Stories from moscow · Russia

Thousands of Iranian-produced weapons, including missiles and drones, remain unused. NBC News, citing sources, reported that Iran's military actions against US military facilities in the Middle East have caused more damage than officially acknowledged, with billions of dollars needed for repairs. Separately, flooding in the Belorechensky district of Krasnodar Krai has inundated 236 residential areas and entered 48 private homes and one apartment building.

Komsomolskaya Pravda discussed Russia's interests being secured through cooperation with China, viewing the US as an obstacle to development. The outlet emphasized that Russia's actions are driven by state interests, particularly in economic and spiritual development, and that interactions with China are prioritized due to the widespread availability of Chinese goods.

Authorities in Moscow have not announced any scheduled rehearsals for the upcoming Victory Day parade. This marks a departure from previous years where rehearsals were typically conducted by late April.

New amendments to Russian law regarding the distribution of works mentioning drugs went into effect on March 1. Publishers report difficulties applying the new requirements due to a lack of clear criteria from the Ministry of Digital Development regarding age labeling. A company stakeholder's share in a firm decreased from 52% to 8%. Literary critic Andrey Shcherbak noted that biographies of Mikhail Bulgakov and Vladimir Vysotsky may face censorship due to propaganda regulations. Publishers expressed concerns regarding the complexity of applying these new standards to existing texts. He suggested that artificial intelligence may be distributing these labels, leading to a desire to combat printed word and books. Mandatory labeling for electronic gadgets went into effect in Russia on May 1. The requirement was announced by the Honest Sign service.

Several influential figures, including a New York Times journalist, a celebrity fitness trainer, a conservative TV host, and a popular health podcast host, are promoting nicotine. They describe it as a 'saving product' for productivity and vitality, or claim it can increase alertness, downplaying its negative aspects and potentially concealing information from parents about its effects.

A Dutchman living in Russia expresses a strong connection to Russian culture, stating he feels 'a bit Russian' despite maintaining his Dutch identity. He describes his experience as being a 'Dutchman in Russia,' highlighting a deep appreciation for the country and its people.

Existing tax laws in Russia allow for significant income generation, but the wealthiest citizens find ways to evade taxes, limiting revenue collection. Increased investment in tax collection, including hiring more personnel for the tax service, could improve the amount of taxes gathered.

Ukrainian families have been separated during evacuations from the special military operation zone. Many children have lost contact with their families, with some ending up with relatives in Germany and the Netherlands. The Ukrainian side has reportedly provided a list of missing children to the Russian side for investigation.

Russian officials are reportedly navigating complex political situations and potential corruption schemes. There is speculation that a deal may be struck, which could lead to attempts to manipulate the situation. However, the deep entanglement in corrupt practices is expected to complicate any resolution and bring issues to light.

The death of scientist Mikhail Filipov, who was researching millimeter electromagnetic waves, is under investigation. Filipov had reportedly sent a letter to 'Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti' detailing a discovery about transmitting explosion waves over distances. The circumstances surrounding his death and the nature of his research are being examined. Doubts have arisen regarding whether the scientist left a farewell note, though only the family has reportedly seen it. The exact circumstances of the death remain unconfirmed.