T

The Moscow Times

March 2026

North Korean, Russian News Agencies Join Forces in 'Info War'

Western governments have long accused Russia of spreading false information online as well as in traditional media, and both countries rank near the bottom of the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index

Andrei Kondrashovtass Director General
The agreement... is based not only on long-term friendship, but also takes into account the completely new realities of today's information war that is taking place on our planet,
Andrei Kondrashovtass Director General
Everyone understands that today we are fighting modern Nazism together,
Andrei Kondrashovtass Director General
The courage and willingness for self-sacrifice that both soldiers and officers of the Korean People's Army demonstrate today are already inscribed in modern history,

Russian Oil Exports Fall by 1.75M Bpd as Drones Assaults Baltic Ports

Just 22 tankers loaded 16.23 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to March 29 compared to 28.5 million barrels on 37 ships the previous week

Explosion at Tatarstan Petrochemical Plant Kills 2, Injures Dozens

The blast occurred at Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Russia’s largest producer of synthetic rubber and plastics, located in the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk, around 170 kilometers (105 miles) east of Kazan

Kremlin Rebuffs Zelensky’s Easter Ceasefire Proposal

Zelensky on Monday proposed a truce during the Easter holiday, which in the Orthodox calendar takes place on April 12 this year

We reiterate: Zelenskyy must take responsibility and make the appropriate decision so that we can achieve peace, not a ceasefire,
Dmitry Peskovkremlin spokesman
We don’t see any clearly articulated initiative for an Easter ceasefire based on Zelensky’s statements,
That’s why Zelensky can and must make a decision in a timely manner. Later, this decision will have to be made at a much higher price… We repeat once again: Zelensky must take responsibility and make the appropriate decisions so that we reach a lasting peace, not just a truce,

Violent Crime by Russian Soldiers Surges During Ukraine War — Vot Tak

Cases of grievous bodily harm resulting in death rose sevenfold, while hundreds of prosecutions for rape, sexual violence and robbery were also recorded, with 2025 marking a peak year across multiple categories

The entire combat zone is a lawless place,
There is a sense that the Armed Forces are doing everything possible to ensure that people are sent to the front rather than to prison,

Russian Digital Ministry Declares War on VPNs

Shadayev linked the push to what he described as “long, difficult and ultimately unsuccessful” talks with foreign tech companies over compliance with Russian laws, which require that firms maintain a physical presence in the country

Maxmessenger
We have an obligation to fulfill the tasks that have been set before us. In this case, the task is to reduce the use of VPNs,
Maksut Shadayevminister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media
We understand all the consequences, but all other options are significantly worse,

French Court Sentences Russia-Linked Tanker Captain to 1 Year in Jail

Chen Zhangjie, 39, was sentenced in absentia after the French navy boarded the Boracay tanker in September before releasing the vessel and its crew days later, in what Russian leader Vladimir Putin condemned as "piracy."

It was raining and you don't put up a flag when it's raining,

Russia’s Civilian Industry Downturn Accelerated in Early 2026, Think Tank Says

The data underscore widening gaps between defense-driven growth and the broader economy as state spending on the military masks weakness in civilian industries

February’s figures look weak and increasingly point to a sustained negative trend,
The sector is moving into survival mode,
The epicenter of the downturn is industries tied to investment demand,

South Korea Revives Naphtha Imports From Russia Amid Looming Shortage

Naphtha is a liquid distilled from petroleum that is essential for making ethylene, a key ingredient in everything from plastic grocery bags to food packaging

In Photos: 250 Years of the Bolshoi Theatre

Today, the Bolshoi Ballet and Opera remain largely cut off from their Western counterparts following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Without it,... Russia as a country (and therefore Russia as an economy) would be different — a step below the rest, let’s say. A country that is home to the Bolshoi Theatre is perceived as an economic partner of a somewhat different caliber."

Russia Expels British Diplomat Over Alleged Economic Espionage

As a result, Janse van Rensburg had his diplomatic accreditation revoked and was ordered to leave Russia within two weeks

Russia has pursued an increasingly aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats, pumping out malicious and completely baseless accusations about their work,

Zelensky Calls for Easter Ceasefire With Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday proposed an Eastern ceasefire with Russia, while also calling for a mutual halt on strikes against energy infrastructure to help relieve pressure building in oil and gas markets

Volodymyr Zelenskyyukrainian President
We are ready for a ceasefire during the Easter holidays,
Volodymyr Zelenskyyukrainian President
If Russia is ready to stop hitting Ukrainian energy facilities, we will not respond against their energy sector,
But we’re ready for any compromises, except those involving our dignity and sovereignty,
Volodymyr Zelenskyypresident
We’re ready for a ceasefire during the Easter holidays,

Russian Oil Tanker Arrives in Cuba After Trump Shrugs Off His Own Fuel Blockade

The delivery comes as Cuba faces a deepening energy crisis marked by widespread blackouts after a U.S. fuel blockade sharply curtailed oil supplies in recent months

Donald Trumppresident
If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem, whether it’s Russia … and if other countries want to do it,

Russian Strikes on Ukraine Kill 4, Damaging Port and Maternity Hospital

Images released by Ukrainian emergency services showed shattered windows, rubble inside the building and firefighters working at the site of the attack

There was no military purpose whatsoever — this was pure terror against ordinary civilian life,
Volodymyr Zelenskyypresident
Each such strike proves that Russia has no intention of ending this war. That is why any easing of pressure on it is dangerous,

Negotiations Are Not Ending the Ukraine War — They Are Extending It

On the contrary, rising global oil prices and even temporary easing of sanctions on Russia following the United States-Israeli attack on Iran only further fuel Moscow's aggression and determination

The United States believes that Putin wants to end the war. Here, we have completely different views,