Ann Simmons
Cambridge
Executive Editor @Northeastern Global News. Ex-Moscow bureau chief @WSJ. Ex-staffer @LATimes, @TIME, @MiamiHerald. Served as Spring 2025 Fellow at @HarvardIOP.
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Articles by Ann Simmons
スパイ妄想強いロシア、逮捕におびえる科学者
Think of Russia’s most dangerous jobs and the role of research scientist doesn’t immediately spring to mind. Coal miner, maybe. Or a deep-sea diver on the Barents Sea oil rigs. The same kinds of jobs that are dangerous anywhere. But over the past six years, at least a dozen scientists, many of whom conducted research in the field of high-speed aerodynamics or hypersonics, have been arrested. Some of the arrests were on suspicion of handing over scientific data to Moscow’s rivals.
Attacks on Gay Rights Push Russia’s LGBTQ Community Into the Shadows
Your browser does not support the audio tag. 00:00 / 01:46 This article is in your queue. A decade ago, Russian publisher Leo Veles says, he could hang out in gay bars and clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The scene wasn’t as vibrant as in New York or London, but gay people could gather at spots such as Central Station and the Three Monkeys relatively free from scrutiny.
Spy Mania Sows Fear Among Russia’s Scientists
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Spy Mania Sows Fear Among Russia’s Scientists
Your browser does not support the audio tag. 00:00 / 12:01 This article is in your queue. Think of Russia’s most dangerous jobs and the role of research scientist doesn’t immediately spring to mind. Coal miner, maybe. Or a deep sea diver on the Barents Sea oil rigs. The same kinds of jobs that are dangerous anywhere. But over the past six years, at least a dozen scientists, many of whom conducted research in the field of high-speed aerodynamics or hypersonics, have been arrested.
Keep food safe when tailgating
Football season is in full swing, and with it comes opportunities to tailgate with family and friends. No one wishes to end the weekend with mild gastrointestinal symptoms, or worse, a hospitalization, after exposure to unsafe food pathogens, better known as “food poisoning.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate 48 million cases of food-borne illness occur annually in the United States, with 3,000 deaths per year.
U.S. to Sanction Iran Over Ballistic-Missile Deliveries to Russia
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Barrage of Drones Targets Moscow, Russian Border Regions
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Russia Comes Under One of Biggest Drone Attacks of Ukraine War
Bankruptcy 2 hours ago Iconic auto parts retailer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy TheStreet - Kirk O’Neil • 2h Huge auto parts retailer files for a prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The automotive industry has suffered its share of bankruptcies this year with … Apple Watch Now Apple’s new AirPods are also hearing aids. Can they really save you thousands of dollars?
U.S. to Sanction Iran Over Ballistic Missile Deliveries to Russia
Russia Hit by One of the Largest Drone Attacks Since War Began Your browser does not support HTML5 video. 0:00 Paused 0:00 / 1:13 Russia Hit by One of the Largest Drone Attacks Since War BeganPlay video: Russia Hit by One of the Largest Drone Attacks Since War Began LONDON—The U.S. said it would impose sanctions on Tehran as punishment for supplying Moscow with ballistic missiles, estimating that Russia would likely use the newly delivered weapons against Ukraine within weeks.
The Putin Propaganda Chief Who the U.S. Says Is Now After American Minds
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The Putin Propaganda Chief Who the U.S. Says Is Now After American Minds
Your browser does not support the audio tag. 00:00 / 01:46 This article is in your queue. Since arriving at the Kremlin, Sergei Kiriyenko’s job has been to make sure the Russian people see only what Vladimir Putin wants them to see. Now U.S. prosecutors say he is trying to do the same for Americans. On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department named Kiriyenko as the curator of some 30 internet domains that were being used by the Russian government to spread false information.
France Detains Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Fanning Tensions With Russia
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France Detains Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Fanning Tensions With Russia
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France Detains Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Fanning Tensions With Russia
PARIS—Pavel Durov, the founder and chief executive of the popular Telegram messaging app, was detained here by French authorities on Saturday night, a French official said, fueling new tensions with Moscow. Durov was taken into custody after his private jet landed at Le Bourget airport just north of Paris, the official said. On Sunday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry demanded access for its diplomats to the 39-year-old tech entrepreneur, who was born in Russia.
As War Comes to Russia, It’s Business as Usual for Putin
Earlier this month, the acting governor of the Kursk region tried to explain to Russian President Vladimir Putin how much territory Ukrainian troops had seized. A visibly irritated Putin cut him off. $13.75/Week $1.75/Week Includes unlimited access to The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch and Investor’s Business Daily $9.75/Week $1/Week Includes unlimited access to WSJ's unrivaled journalism. Already a subscriber? Sign in Already a subscriber? Sign In
As War Comes to Russia, It’s Business as Usual for Putin
Earlier this month, the acting governor of the Kursk region tried to explain to Russian President Vladimir Putin how much territory Ukrainian troops had seized. A visibly irritated Putin cut him off. $13.75/Week $1.75/Week Includes unlimited access to The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch and Investor’s Business Daily $9.75/Week $1/Week Includes unlimited access to WSJ's unrivaled journalism. Already a subscriber? Sign in
The Lonely Death of a Forgotten Russian Dissident
Pavel Kushnir started playing piano at the age of two. Those familiar with his talent considered him a prodigy. Music, he said, was his passion and, after graduating from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, he performed as a soloist in orchestras in Kursk and Kurgan as he built what he hoped would be a stellar career. Instead, he ended up in a prison camp, staging a hunger strike, one of hundreds of Russians locked up for voicing their opposition to President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine.
U.S.-Russian Citizen Ksenia Karelina Sentenced to 12 Years in Penal Colony for Ukraine Donation
$13.75/Week $4/Week Includes unlimited access to The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch and Investor’s Business Daily
Alexei Navalny’s Widow Has New Details of His Death. She Doesn’t Believe Them.
Alexei Navalny’s widow said a Russian investigation found that her husband died of a combination of diseases and that resuscitation efforts failed, in the most detailed official version yet of the death of the Kremlin critic in an Arctic prison camp earlier this year. Yulia Navalnaya, who has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind her husband’s death, denounced the findings as “a lie” and encouraged prison guards to contact her confidentially about what they saw.
On Russia’s Border, Fear and Defiance: ‘No One Will Chase Us Out of Here’
“The town started emptying out as part of the evacuation,” said Baidak’s daughter Viktoria, but the pair decided to stay put. “This is our land, and no one will chase us out of here,” the lawyer said from her home in Sudzha on Monday, while Ukrainian troops patrolled the streets outside.
Putin Rolls Out Red Carpet for Hackers, Smugglers and Spies Released in Prisoner Swap
In the West, they were seen as spies, hackers, smugglers and hired assassins. In Moscow, they were greeted as heroes and promised state medals.
Falsely Accused Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich in Court for Start of Secret Russian Trial
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appeared in a Russian court Wednesday to face a false accusation of espionage in a secret trial, as a senior Kremlin official told reporters that Moscow was open to the possibility of a prisoner-swap deal that would send him home.
ロシアで拘束のWSJ記者、裁判所に出廷
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Falsely Accused Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich in Court for Start of Secret Russian Trial
X Manage Cookies We and our partners use “cookies” and similar technologies on our websites so that we can offer you the best possible experience. Cookies allow us to access and store data on a device and process personal data, such as unique dentifiers, sent by a device to personalise content, tailor and report on advertising and analyse our traffic. We work with 83 partners to do this. By clicking “Yes, I Agree” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Falsely Accused Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich in Court for Start of Secret Russian Trial
Gershkovich, the Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny the accusations against him. The U.S. has designated him as “wrongfully detained” and has called for his immediate release. On a day that Gershkovich was put on display in a padlocked, transparent box in a Yekaterinburg courtroom, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, again raised the prospect of a prisoner exchange with the U.S., something that has become a common refrain from Russian officials.
Falsely Accused Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich in Court for Start of Secret Russian Trial
X Manage Cookies We and our partners use “cookies” and similar technologies on our websites so that we can offer you the best possible experience. Cookies allow us to access and store data on a device and process personal data, such as unique dentifiers, sent by a device to personalise content, tailor and report on advertising and analyse our traffic. We work with 83 partners to do this. By clicking “Yes, I Agree” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Falsely Accused Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich in Court for Start of Secret Russian Trial
Gershkovich, the Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny the accusations against him. The U.S. has designated him as “wrongfully detained” and has called for his immediate release. On a day that Gershkovich was put on display in a padlocked, transparent box in a Yekaterinburg courtroom, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, again raised the prospect of a prisoner exchange with the U.S., something that has become a common refrain from Russian officials.
再次遭受恐袭暴露俄罗斯内部的脆弱
X Manage Cookies We and our partners use “cookies” and similar technologies on our websites so that we can offer you the best possible experience. Cookies allow us to access and store data on a device and process personal data, such as unique dentifiers, sent by a device to personalise content, tailor and report on advertising and analyse our traffic. We work with 83 partners to do this. By clicking “Yes, I Agree” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Another Terrorist Attack Exposes Russia’s Vulnerable Underbelly
Kremlin is focused more on war in Ukraine than on tracking homegrown threats A terrorist attack that killed at least 20 people over the weekend in Dagestan exposes some of Russia’s growing security weak spots deep in its hinterland, as the Kremlin focuses instead on pursuing its war in Ukraine and silencing its political opponents in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Terrorist Attacks in Russia’s Dagestan Target Synagogue, Churches, Police
Coordinated attacks kill at least nine people amid a spike in violence across Russia Gunmen killed at least nine people in attacks Sunday on a synagogue, police station and two churches in Russia’s restive North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, the latest incidents in a trend of rising violence across Russia in the past year.
Russia Says It Is Awaiting U.S. Response on Prisoner Swap
The comments from a senior Russian diplomat are an apparent reference to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich Russia said it is awaiting a response from Washington to its proposals for a possible exchange of prisoners, an apparent reference to U.S. citizens detained in Russia such as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Russia, North Korea Agree to Aid Each Other if Attacked
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un had struck a deal to provide mutual aid if either country was attacked, as the two leaders sought to strengthen their military ties in a show of defiance against the U.S.-led West. Putin hailed the deal—reached by the nuclear-armed states at a summit in Pyongyang—as a breakthrough that would elevate the cooperation between the two authoritarian nations.
Russia Gears Up for Song, Sports Contests as It Pushes ‘West vs. Rest’ Message
Listen to article (2 minutes) When TV broadcasters in Europe came up with the idea for Eurovision, the kitschy pan-continental song contest, it wasn’t long before the Soviet bloc came up with one of their own. The Intervision Song Contest ran from 1965 to 1968 and again from 1977 to 1980, usually in Poland and sometimes attracting the occasional act from the West. Later this year Russia plans to revive the contest—but this time there won’t be any Western performers.
Putin Says Any Deal to Free Jailed Journal Reporter Must Benefit Russia
The Russian leader said the U.S. has been taking vigorous steps to free Evan Gershkovich, who has been held for over a year Russian President Vladimir Putin said any deal to free Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich would come only through a mutually beneficial agreement with the U.S., which he said has been pushing hard for the release of the American journalist since he was detained over 14 months ago.
Russian Court Extends Detention of Radio Journalist for Two More Months
May 31, 2024 10:08 am ET Alsu Kurmasheva held children’s drawings on Friday during a court hearing in Kazan, Russia. Photo: Associated Press A Russian court extended the pretrial detention of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on Friday, one of several cases of U.S. citizens detained in Russia that have exacerbated tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Georgia’s Parliament Overrules President to Pass Controversial ‘Foreign Agent’ Law
May 28, 2024 7:54 am ET Lawmakers in Georgia overruled the country’s president to back contentious new legislation, which European Union officials say threatens the former Soviet republic’s path toward membership of the bloc and protesters fear could drag it closer to Russia.
Trump Says His Relationship With Putin Will Help Free Jailed WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich
The Kremlin says the Russian leader isn’t in contact with the former U.S. president about the journalist Former President Donald Trump said his relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin would help secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in a Moscow jail for more than a year.
Trump Says His Relationship With Putin Will Help Free Jailed WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich
The Kremlin responded by saying the Russian leader isn’t in contact with the former U.S. president about the journalist Former President Donald Trump said his relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin would help secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in a Moscow jail for more than a year.
Behind Putin Visit, Unease in Beijing Over His Potential Next Stop: North Korea
In the days leading up to Vladimir Putin’s just-finished visit to China, speculation rippled through diplomatic circles that the Russian leader planned to tack on a trip to North Korea—a possibility that irritated Beijing, according to diplomats and other officials with knowledge of the matter.
Russia Says U.S. Ignores Its Proposals for Prisoner Swap
Russia accused the U.S. of ignoring its proposals for a prisoner swap, in the latest public disagreement between Moscow and Washington over the direction of negotiations that could include the release of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. “The U.S. side is continuing to disregard our proposals,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the state news agency TASS on Friday. “It’s a highly delicate topic.
Putin Showcases His Ambitions in a Chinese City Built by Czarist Russia
HONG KONG—Russian leader Vladimir Putin embraced symbols of his country’s imperial past and the Russian Orthodox Church as he sought to underpin his rule and geopolitical ambitions during a visit to a Russian-built city in northeastern China. The Russian leader traveled to the city of Harbin Friday, a six-hour drive south of the Russian border, a day after receiving a warm welcome in Beijing from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Russia’s Putin Replaces Defense Minister in Security Shake-Up
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday replaced his defense minister Sergei Shoigu, a longtime ally, nominating an economist to replace him in the most substantial shake-up to the military’s command structure since Moscow launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022.
Angry Families of Missing Russian Soldiers Want Answers From Putin
Listen to article (1 minute) Natalia Kruglova last spoke to her husband, Pvt. Ivan Petrov, on Sept. 29. The Russian army conscript told Kruglova he had been ordered back to the front lines in southeastern Ukraine. Then he disappeared. Kruglova wrote to her husband’s commanding officers, the Defense Ministry and even military prosecutors in search of news, but to no avail. Weeks later, the army declared Petrov missing but offered no explanation of what had happened to him.
Secure at Home, Putin Builds on the Alliances He Needs to Prevail in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin was inaugurated as Russia’s president for another six-year term in lavish style at the Kremlin after sidelining or eliminating his rivals, and is now focused squarely on the war in Ukraine—and the alliances he needs to secure a victory. Since the invasion two years ago, Putin has nurtured close relationships with a host of countries who share his wariness of the U.S. and the West. Iran has provided missiles and drones. North Korea has sent ammunition and other weapons.
Secure at Home, Putin Builds on the Alliances He Needs to Prevail in Ukraine
The Wall Street Journal. flipped this story into Latest From the WSJ
To Russia’s South, Georgians Protest Against Moscow-Inspired ‘Foreign Agents’ Bill
The legislation is seen as a Russian ploy to weaken growing ties between the former Soviet state and Europe Proposals for a restrictive new political-funding law have set off a storm in Georgia, triggering days of street protests from government opponents who say it represents Russia’s latest attempt to export its legal standards to countries that made up the old Soviet Union, and are instead urging a decisive break with Moscow.
Rash of Russian Journalist Detentions Raises the Stakes for Speaking Out
The Kremlin is again tightening the screws on free speech in Russia, detaining several journalists in recent days on allegations ranging from extremism to discrediting the military as it tries to stamp out any whisper of dissent against President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. In the past week, two Russian journalists have been placed in pretrial detention and a third Russian reporter put under house arrest.
EU Lawmakers Call for Release of WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich and Others Held in Russia
European lawmakers approved a resolution calling for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all political prisoners held in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been in custody in a Moscow prison awaiting trial for more than a year.
Russian Court Rejects WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s Appeal Against Detention
A Moscow court rejected an appeal by Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich against his detention, meaning the U.S. citizen, who has been awaiting trial for over a year, will remain behind bars until at least June 30. Gershkovich, who appeared in court Tuesday, is being held on an allegation of espionage that he, the Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny. The State Department has declared him wrongfully detained, a designation that commits the government to work for his release.
U.S. Envoy to Russia Visits Jailed WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich
The U.S. ambassador to Russia visited Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter who has been in custody in Moscow awaiting trial for more than a year, as negotiations continue behind closed doors to secure the American’s release. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said Thursday that Lynne Tracy met with Gershkovich at the notorious Lefortovo Prison in Moscow, where he is being held on an allegation of espionage that he, the Journal and the U.S. government strongly deny.
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