Russia in February 2026: the most important developments in society
In February 2026, the Jeffrey Epstein files were the most frequently reported topic in Russian public life. Newly released documents reportedly showed a 2015 conversation between Epstein and former Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak about moving 'a million Russians' to Israel. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed allegations that Epstein was a Russian spy as 'yellow journalism', and the Kremlin denied similar claims. The French government said it had detected a Russian disinformation operation spreading false claims linking President Emmanuel Macron to Epstein, and reports said Russian state media and social media accounts used the case for propaganda.
Sport was a second theme. Italy opposed Russian athletes competing at the Paralympics with national flags, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the reported denial of visas for escorts of Russian Paralympic athletes an inhumane act, and the Ukrainian team said it would boycott the opening ceremony over Russian participation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he supports lifting Russia's international sports ban.
President Vladimir Putin issued a series of domestic instructions. He ordered a new unified school textbook and Russian language faculties at universities, a review of the name for vocational education, job placement recommendations for veterans of the war in Ukraine, and measures to raise birth rates and support families. The Kremlin was reported to be assessing public reaction to sharp increases in utility prices, and protests were reported over attempts to block WhatsApp and Telegram. A Russian comedian was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for a joke about a war veteran, and a person was fined under the 'LGBT propaganda' law over a picture of the band Queen in drag.
On February 24, the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and Defender of the Fatherland Day, Putin called for a crackdown on Russophobia and on attempts to divide Russian society, and the Kremlin said Russians now better understand their historical roots. Other reports covered record snowfall in Moscow and the drowning of seven Chinese tourists after their vehicle broke through the ice on Lake Baikal.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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