Steve Rosenberg: Why Is Moscow Closely Watching the US Midterm Elections?

Nov 2, 2026 | In today’s Russian papers: reaction to the evacuation from Oleshky, cuts to social spending in Russia (but increased spending on ‘defence’) & why Moscow has an eye on the US midterms.

Steve Rosenberg: How Are Today's Russian Papers Reacting to the Defeat of a Key Moscow Ally in Serbia?

Oct 27, 2026 | In today's Russian papers, surprise at the defeat of Moscow ally Aleksander Vučić in Serbia. One paper: “Russia can expect nothing good from this.” Another: “The results benefit the EU.” But several point out: “The Serbs are dependant on Russian gas.”

Steve Rosenberg: Moscow Perceives Trump Criticism of Ukraine "as a Mandate to Continue Military Pressure."

Oct 25, 2026 | How is Donald Trump’s criticism of President Zelensky interpreted in Moscow? “Moscow perceives these words as a mandate to continue military pressure,” writes one Russian paper. I ask Muscovites to name one word that’s important to them and read what Russian schoolchildren are taught about “defence of the Motherland.”

Steve Rosenberg: What Are the Russian Papers Saying ahead of Steve Witkoff's Meeting with Vladimir Putin?

Oct 21, 2026 | Steve Witkoff's in St Petersburg to meet President Putin: what are this morning’s Russian newspapers saying about the visit? Plus, an interesting editorial…with a warning for the Russian authorities.

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Press Dubs Trump "a Magician" for Making Some Sanctions Disappear.

Oct 19, 2026 | Donald Trump says the Russian sanctions waiver is designed to help negotiate peace. But the headline in one Russian paper today: “We will make a deal with Ukraine entirely on our terms.” Another paper declares: “Russia’s borders, as we know, do not end anywhere.”

Steve Rosenberg: “A Beautiful Deal”, “A Rotten Fish” and My Long Journey Back to Russia

Oct 18, 2026 | “A beautiful deal”, "a rotten fish" and a very long journey back to Russia. My reflections on a dramatic week. And Valentina has sent me a present.

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Papers Silent on the 20th Anniversary of Journalist's Murder

Oct 7, 2026 | 20 years ago today Anna Politkovskaya, one of Russia’s most prominent investigative journalists, was murdered in the stairwell of her apartment block. In today’s Russian newspapers I found no mention of this anniversary.

Steve Rosenberg: What Are Russian Newspapers Saying about Reports of a Potentially "Dangerous Infection" in Irkutsk?

Oct 5, 2026 | Today one Russian paper claims “Russia’s military has been given political blank cheque to carry out full demilitarisation & deindustrialisation of Ukraine.” But there's nothing in the papers from Irkutsk, where in recent days there have been reports of a potentially “dangerous infection.” I quote local TV, though.

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Paper: “The Election’s Over. It’s Time for Unpopular Measures.”

Sep 28, 2026 | Today one Russian newspaper writes: “The parliamentary elections are over. The time has come for unpopular measures.” Another reports on contacts between the Kremlin and the far-right AfD.

Steve Rosenberg: "What Should I Do If I Need My Motherland, But She Doesn’t Need Me?”

Sep 27, 2026 | “What should I do if I need my motherland, but she doesn’t need me?” Superheroes, special operations and “shaping the mindset of children.”

Steve Rosenberg: Ahead, Russia Has Not Peace, But War": Today's Russian Newspapers

Sep 25, 2026 | Today one Russian newspaper doubts that Vladimir Putin will attend the G20 summit in Miami and predicts “an even tougher and bloodier phase of the Ukraine conflict this winter.” Its headline: “Ahead Russia has not peace, but war.”

Steve Rosenberg: Russian Newspaper Warns of the "Deterioration of the Economic Situation" in Russia

Sep 14, 2026 | Today’s Russian papers write about “the deterioration of the economic situation in Russia”, where “housing construction is deep in the red” & “increasingly expensive groceries & petrol are making people worry more about inflation.”

Steve Rosenberg: Russia: a 'Holy War', a Subway Station and the Mood on the Street

Sep 13, 2026 | In Moscow I visit a new Metro station that references the war in Ukraine, a museum that heroises Russian & North Korean soldiers and I try to gauge the mood on the streets.

Steve Rosenberg: "Hole in Russia's State Budget" Bigger Than Expected

Sep 10, 2026 | In today’s Russian papers: “hole in the state budget” bigger than expected; “growing demand in Russia for insurance cover for drone attacks”. And a senior official claims: “Russia can survive only as a great power. We’re either a great power, or nothing.”

Steve Rosenberg: What Are Today's Russian Papers Saying about Russia's Economic Problems?

September 8, 2026

Steve Rosenberg: Diplomacy of the Doomed": What the Russian Papers Are Saying about US Talks with Putin

Sep 7, 2026 | "Diplomacy of the Doomed" is how one of today's Russian papers sums up Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's talks with Vladimir Putin, adding "Their mission was doomed to underachievement from the outset."

Steve Rosenberg: Russia: Change, Apples and a National Idea

September 6, 2026 | What has been changing in Russia? What were the Russian papers writing about last week? Plus, memories of Soviet TV.

Steve Rosenberg: Modi Calls on Putin to Move towards Peace. How Should We Interpret the Response?

Sep 1, 2026 | Yesterday Prime Minister Modi of India urged Vladimir Putin to move towards peace in Ukraine. What are today’s Russian newspapers saying about that? And how should we interpret the Kremlin leader’s response?

Steve Rosenberg: “The Destruction of the World Order Can No Longer Be Stopped,” Warns Russian Paper

Aug 31, 2026 | Today’s Russian papers report on Russia’s economic problems: “Stagnation in industry” & “Investment downturn significantly worse than expected.” But it's not just Russia that has problems, thinks one paper: “The destruction of the world order can't be stopped.”

Steve Rosenberg: Russia’s Anti-drone Cages for Buildings: What Are They Like?

Aug 28, 2026 | The Russian press continues to discuss John Ratcliffe’s surprise trip to Moscow. One paper: “The visit of a CIA chief is not a sign of peace & not a sign of war. It’s a sign normal channels are no longer effective and that the heavy artillery is required.” Plus, Russian cages for protecting buildings from drone attack.