February 17, 2026 – Russia Headlines

Story gist: Kaspersky Laboratory detected an Android virus on 13,000 new smartphones.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, omitting coverage entirely. Center outlets like Vedomosti frame factually, headlining Kaspersky’s virus discovery on 13,000 new smartphones with neutral tone. Right-leaning BB.LV sensationalizes via exaggeration, claiming Google advises discarding a billion pre-2021 phones, shifting emphasis to corporate waste and alarmism while omitting Kaspersky’s findings.

Story gist: OVD-Info reported that more than 10 people were detained in Russia during commemorative actions on the second anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Novaya Gazeta frames the anniversary with an optimistic activist interview on saving Navalny and faith in Russia’s future, emphasizing resistance and hope. Center BBC offers neutral photo coverage of commemorations. Right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting the story and any pro-government perspective on the detentions or Navalny’s death.

Story gist: Moscow hosts Chinese New Year celebrations approved by Beijing. St. Petersburg features ten cultural events for the holiday.

Bias summary: No left-leaning outlets cover the story, omitting any progressive perspective. Center outlet Fontanka.ru emphasizes local cultural festivities in St. Petersburg, highlighting ‘atmospheric’ events in a promotional tone. Right-leaning EADaily spotlights Moscow celebrations with Beijing’s explicit approval, framing it via quoted ‘Chinese New Year’ to stress official Russia-China endorsement.

Story gist: Maslenitsa week has begun in Russia. The seven-day Orthodox festival precedes Lent and features traditions including blini consumption and daily customs.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets offer no coverage, absenting any secular or critical perspective on the religious holiday. Center outlets like Interfax provide neutral, practical guides detailing the festive week by days, signs, and traditions. Right-leaning Милосердие.ru frames it positively with emphasis on blini and ‘good deeds,’ stressing charitable and moral elements of celebration.

Story gist: Over 600 skiers from various parts of Russia’s Far East gathered in Vladivostok for the ‘Luzhnya Rossii 2026’ event.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets omitted coverage entirely, providing no perspective. Center outlets like VL.ru factually detailed the Vladivostok event’s participation numbers and included photos/video for local focus. Right-leaning spbdnevnik.ru shifted emphasis to St. Petersburg entrants, quoting Governor Beglov to highlight that region’s involvement in the national race.