Steve Rosenberg: Russian Newspaper Refers to “the Machine of Persecution & Punishment” in Today's Russia

Feb 27, 2026 | This week one Russian newspaper described “the machine of persecution & punishment” in Russia. “Everything that a few months ago was not just legal, but natural, is being criminalised.” Plus, the state of the Russian economy and how the Russian press reported on the 70th anniversary of Khrushchev's 'secret speech' denouncing Stalin's cult of personality.

Steve Rosenberg: "Russia Needs a Military Alliance" Says Russian Paper.

Feb 24, 2026 | An opinion piece in Moskovsky Komsomolets calls for Russia and allies to form a military alliance. Remembering the Warsaw Pact, the writer claims that Moscow was “restoring constitutional order in Hungary in 1956 & in Czechoslovakia in 1968,” a sign of how Russia in 2026 is reinterpreting history.

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Papers: No Mention of Alexei Navalny and Poison Claim.

February 16, 2026

Steve Rosenberg: Russia Restricts Telegram, Russian MP Claims It's for "The Defence of the Information Frontline.”

February 11, 2026

Steve Rosenberg: Reading Russia Weekend Extra: Memories of a NATO Visit to Moscow.

Feb 8, 2026 | I’m back with another Reading Russia Weekend Extra. In this edition: what the Russian papers have been saying about talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi and the Olympics in Milan-Cortina, plus memories of a NATO chief visiting Moscow 25 years ago.

Steve Rosenberg: “Several Think Tanks Warning of a Recession in Russia": Russian Paper

Feb 6, 2026 | From today’s Russian papers: “You don’t have to be an economist to forecast a recession: Russia’s export revenue is falling, budget revenues are falling, taxes rising, consumer demand shrinking…” Another paper: “Oil & gas revenues fall…rise in bread prices.” Also today, what the Russian papers are saying about the two days of peace talks in Abu Dhabi.

Steve Rodenberg: What Are the Russian Papers Saying about Peace Talks on Ukraine?

Feb 4, 2026 | No hint of compromise from Moscow ahead of peace talks in Abu Dhabi. The Russian government paper: “We’ll continue strikes until Kyiv signs a peace deal on our terms.” Other papers today focus on the economy: “India cuts Russian oil imports 3 ½ times,” “systemic banking crisis”, “car sales down.”

Steve Rosenberg: In Russia "Uncertainty, Lack of Money, Economic Crisis" Fuelling Anxiety: Russian Paper

Feb 2, 2026 | Today one Russian paper reports that “Russians’ anxiety has increased due to uncertainty, a lack of money, the economic crisis and a decline in production.” Another writes about an increase in “depression, anxiety & stress disorders” in Russia.

Steve Rosenberg: Reading Russia Weekend Extra

In “Reading Russia Weekend Extra”: what the Russian papers are saying about Russia’s economy, an interview with a newspaper chief, plus details of our film for BBC Panorama: ‘Our Man in Moscow’ is on @BBCOne at 8pm on Feb 2nd. Also on @BBCiPlayer

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Paper Concerned about "Off-switch for the Internet"

Jan 29, 2026 | With the FSB set to secure broad powers to cut communications, one Russian paper today criticises the idea: “It is impossible to imagine the functioning of a modern economy without a functioning Internet.”

Another paper looks at prices in 2026: “Vodka up 17%, cucumbers up 21.3%.”

Steve Rosenberg: “Trump Has Decided to Sink the EU": Russian Paper Writing about Greenland.

Jan 21, 2026 | “Trump has decided to sink the European Union,” declares one Russian paper today writing about Greenland. Lots about Greenland in the Russian press. But also domestic economic problems: “Prices ready to soar”, Moscow cafes closing & “Russia’s car industry completely dependent on China’s.”