T

The Moscow Times

June 2026

‘I Don’t Know When This Will End’: As Ukraine Steps Up Strikes, Crimea Grapples With Fuel Shortages and Blackouts

Recently, she and a group of friends spent hours trying to obtain a QR code that would allow her to buy just 20 liters (5.3 gallons) of gasoline

Our town is in the steppe. Water always has to be pumped here. When there’s no electricity — and there has barely been any over the past week — there’s no water,
I don’t know what to do,
When will the fuel problems be resolved?”
There were 10 of us sitting there, hoping one of us would get a code,
There’s no gasoline here. The children constantly hear explosions, and electricity and water are rationed. I don’t know when this will end,
I took out a loan last year to renovate the cottage,
My friends and I all gathered at my apartment and everyone tried to get a code for my car,
They tell me they don’t have gasoline for Crimean residents, only for locals,

Euroclear Sues Russian Central Bank in Belgian Court

The move follows a decision last month by a Moscow arbitration court, which upheld the Russian Central Bank’s 18.2 trillion ruble ($231.26 billion) claim against Euroclear

ISU Reinstates Russian and Belarusian Figure Skaters as Neutral Athletes

Under the new guidelines, athletes from both countries will compete without their national flags, anthems or any other state symbols

The person concerned shall be given the opportunity to be heard, and a decision to withhold eligibility may be appealed,

Yacht Linked to Putin Sails Through Danish Waters Escorted by Russian Warships

The convoy was being shadowed by the Danish Navy patrol vessel P521 Freja

All Known Detained Kursk Residents Returned From Ukraine, Russia’s Human Rights Chief Says

Her announcement follows the repatriation of five Kursk residents on Saturday, who were met by their families and Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein

Vladimir Putinpresident
They’re all home now,
Yana Lantratovarussian politician
We managed to persuade Ukraine and bring back home all the residents of the Kursk region who were being unlawfully detained in Ukrainian territory,

Russian War Veteran Reportedly Jailed After Threatening Armed Revolt Against Kremlin

A judge in the southern Voronezh region has found a Ukraine war veteran guilty of “displaying extremist or Nazi symbols,” days after he posted a video online threatening to take up arms against the Kremlin if President Vladimir Putin refused to meet with him

Such cases are closed to the public,

Putin Admits Ukrainian Strikes Driving Fuel Shortages

Vladimir Putinpresident
Yes, we see the problems, we are aware of them and are responding to them, but we will certainly ensure the security of both the country and our citizens, as well as the inviolability of Russia’s borders,
Vladimir Putinpresident
As for strikes against critical infrastructure in general, and energy infrastructure in particular, of course these attacks on our infrastructure facilities create problems, that's obvious,
We will undoubtedly overcome all the challenges facing us today, including terrorist attacks on our territory and infrastructure facilities,
We are ready to continue negotiations... and discuss all the details,

Ukrainian Strike Kills 1 in Southern Russia, Refinery on Fire

The Slavyansk-on-Kuban oil refinery, one of the largest in southern Russia and part of the Slavyansk EKO group, is located near the Crimean peninsula, which is occupied by Russia and has already been attacked several times by Ukraine

Veniamin Kondratyevgovernor
Krasnodar region came under a massive enemy drone attack... Sadly, one person was killed,

At Least 5 Dead as Russia and Ukraine Exchange Wave of Strikes

At least five people were killed and dozens of others were wounded in a series of reciprocal air strikes in Ukraine and Russia on Saturday

Volodymyr Zelenskyypresident
This is a major industrial complex where the enemy manufactures artillery systems and specialized military equipment, including components for missile launchers used to strike our people,

The Trump Administration Deported a Military Deserter Back to Russia. Then He Escaped Again.

I didn’t really understand politics, I just understood that something was wrong and we were going in the wrong direction,
Live your life, don’t be afraid of anything, do what you want.”
In the SVO, those with a charge like mine, they’re sent into assaults, 70% survive,
I lay on my bed and waited for the time, going over everything in my head, how to do everything,
I was already in a state of despair, I guess,
Honestly, after everything that’s happened to me, I’ve come to feel a sense of joy just at being alive and healthy,
I panicked and I got really scared, because I’d already made up my mind,
I thought, well, if I try, if God helps me, then it was meant to be,

Kremlin Aware of Viral Video Threatening Armed Uprising Over Alleged Abuses in Army

In the video, which has garnered millions of views on social media, a man in military uniform identifying himself as Alexander Lunin asked for an audience with Putin to “tell the whole truth” about the mistreatment of Russian troops

If I don’t arrive at the Kremlin in the near future and speak live on the air right next to you, the army will turn its weapons against the Kremlin,
Dmitry Peskovkremlin spokesman
Judging by your description, the phrasing sounds rather bizarre. We need to see it first,
I’m merely passing along the message,

Russian Gymnasts Withdraw From World Challenge Cup in Romania After Flag Ban

Emil Boc61st Prime Minister of Romania (2008-2012)
I do not agree that the political symbols of an aggressor state in Europe should be used in a country of the European Union,
The Russian rhythmic gymnastics team has decided to withdraw from the Challenge Cup, which is taking place from June 26 to 28 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. This decision is due to serious violations of competition regulations by the organizers,
The organizers verbally informed us that the Russian national flag would not be displayed in the sports arena and the national anthem would not be played if the Russian gymnasts won,

Regions Calling: As Fuel Crisis Widens, Russia's Regions Brace for the Worst

A major landfill fire in the Far East republic of Sakha (Yakutia) burned for a week, blanketing the regional capital Yakutsk in smog and hazardous air pollution

Serhiy Vakulenkoukrainian footballer
The amount of gasoline available in Russia at the moment is determined by a race between Ukrainian drones and Russian repair teams. If the frequency of Ukrainian attacks can be maintained, and the damage from each attack increases, then the advantage swings toward Kyiv,
In some districts of our republic, there is no fuel at gas stations right now, so people go to [the capital] Kyzyl to refuel,
I had to sell my car because of the rising gas prices,
There has been an unreasonable rush among residents to purchase fuel at gas stations — fuel was being purchased in clearly excessive quantities,
My sister calls me: ‘Alsu, go get gas quickly.’ I scrambled [to get out of the house] and haven't even changed…I work in real estate, friends. I need gasoline like air,
Our peak prices have already risen above all imaginable peaks. For four years now, we've been stocking up on everything, just in case. And it seems like it was all for today,
These restrictions are not related to an actual fuel shortage…The next fuel delivery is expected next week,
Govorit NeMoskvaindependent news outlet
I, as a Russian citizen, think this is complete bulls**t,