January 1, 2026 – Russia Headlines

Story gist: Russia’s VAT rate will increase to 22% starting in 2026. The Federal Tax Service recommended updated forms for invoices, purchase books, and sales books.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, providing no coverage or perspective. Center source consultant.ru reports factually on the VAT rate rising to 22% from 2026 and FNS form recommendations, emphasizing procedural details. Right-leaning tve24.ru uses vague headline ‘rate of one tax changed,’ omitting specifics like tax type, timeline, and guidance for sensational effect.

Story gist: Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a New Year’s address to citizens. The speech referenced ‘victory,’ contrasting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address mentioning ‘peace.’

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza frames it neutrally as Putin delivering a standard address. Center outlet Radio Svoboda emphasizes contrast between Putin’s ‘victory’ rhetoric and Zelensky’s ‘peace’ focus, highlighting war differences. Right-leaning official Kremlin site presents it straightforwardly as a patriotic address to Russians, omitting Zelensky comparison and international tensions.

Story gist: Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin congratulated residents of Moscow on the New Year via the city’s official website.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting the story entirely. Center-leaning Rambler focused on a state award to the director of a Moscow social services home, emphasizing welfare achievements without mentioning Sobyanin. Right-leaning RIA Tvoi Novosti highlighted Sobyanin’s praise for residents’ role in city changes, using positive tone to credit public contributions.

Story gist: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian president’s residence.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza frames the event under ‘War,’ emphasizing ongoing conflict. Center Interfax provides a neutral, factual title on the Lukashenko-Putin discussion. Right-leaning BUSINESS Online shifts emphasis to U.S. plans to study intelligence data on the drone attack on Putin’s residence, highlighting American involvement and potential scrutiny.

Story gist: Finnish authorities detained the crew and a vessel traveling from Russia to Israel. The vessel is suspected of damaging an underwater cable.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, omitting coverage that might highlight Russian ties critically. Center outlets like BBC frame neutrally, emphasizing police action and suspicion of cable damage en route from Russia. Right-leaning outlets absent, missing potential framing downplaying incident or questioning Finnish motives amid Russia tensions.