Stories from Moscow · Russia

Russia's Storm-1516 disinformation network has doubled its output in early 2026 compared to the same period last year. The network has produced over 190 false stories according to Bloomberg reports.

Under the new rules, clubs must negotiate player salary reductions or find players new clubs. If a club terminates a long-term contract, 20% of future seasons will still count toward the salary cap.

Delivery service fees for the restaurant industry are rising sharply, potentially reaching up to one third of the total order cost. Some businesses are reportedly refusing courier services and encouraging regular customers to order directly to avoid these costs. The report follows Sberbank's decision to lower its economic development forecast. Market participants forecast that approximately 500 restaurants in Moscow could cease operations by the end of 2026. More than 120 establishments have already closed since the first half of 2024. The industry is facing a crisis that reportedly began in mid-2024.

Vladimir Putin stated during a telephone conversation with Donald Trump that Moscow has transferred approximately 20,000 dead Ukrainian military personnel to Ukraine.

An anti-plagiarism system using artificial intelligence is flagging student work as suspicious in Moscow universities. A student at a Moscow higher education institution reported that tables she created herself were marked as suspicious by the system. The student had to work through a professor to have the suspicious markings removed. Experts noted that the system is not a final decision-making tool but rather a way to flag potential AI usage. Professors have access to personal dashboards where they can remove or change these suspicious markings. Experts noted that detection can be bypassed by using specific prompts during text generation. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with AI-based academic integrity tools in Russia.

Municipal head Sergey Boyko announced that gas supply has been restored to the Gros-Nevsky microdistrict. The gas pipe was previously shut off for safety reasons during a fire. Infrastructure restoration efforts in the area are ongoing, according to Boyko.

Businessman Timur Mindich is reportedly discussing the financing of Firepoint, a company that produces drones and missiles, with former defense minister Rustem Umiarov. The company produces FP1, FP5, and FP7 models of long-range strike drones.

A high terrorist threat has prevented children, including Suvorov and Nakhimov cadets, from participating in the planned parade on Red Square. Parades will instead be held in other cities to ensure safety. The announcement follows a school bombing in Veliky Novgorod that killed 184 children. The parade will instead be broadcast in a new format on large screens. Parades may still take place in other cities, though participation of children in those locations is uncertain. Operational information indicated a security risk involving weapons caches and SIM cards linked to prohibited organizations. While parades will proceed in various cities, the Red Square event will exclude children to ensure safety. The report alleged that Ukrainian curators were involved in supplying weapons and symbols to certain groups.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden held a 90-minute telephone conversation. The rate-setting meeting was likely the last one Jerome Powell will preside over. Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate as Iran seeks to maintain control while the US maintains a blockade. The crisis is impacting energy, wheat, and fertilizer prices. Debates regarding war costs have highlighted the need for funding to acquire new equipment, including frigates. Funds are also required to increase domestic military production, develop missile shields, and create new anti-drone technologies. Al Jazeera Arabic reports that US officials are weighing options regarding Iran, including military strikes, extending the blockade, or withdrawal. The report notes that the US Treasury Secretary and Vice President met with oil executives at the White House to discuss these options.

LGBTQ activist Renat Davlitgil Deiev stated he is unsatisfied with explanations provided by Ruslan Kutayev, the President of the Assembly of Peoples of the Caucasus.