Stories from Moscow · Russia

Fraudsters in Russia are using voice deepfakes to impersonate individuals in audio messages. Scammers post advertisements in messaging apps offering up to 5,000 rubles for voice acting work for commercials or films. These recordings are then used to generate fraudulent audio messages using the stolen voice samples. Once samples are obtained, criminals generate audio messages to impersonate the participants. The process has become easier and less costly for criminals to execute. Experts warn that deepfake audio used in video and voice calls is increasingly difficult to detect. Fraudsters may use monotonous or emotionless tones that are only noticeable during long communications. Listeners are advised to verify identities by calling back or using pre-established secret phrases. Discrepancies are harder to identify in short phrases compared to long messages.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) has introduced a project to guarantee digital rights, including internet access, anonymity, and freedom of expression. Dmitry Gusev, a deputy from the Just Russia party, has proposed creating a 'white list' of verified Russian internet users. Under this proposal, users with phone numbers linked to confirmed Gosuslugi accounts would be exempt from mobile internet shutdowns. This comes as the Russian State Duma considers a digital rights bill covering internet access, anonymity, and freedom of expression. The proposal follows public attention toward blogger Victoria Bonya's appeal to President Vladimir Putin. The legislation aims to formalize digital asset transactions while strengthening anti-money laundering (AML) controls and oversight.

Biologists warn that consuming multiple dietary supplements simultaneously without following packaging instructions can lead to liver failure. The consumption of unverified substances poses health risks due to unknown chemical compositions. There is a noted lack of evidence-based data for many herbal remedies used by consumers. The issue is compounded by users failing to observe recommended dosage limits and timing. This behavior increases the risk of toxicity from an accumulation of unstudied ingredients. Biological concerns have been raised regarding the consumption of dietary supplements and multivitamins. The discussion also noted the lack of proven efficacy for certain supplements in treating common colds.

Scammers in Moscow are making fraudulent calls impersonating clinic employees to solicit sensitive information. Callers claim to be offering medical checkups to trick victims into providing passport details and SMS codes. The Moscow Department of Health warned that legitimate medical workers do not request such data. These stolen details are reportedly used for fraudulent activities. This follows warnings regarding the mention of certain substances as medical remedies. New labeling requirements and the designation of over 40 writers and publicists as foreign agents are driving the risk of book removals. Scammers impersonating Mosenergosbyt are adding Moscow residents to chats, claiming payment data will be automatically transferred from Gosuslugi. Sending this code to the scammer grants them access to the victim's personal Gosuslugi account.

Erik Proznikov, Vice President of the Russian Society of Physicians and head of the Pensioners Party, has proposed a new financial support system. The proposal suggests providing payments to unemployed mothers with multiple children.

Meteorologists forecast wet snow for the Moscow metropolitan area throughout the day. Authorities noted the month is on track to become one of the three wettest in history. The Moscow Department of Transport recommended using public transit due to unfavorable weather and temporary traffic restrictions in the city center between 16:00 and 30:00. A road in the Dovolin district, Yarki Krotova, previously recorded as the rainiest in the 21st century, is seeing precipitation. Central Russia is not expected to see a sharp temperature rise. Forecasts include strong wind gusts reaching up to 15 meters per second. Short-term precipitation may continue through Saturday, May 9. Temperatures are expected to rise above 25 degrees Celsius. The Hydrometeorological Center has extended a yellow-level weather alert for the Moscow metropolitan region. The alert is valid from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM on May 7.

Russian diplomats stated that the United States continues regular attempts to contact Vladimir Putin to achieve peace in Ukraine. Russian officials noted that achieving a nuclear-free peace requires a favorable military-political climate, which they claim is currently absent due to Western arsenal increases. The Caucasus region, including Azerbaijan and Turkey, is striving to maintain peace and avoid military conflicts. This effort is occurring against the backdrop of Russia's weakening influence in the region, which was previously considered its province. This centrifugal trend is also evident in Crimea. Russia is actively working to facilitate peace in the Middle East, according to reports. The Kremlin stated that Iran is currently studying and evaluating a negotiation request made by the United States.

Natural gas supplies are currently not reaching external markets, creating a economic deficit for the state. New pipeline projects are being developed to transport gas from Qatar to Turkey and from Morocco to Syria. These infrastructure shifts are being explored to mitigate the loss of existing revenue streams. The disruption in gas availability is described as a major economic blow. Economic impacts are reportedly for companies involved in exporting and importing on both sides of the border. Both presidents appear to be waiting for their respective domestic electoral processes before addressing the situation. The lack of clarity regarding the border situation is causing production and integration issues for businesses.

Russian publishing houses are facing increased scrutiny as AI-driven text scanning identifies prohibited words in literary works. Russian authorities continue to implement restrictions despite constitutional prohibitions against censorship. Russian authorities are implementing censorship measures targeting media, cinema, theaters, and exhibitions under Article 21 of the Russian Federation Constitution. The regulations allow for preliminary material checks by state-controlled entities. Most traditional media outlets are already under state or state-aligned corporate control. This environment renders formal constitutional bans on censorship ineffective in practice. Artificial intelligence systems are automatically applying warning labels to digital books in Russia. The AI scans texts for prohibited words, which has affected works by authors like Mikhail Bulgakov and Viktor Dragunsky.

Real estate developers in Moscow have stopped investing in projects featuring small, low-cost apartments. Experts cited a shortage of skilled labor as a contributing factor to the inability to meet construction deadlines. Konstantin Prelev, founder and honorary member of the Russian Guild of Developers, stated that many developers expected construction to continue indefinitely and cannot complete projects on schedule. The delays are linked to material price volatility and insufficient capital. Delays in construction projects in Russia may reduce the supply of ready-to-move-in housing. Konstantin Aprelyev noted that ready housing is currently 15% to 30% more expensive than new builds. These delays could lead to lower prices for existing homes in specific locations. Constant delays may also cause buyers to avoid new construction in favor of cheaper, completed properties.