February 18, 2026 – Russia Headlines

Story gist: The Bank of Russia proposes introducing a registry of financial bloggers. Banks would place advertising only with registered bloggers.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting the story entirely and leaving those perspectives absent. Center outlet Sostav.ru reports the proposal factually, emphasizing the registry and advertising restrictions without added tone or opinion.

Story gist: Russia’s State Duma passed a law requiring mobile operators to disconnect communication services upon FSB requests. The measure applies regardless of specified threats.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza frames the law critically, emphasizing blocks ‘even if no security threat,’ implying overreach. Center outlet Vedomosti reports neutrally, mirroring the title without added context. No right-leaning coverage provided, omitting pro-government or security-justified perspectives.

Story gist: Russian State Duma decided to remove from consideration recommendations to impose VAT on foreign goods sold on online marketplaces. Decision linked to a resolution on domestic light industry development.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza emphasizes Duma support for introducing VAT on foreign marketplace goods, highlighting protectionist intent. Center Interfax neutrally reports postponement of light industry resolution due to VAT clause, focusing on procedural delay. Right-leaning duma.gov.ru via Volodin provides official statement, likely justifying decision without controversy; no strong oppositional framing present.

Story gist: Market commentary focused on geopolitical factors. Trading results showed growth halting before a key level, per BKS Express.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage, absenting those perspectives. Center outlet BKS Express framed results factually, emphasizing paused growth at a threshold without highlighting geopolitics in the headline, maintaining neutral tone on market pause.

Story gist: Moscow Zoo invited visitors to a festival celebrating Chinese New Year. Beijing approved the event.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, leaving pro-Russian perspective unopposed. Center (Moscow Zoo) frames neutrally as cultural invitation. Right-leaning (EADaily) uses quotes around ‘Chinese New Year’ and stresses Beijing’s approval, emphasizing geopolitical endorsement amid Russia-China ties.