Stories from moscow · Russia

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.

Complaints related to sleep disorders in Russia have increased by nearly 20%, with difficulties falling asleep and frequent awakenings being the most common issues. Most complications arise when required certificates or specific forms are missing from the application. Following Defense Minister Andrei Belousov's order in December 2025 to investigate missing persons cases, the number of court cases recognizing individuals as missing or deceased has significantly increased. Defense Minister Belousov stated that efforts have established the fate of half of those missing. If 90,000 cases are in court and 48% of missing persons' fates are determined, this implies approximately 180,000 individuals' situations have been resolved. Sergei Krivenko, head of the human rights group Citizen Army Law, noted that Ministry of Defense is not interested in understating these numbers.

Demand for melatonin-based products, including non-prescription remedies, has been growing in Russia. This persists despite adjustments to specific conditions, particularly regarding family mortgages. Demand for gardening tools in Russia has increased significantly, with Kazan recording a 12-fold rise. Moscow saw a 2.5-fold increase, while Novosibirsk and Chelyabinsk reported 2-fold increases. Analysts attribute this surge to record-warm weather in March, prompting Russians to prepare for the season early. Some consumers are purchasing shovels and rakes as basic sets for planting and regular land maintenance. Demand for domestic corporate messengers in Russia increased fivefold within one month, according to the Association of Professional Social Network Users. Approximately 30 Russian companies are already using a hybrid format for work correspondence.