Russia Blocks The Moscow Times Website

Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked the Russian-language website of The Moscow Times over a false report, authorities say, about members of the riot police refusing to fight in Ukraine.

Although the English version is accessible, the Russian one can still be read via a VPN connection and from abroad.

Russia has made virtually all independent news coverage in the country impossible, including by threatening heavy fines and long prison terms. The words ‘invasion’ and ‘war’ should not be used in messages about Ukraine.

More than a month ago, The Moscow Times decided to move to Amsterdam, where journalists work from DPG Media’s headquarters. Founder and owner Derk Sauer had already made it clear that he wanted to evacuate the editors because of the deteriorated working climate for journalists. “It’s just too bad,” he wrote in his column in Het Parool.

At least 40 websites have been blocked since the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, writes The Moscow Times.