Meduza

A mysterious sphere in a Russian forest became a cult landmark. Years after its collapse, locals still can’t agree on where it came from.

In the mid-1980s, a giant fiberglass sphere appeared deep in the forests of Russia’s Tver region. No one could quite explain ...
Meduza

Putin appoints FSB chief, defense minister, and his ex-bodyguard to newly created AI commission

Vladimir Putin has established a presidential commission on the development of AI technology, according to an executive order published online on Thursday.
Meduza

Putin’s ‘palace’ pocket change: How billions in leftover construction funds went to the Russian president’s rumored romantic partner

The company that financed the construction of Vladimir Putin’s infamous Black Sea mansion ended the project with a 6.5-billion ruble surplus (approximately $84 million today). This “change” was ...
Meduza

Russia reportedly plans to fully block Telegram in April — except for on the front lines

The Russian authorities plan to permanently block the messaging app Telegram in early April, the news outlet RBC reported, citing a source familiar with discussions in the relevant government agencies ...
Meduza

These Russians were children when Putin launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. Four years later, here’s what they think about their country — and their future.

As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its fifth year, a new generation of Russians is coming of age. Despite state pressure ...
Meduza

Ukraine’s President Zelensky reveals Kyiv bunker in video address marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion

President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video address on Tuesday, February 24, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s ...
MeduzaOpinion

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, journalist Lucian Kim argues that a generational clash over Soviet nostalgia made the war possible

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Naked Pravda speaks with journalist and author ...
Meduza

Western analysts say Russia is losing 50,000 soldiers a month. A Meduza investigation suggests those estimates are based on manipulated data.

Given the battlefield stalemate in Ukraine, Kyiv’s best remaining hope is attrition — inflicting losses on the Russian army heavy enough to persuade the Kremlin that continuing the war is pointless.
Meduza

Russia’s military recruitment numbers remain steady, but how long can the regions foot the bill? Meduza asks researcher Janis Kluge.

It’s no secret that Russia relies on high salaries and sign-on bonuses to recruit more soldiers to fight in Ukraine. Despite ...
Meduza

Lukashenko is an accomplice, but the people are not: Zelensky gives first wartime interview to Belarusian media

Russia is still trying to drag Belarus further into its war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his first ...
Meduza

A Russian investigator worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to rescue child sexual abuse victims. Now he’s charged with treason.

On February 5, 2025, reports emerged that Russia had arrested Ivan Semenikhin, an operative with the Interior Ministry’s ...
Meduza

The Kremlin spent years building a messenger to replace Telegram. Now it is reportedly telling soldiers the substitute is too insecure to use at the front.

Russian troops fighting in Ukraine have been advised to stop using Max — the Kremlin-backed “national messenger” app designed ...