The Moscow Times

Russian police have reportedly uncovered a massive fraud scheme at one of Russia’s foreign exchange markets suspected of embezzling more than 1,000 people. The suspects used an unidentified brand to attract investments “under the guise of providing services in the forex market,” Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk told the RBC news website Wednesday. Special software was allegedly used to show clients their profits, which were then “cashed in with a special plugin,” she was cited as saying...

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has reportedly been denied residency in Switzerland over fears that he may pose a security and reputational risk due to alleged criminal links. Swiss media reported this year that Abramovich, 51, had in 2016 applied for residency in the southwestern ski resort of Verbier, but then withdrew his application. In 2018, the steel tycoon reportedly received an Israeli passport after being left without a visa to Britain, where he owns the Chelsea football club. Swiss...

The Russian military has deployed coastal defense missile systems in the Arctic amid increased military activity in the region. Moscow renewed interest in the Arctic with the discovery of untapped oil and natural gas reserves and a desire to secure access to the Northern Sea Route — a strategic trade artery that has the potential to reroute East-West global trade flows. A military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin in 2014 entrusts Russia’s armed forces with maintaining the country’s strategic interests in the Arctic...

Anti-Kremlin activist and publisher Pyotr Verzilov says he has regained consciousness after falling seriously ill from a suspected poisoning two weeks ago. Verzilov, 30, was hospitalized in Moscow late on Sept. 11 after losing his sight, hearing and walking ability. German doctors said he was doing better since he arrived in Berlin for treatment last week. “This is only the third day in relative consciousness, and 12 days in a black hole before that,” Verzilov tweeted on Tuesday. “I’m spending my days in the friendly company of wonderful poisons...

State-run Russian television has come to the defense of U.S. President Donald Trump’s private parts against allegations by adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Daniels, who has claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump a decade ago, has reportedly written a memoir about her running legal battles with Trump. Excerpts of the book obtained by Britain’s The Guardian describe his allegedly “smaller than average” but “not freakishly small” genitalia. Pro-Kremlin pundit Dmitry Kiselyov accused Daniels...