in Goa (2024) and was selected for festivals in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Melbourne, Thrissur, and Canada.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:47 PM UTC

A unilateral Russian ceasefire for Victory Day in May 2026 collapsed as Ukraine and Russia exchanged massive drone and missile attacks. Kyiv targeted Russian oil facilities and Moscow, while Russia struck Ukrainian cities, causing damage and injuries. Both sides accused each other of violating the truce, with Moscow claiming thousands of Ukrainian violations and Kyiv citing continued Russian assaults. The escalation highlighted deep distrust and the fragility of diplomatic efforts, including US-mediated pauses, as heavy aerial bombardment resumed across multiple regions immediately following the brief humanitarian pause.

138 reports · 44 sources · Updated Jul 27, 09:02 AM UTC

Ukraine launched over 400 drones toward Moscow in a major overnight attack from July 19-20, 2026, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Most drones were downed, but 85 were intercepted near Moscow, causing fires at an industrial park and an oil depot, wounding 10 people. The attack came as Russia bombarded Kyiv with ballistic missiles, killing at least six. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces domestic protests after replacing 35-year-old Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov with Soviet-trained General Oleksandr Syrskyi, sparking street demonstrations. Zelenskyy also claimed Ukrainian forces struck two Russian shadow fleet vessels and four dry cargo ships in the Black Sea. The tit-for-tat strikes underscore the prolonged conflict's intensity, with Ukraine's evolving drone technology challenging Russian defenses.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:24 PM UTC

Following the expiration of a US-brokered three-day ceasefire, Russian forces launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine involving 216 drones. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 192 units, but remaining strikes damaged civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten in Kyiv, causing at least one death and multiple injuries. Kyiv had proposed extending the truce, but Moscow rejected the offer, signaling a violent resumption of hostilities. The attack underscores the fragility of diplomatic efforts and the continued intensity of the conflict, prompting calls for increased international support and sanctions against Russia.

148 reports · 71 sources · Updated Jul 20, 10:02 AM UTC

Ben Wallace, Britain's former Defence Secretary (2019-2023), revealed on X that he personally urged Israel's government under Benjamin Netanyahu to provide military aid to Ukraine early in the war. According to Wallace, Israel declined, citing a desire not to upset Russia. He argued this decision allowed Russia to spend over $1 billion on Iranian Shahed-136 drones, which have since been used to strike Israeli territory. Wallace also criticized Israel for welcoming 'dirty Russian money and crooks' since the invasion. His account was publicly endorsed by John Foreman, former UK Defence Attaché in Moscow and Kyiv, who said he made the same point to the Israeli ambassador in Moscow while Iranian agents allegedly plotted against Israeli staff. The article contextualizes Israel's longstanding policy of avoiding arms supplies to Ukraine to preserve deconfliction with Russia in Syria and protect the Jewish community in Russia.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 08:48 AM UTC

Shanghai Shenhua's Russian head coach Leonid Slutsky, in an interview with Russian media 'bombardir,' expressed admiration for China's infrastructure, including airports, roads, and public services. While affirming his loyalty to Russia as the best country and Moscow as the best city, Slutsky stated that traveling in China makes him wish for similar infrastructure development across all of Russia, not just in megacities like Moscow. Slutsky, who has also coached in England and the Netherlands, shared these feelings during his tenure in the Chinese Super League.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 08:06 AM UTC

On July 24, 1951, 23-year-old law student Arno Esch was executed in Moscow's Butyrka Prison by Stalin's MGB secret service. Esch had resisted the SED's efforts to consolidate power in the Soviet Occupation Zone of Germany. Despite a last-minute clemency plea in which he confessed guilt and begged for leniency, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet rejected his appeal. He was shot alongside two friends, Gerhard Blankenburg and Heinrich Puchstein. Their bodies were cremated and ashes dumped in a mass grave at Donskoye Cemetery, where over 900 other executed individuals from the Soviet zone lie. Esch's mother was never informed of his death until 1961, and the GDR's Stasi attempted to recruit her as a spy. Historian Natalja Jeske has published a biography of Esch, detailing his life as a young man shaped by the Nazi era who aspired to a liberal, free society.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 05:52 AM UTC

Outgoing German Ambassador to Moscow Alexander Graf Lambsdorff warns that Russia may conduct a second large-scale mobilization of men fit for military service after the Duma election in September 2026. In an interview with Spiegel, he states that Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin shows no signs of being ready for serious negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, appearing determined to continue fighting to win. Lambsdorff paints a bleak picture of Russia's domestic political development, describing a state-driven transformation toward a nationalist and reactionary society and a 'creeping re-Stalinization.' He notes increasing isolation of Russians from Western information sources, with authorities restricting access to international online platforms. Regarding peace talks, he expresses skepticism, citing Russia's 'absurd' demands such as reducing NATO troops in Europe to 1997 levels. Lambsdorff leaves after three years to become ambassador to Israel, succeeded by Clemens von Goetze.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 01:39 PM UTC

Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam has initiated an intensive global diplomatic campaign, visiting major capitals including Beijing, Washington, Pyongyang, Moscow, New Delhi, and several European cities. This aggressive itinerary marks a significant shift from the restrained, reactive diplomacy of previous leaders, positioning Vietnam as an assertive middle power rather than merely a navigator of great power competition. Analysts describe this approach as reinforcing Vietnam's traditional 'bamboo diplomacy' with steel, aiming to secure the markets and capital necessary to achieve high-income status by 2045. By holding dual top leadership roles, To Lam exercises unprecedented authority to shape the terms of Vietnam's international engagement. The strategy involves active deal-making and relationship-building across diverse geopolitical blocs, signaling Vietnam's intent to play a more proactive role in global affairs while maintaining its strategic flexibility. This evolution reflects a broader ambition to transform Vietnam's economic and political standing on the world stage through direct, high-level statecraft.

1 reports · 1 sources

A Moscow arbitration court ordered Belgian financial institution Euroclear to pay approximately 200 billion euros ($250 billion) in damages to Russia’s Central Bank for freezing sovereign assets following the invasion of Ukraine. The court deemed Euroclear’s actions unlawful, granting a claim filed in late 2025. Euroclear rejected the ruling, citing lack of jurisdiction under EU law and unfair closed-door proceedings, and announced plans to appeal. While symbolically significant for Russia, legal experts note enforcement in Europe is highly unlikely due to jurisdictional barriers, marking an escalation in financial legal battles between Russia and the EU.

7 reports · 4 sources · Updated May 16, 08:42 AM UTC

This Op-Ed analyzes the widening disparity in healthcare quality between Moscow and Russia's poorer regions, attributing the decline to President Vladimir Putin's healthcare optimization policies and the financial strain of the war in Ukraine. Citing a Radio Liberty survey, the article highlights that residents in major cities enjoy significantly longer life expectancies due to better access to medical treatment. In contrast, provincial areas suffer from severe resource shortages, exemplified by a critical lack of MRI machines in regions like Tyva compared to Moscow. The report notes that local budgets are insufficient to fund adequate healthcare, particularly affecting services not covered by mandatory insurance, such as psychiatry, tuberculosis, HIV care, and palliative services. Consequently, while healthcare standards are dropping nationwide, those living outside the capital region face the most drastic reductions in service quality and diagnostic capabilities, creating significant bottlenecks in treatment and early disease detection.

1 reports · 1 sources

This article analyzes the film adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli’s novel The Wizard of the Kremlin, which depicts Vladimir Putin’s rise to power through the eyes of his chief adviser, Vladislav Surkov. The piece explores the blurred lines between reality and invention in the movie, noting that director Olivier Assayas intentionally softened certain portrayals to avoid defamation lawsuits while aiming to stay close to historical facts. The character Vadim Baranov, based on Surkov, is portrayed with more humanity than the real-life gray cardinal, who was known for orchestrating managed democracy and pioneering fake news tactics. The article contrasts the film’s narrative with historical records, highlighting Surkov’s background in drama school, his expulsion, and his subsequent influence on Kremlin propaganda strategies. It emphasizes how Surkov’s concept of alternative truths undermines objective reality, a theme central to both the film and modern Russian political strategy. The analysis serves as a guide to distinguishing historical accuracy from cinematic license in this political drama.

1 reports · 1 sources

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico attended Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, becoming the only EU leader to do so, and held talks with President Vladimir Putin. The visit drew sharp condemnation from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European officials, highlighting deep divisions within the EU regarding Russia. Fico defended the trip as a diplomatic effort to maintain energy security and avoid isolation, subsequently briefing Austrian leaders and convening urgent meetings with energy operators. This event underscores significant geopolitical tensions and Slovakia’s divergent foreign policy stance amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated May 15, 09:06 PM UTC

Cadex Defence, a Quebec-based firearms manufacturer, announced that an internal investigation confirmed its high-precision rifles were fraudulently diverted to Russia without the company's knowledge or consent. The probe was initiated after reports emerged showing Russian snipers using Cadex rifles in Ukraine and the weapons being displayed at a Moscow gun show. Some units appeared brand new with tags, while others seemed captured from Ukrainian forces. Cadex stated it fully cooperated with Canadian authorities, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which briefed the company on Russian procurement tactics. The firm emphasized that it never authorized any sales or exports to the Russian Federation, directly or indirectly, in violation of sanctions imposed following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. In response to the incident, Cadex has strengthened its verification mechanisms and due diligence procedures to mitigate future risks of fraudulent diversion within the international supply chain. This case highlights ongoing challenges in preventing Western-made weapons from reaching Russia through third-party countries despite strict export controls.

1 reports · 1 sources

Andrey Yermak, identified in the report as the former head of the Ukrainian presidential office, will remain in pre-trial detention for an additional three nights until Monday. This extension was confirmed by lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who stated that efforts to raise the required bail amount were not completed within the initial two-day window. Although transactions for the remaining portion of the bail had already been initiated, the funds failed to reach the court’s account in time to secure his immediate release. Previously, it was reported that approximately 100 million hryvnia ($2.3 million) of the total 140 million hryvnia ($3.1 million) bail requirement had been successfully raised. The delay appears to be procedural rather than a failure to secure the necessary funds, as the financial transfers were in progress but did not clear before the deadline. This development highlights ongoing legal proceedings involving high-profile Ukrainian figures, with the detention center stay extended pending the finalization of the financial transaction with the judicial authorities.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Russian feminist punk group Pussy Riot has been officially added to the list of "terrorists and extremists" maintained by Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring). This administrative update follows a Moscow court decision in December 2025, which declared the group an "extremist organization" at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office. The initial lawsuit was heard behind closed doors, with prosecutors arguing that the group's activities posed a significant threat to state security. Pussy Riot is widely recognized for its political activism against the Russian government and its opposition to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The designation significantly restricts the group's financial operations and legal standing within Russia. Recent activities by the group include a joint protest with the Ukrainian collective Femen in early May, timed to coincide with the opening of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale. This latest listing further intensifies the crackdown on dissenting voices and artistic expression in Russia, marking a severe escalation in the state's legal pressure on the activist collective.

1 reports · 1 sources

This analysis examines how the Kremlin has transformed the Immortal Regiment, originally a grassroots initiative honoring World War II ancestors, into a state-controlled propaganda tool. By 2026, the movement serves Putin’s regime in its effort to dominate historical narratives, merging Soviet victory symbolism with the ongoing war in Ukraine. Portraits of soldiers killed in Ukraine and Wagner Group campaigns now appear alongside WWII images, fusing past sacrifice with current military efforts under symbols like the Z and V insignia. While Moscow’s official Victory Day parade was significantly reduced due to security concerns, regional marches persisted across Russia. Internationally, the event has become a flashpoint; restrictions were defied in countries like Belarus and Germany, while France allowed controversial processions that highlighted tensions between pro-Kremlin diaspora groups and Ukrainian activists. The article argues that this appropriation turns commemoration into aggressive jingoism, using the dead as conscripts in a battle for historical ownership.

1 reports · 1 sources

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for intensified joint efforts among BRICS nations to prevent an impending global debt crisis during a ministerial meeting in New Delhi. Speaking at a plenary session titled '20 Years of BRICS,' Lavrov highlighted that global aggregate debt has reached 93% of GDP and is projected to exceed 100% by 2029, posing systemic risks to financial stability. He proposed the creation of an investment platform, potentially utilizing digital assets, to fund development projects in the Global South and East. Lavrov emphasized the critical role of the New Development Bank (NDB), whose annual meeting was concurrently held in Moscow. He stressed the necessity for the NDB to adjust its operational strategy and adapt its operating model to address current geo-economic challenges. The article underscores Russia's push for financial cooperation within the BRICS framework as a countermeasure to existing global economic instabilities, positioning the NDB as a central instrument in this initiative.

1 reports · 1 sources

According to data released by the Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat), Russia's annual inflation rate decreased to 5.58% in April 2026, down from 5.86% in March. Consumer prices rose by 0.14% on a month-on-month basis. The report highlights divergent trends across different sectors: food prices experienced a slight monthly decline of 0.2%, though they remained 4.02% higher than the previous year. In contrast, non-food prices increased by 0.26% monthly and 3.88% annually. The services sector saw the most significant annual growth, with prices rising by 9.9% compared to the previous year and 0.47% from March. Specific commodity movements included sharp price drops for vegetables like bell peppers and cucumbers, while meat products, fish, and bakery items saw modest increases. Fuel prices also edged up, with compressed natural gas rising by 1.2%. This data provides a detailed snapshot of the Russian economy's price stability and consumer cost pressures during the specified period.

1 reports · 1 sources

According to the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), Russia's weekly inflation rate was recorded at 0.07% for the period of May 5-12, 2026. This follows a slight deflation of 0.02% in the previous week. Since the start of May, consumer prices have risen by 0.06%, bringing the year-to-date inflation to 3.17%. On an annual basis, the inflation rate stood at 5.55% as of May 12. The report details specific price movements, noting increases in lamb, frozen fish, sugar, and various staple foods like beef and milk. Conversely, fruit and vegetable prices dropped by an average of 3.3%, driven by significant declines in cucumbers and tomatoes. Prices for chicken eggs, cheeses, and butter also decreased. Fuel prices saw a marginal increase of 0.1%. The article also briefly references broader economic contexts, including a reported GDP decline in the first quarter of 2026 and unrelated geopolitical headlines involving trade and international relations.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) has released a preliminary estimate indicating that Russia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 0.2% year-on-year during the first quarter of 2026. This figure represents a less severe contraction than previously projected by the Bank of Russia, which had estimated a 0.5% decline for the same period. The central bank's earlier forecast was already an adjustment below its February predictions. Despite the quarterly contraction, Rosstat confirmed its previous assessment that the Russian economy achieved a 1% growth rate for the full year of 2025. Looking ahead, the Bank of Russia anticipates a recovery in the second quarter of 2026, projecting a GDP growth of 0.9%. This divergence between the statistical agency's initial findings and the central bank's earlier estimates highlights the ongoing volatility and differing analytical perspectives regarding the Russian economy's performance in early 2026. The data serves as a key indicator for assessing the immediate economic impact of recent government measures and broader geopolitical conditions affecting the region.

1 reports · 1 sources