Stories from moscow · Russia

The Kremlin will provide information regarding the format of the parade celebrating the 81st anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory. The head of state will also congratulate the Presidential Regiment on its 90th anniversary. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced the plans during a broadcast on May 3. The speech will coincide with the annual commemorations of the end of World War II. Russia announced that the Victory Day military parade will be smaller in scale this year, canceling the display of armored vehicles and missile systems. The Kremlin also declared a unilateral ceasefire against Ukraine for May 8 and 9. Russian officials warned of large-scale retaliatory strikes on central Kyiv if the celebrations are disrupted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the move shows Russian concern regarding drone flights over Red Square.

Russia will exempt stateless persons who were former citizens of the USSR and participants in the compatriot resettlement program from specific fees. These fees include 6,000 rubles for replacing lost or damaged documents and 5,000 rubles for temporary residence permits. The announcement follows discussions regarding new collection mechanisms and Ministry of Finance updates. Russia has introduced regulations regarding the taxation of digital currency transactions. Tax agents are not required to pay certain taxes as part of a state plan to formalize the economy. The tax base is determined by the difference between income and specific costs related to the sale or exchange of digital currencies. The Russian Parliament speaker has proposed exempting former Russian citizens from state fees required to obtain citizenship.

According to Ministry of Health statistics, 20.7 million Russians currently suffer from eye diseases. The report notes that the prevalence of these diseases has grown by 1.5 times over that period. The reported increase represents a 1.5-fold rise in cases over that period. Eye diseases are affecting 20.7 million people in Russia. The condition is linked to metabolism, blood circulation, and organ nutrition. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and cervical osteochondrosis can lead to retinal destruction, lens clouding, and blindness. Medical science continues to develop to address these issues. Experts are discussing causes such as cataracts and glaucoma. Common conditions include glaucoma, cataracts, dystrophy, and diabetic retinopathy. Other mentioned conditions involve retinal damage, optic nerve atrophy, conjunctivitis, and corneal inflammation.

The death toll from a powerful cyclone across the Siberian, Volga, Central, and Northwestern federal districts has increased to three people. The fire has reached the fourth rank of five. Authorities closed transport movement on the third Baltic Lane from the second outpatient passage to Chasovaya Street, according to the Moscow State Traffic Inspectorate. The fire is classified as a level 4 out of 5 emergency. Combat operations continue in Mali following the killing of Defense Minister Sadio Camara, who was noted as a supporter of closer ties with Russia. The city of Kidal remains under separatist control despite recent attacks on the armed forces and African Corps units. Emergency services have localized the fire and are currently clearing debris. Investigators have opened a criminal case regarding violations of safety rules.

Emergency services reported that a fire occurred at building number 14 on the second ambulatory passage. Over 500 vehicles were reportedly damaged by falling trees. In eastern Moscow, residents reported fallen trees near clinics and residential areas. One report noted a poplar tree crushing a Lada Granta vehicle. The Ministry of Energy reported that the Yuzhno-Vostochny district was most heavily affected. High electrical loads also contributed to the infrastructure failures. While 70% of consumers reportedly had power restored by yesterday evening, some residents in cottage settlements and private sectors still lack electricity. The outages affect essential services including heating, septic systems, and water pumps in areas without gas connections. Some residents are currently relying on backup generators to maintain power.

A new search and rescue station named Paveletskaya has opened in central Moscow. The station complex was put up for sale in early March. The future status of the Russian Railways complex remains unknown. Investigators have opened a criminal case regarding the sale process. Dozens of other individuals may have evacuated the building independently before fire blocked exit routes. High temperatures of 300-400 degrees Celsius and dense smoke are complicating access to the site. Firefighters are unable to enter certain areas of the building due to temperatures reaching 300-400 degrees Celsius. This heat prevents crews from reaching potential locations where people may be trapped or verifying if anyone remains inside. The reported casualty figures have not yet been confirmed.

A new drone tactic involves using drones equipped with ball bearing bombs to target low-altitude areas. These drones are designed to explode near fire groups, causing damage to transport and injuries to personnel. The tactic is described as being similar to a smaller version of the Bayraktar drone. These munitions are designed to explode in the air to cause injury to personnel and damage to vehicles. Following the initial ball bearing strike, a secondary drone intended for direct strikes is deployed. Operators are increasingly using drones equipped with machine vision systems, a tactic observed over the last three to four weeks. These systems function similarly to a mobile phone camera used by multiple people to capture images. The technology allows for simplified operation via mobile phones to photograph and strike targets.

Two new laws are set to take effect in Russia on September 1. One law regulates private security activities, while the second governs the work of private detectives. The new regulations will introduce mandatory annual medical examinations for private detectives. This move is part of a broader restructuring of related sectors. A commentator noted that detectives will be restricted to gathering information only from open sources. The commentator described the new regulations as ineffective and stated that detectives will lack rights. The move aims to address concerns regarding the mental health and suitability of individuals performing investigative services. Authorities noted that unauthorized operational activities could lead to criminal liability. The initiative seeks to regulate a sector where practitioners currently operate without standardized oversight.

Businesses in Moscow are experiencing a triple pressure of declining demand, rising costs, and expensive credit. Statistics show up to a 12% loss of customers in the catering sector. The removal of tax incentives, such as the simplified tax system for IT companies, and increased insurance contributions have further impacted the business environment. High interest rates continue to affect corporate borrowing despite recent rate reductions. Businesses are also feeling the impact of the cancellation of the Simplified Tax System (STS) for IT companies and an increase in insurance contributions. Companies without profit may survive for a year or slightly longer if they maintain stable cash flow.

The Russian Security Council reported a 16.7% decrease in total crimes during the first quarter of the year. Anti-war actions were described as individual rather than mass movements. The report noted that improved detection capabilities may contribute to the increase in recorded crimes. The source noted that a large portion of these crimes are committed via the internet. The increase in extremism is described as a method used to destabilize the country from within. The Russian Ministry of Health reported that HIV incidence rates have decreased by half since the launch of the national strategy. New testing methods covered 40% of patients last year and now reach over 90% of patients. The government allocated nearly 43 billion rubles toward HIV combat efforts last year. Officials predict HIV will no longer be a primary public health threat by 2030.