Stories from Moscow · Russia

The Russian government is introducing a new support measure for families with students. Payments are made once per year, and non-pensioners do not receive specific benefits or exemptions for these costs. This follows a tax increase implemented in 2026. The tax is paid annually and the increase is expected to be applied across the entire country. The stance comes amid ongoing regulatory discussions regarding digital assets. Children of participants in the special military operation are guaranteed budget-funded places in top universities. Residents of non-commercial horticultural associations in Russia will be able to pay reduced tariffs with a coefficient of 1.7. This tariff will not depend on whether the contract was concluded collectively or directly with the supplier, nor on the territorial affiliation to a city or village.

Russia has implemented a ban on Starlink imports as part of a nationwide effort to tighten internet controls. The reasoning behind the 1990 cutoff is questioned, as the text of older books has not changed. Exceptions apply for exports to EAEU countries and other states through designated airport checkpoints. The new regulation also allows for the annulment of residency if an individual does not live at their registered address for an extended period. Organizers must provide a 30-day advance warning before ticket sales begin. This information must be prominently displayed on posters, billboards, at ticket offices, and on social media. For television and radio advertisements, the warning must be at least 5 seconds long and not quieter than the main advertisement. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 4 million tenge or 650,000 rubles.

The criminal case involving the head of Avtodor, Ramil Shayduilin, has been transferred to Moscow, according to the Supreme Court press service.

Certain categories of Russian citizens will see an increase in pension benefits starting May 1. Guduma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin announced that pensions for citizens aged 80 and older, as well as those receiving first-group disability status in April, have doubled as of May 1. Additionally, monthly subsidies for large families will be maintained even if per capita income exceeds the regional subsistence minimum by up to 10%. These changes were reported via Volodin's channel. Additionally, a new labeling requirement for specific sweets and confectionery products will begin on May 1 through the Honest Sign system. Similar labeling requirements will also apply to radio electronics and construction materials. Imports of dual-use goods from China to Russia grew by 80% year-on-year in 2025.

Russia will introduce additional one-time payments for veterans of the Great Patriotic War. Federal subsidies for these payments will be uniform for all recipients. The program also includes benefits for people with disabilities.

A Tagansky District Court in Moscow fined Take-Two Interactive 22.3 million rubles for the storage of personal data. The company, which ceased sales in Russia in 2022, faces the penalty despite having withdrawn from the market.

Vladimir Putin has issued an instruction to increase cost-of-living allowances. The move follows reports that up to 20 percent of the population has been affected by stagnant wages despite being employed. The measure aims to mitigate the impact of reduced purchasing power.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that businessmen make voluntary contributions to the budget for the war in Ukraine. Radio Svoboda reports that Putin has specifically proposed these voluntary contributions to support the war budget against Ukraine.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported via his Telegram channel that the city's fountain season has not yet opened. Specialists have been preparing for the launch. The announcement follows forecasts of warmer weather in Moscow with temperatures expected to reach 18-20 degrees Celsius. Specialists spent nearly the entire month of April preparing the infrastructure. Work included repairing communications, servicing pump stations and hydraulics, and cleaning the fountain basins. The city features hundreds of fountains, including dry and semi-dry varieties. Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case following an incident on a Moscow bus involving a woman from Buryatia. A designer, Natalya Sundupova, reported that a passenger insulted her based on her nationality and demanded she return to her own country.

Moscow has entered its fifth consecutive year of experiencing frosts, according to weather specialist Mikhail Leus. The minimum temperature at the VDNKh weather station was recorded at -0.6 degrees Celsius.