Life in Russia

[Ravenlocke]

Russia Becomes Biggest Buyer of Turkish Salmon

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russia-becomes-biggest-buyer-of-turkish-salmon/

Turkiye replaces Norway as Russia's largest supplier of salmon
#SeafoodSupplyChain

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1947309225803227642

1947309225803227642

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russia-becomes-biggest-buyer-of-turkish-salmon/

Russia Becomes Biggest Buyer of Turkish Salmon
July 21, 2025 Agriculture, Imports, Middle East, Russian Market By Russia's Pivot to Asia

Türkiye’s aquaculture exports reached US$217 million in H1 2025, with Russia and Belarus emerging as the leading buyers, according to data compiled from the Aegean Fisheries and Animal Products Exporters’ Association.

Turkish salmon emerged as the fastest-growing product in Türkiye’s aquaculture sector. Russia previously sourced its salmon from European nations such as Norway, but sanctions have stopped this trade. Turkish salmon is actually a variety of trout farmed in the Black Sea and has seen rising demand across global markets. According to industry data, Türkiye produced 32,000 tons of Turkish salmon in the first six months of the year.

With harvesting completed by July, the entire stock of both fresh and frozen products is expected to be sold by year-end, generating an estimated US$500–US$600 million in export earnings, primarily benefiting producers in the Black Sea region. Sector representatives project that continued investment in processing and filleting capacity will enable entry into new international markets. Long-term forecasts indicate that Turkish salmon exports could surpass US$1 billion annually by 2032.

Russia, with its huge landmass, is the 69th biggest consumer of seafood in the world, with an average per capita consumption of 21.76 kg per annum.

Further Reading

Vladivostok Marine Fishing Port Begins Service to Import Fish From China’s Qingdao

[Ravenlocke]

🇻🇳 Vietnamese Culture Festival Opens in Moscow and St. Petersburg

Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia – July 29, 2025
The vibrant spirit of Vietnam has arrived in Russia as the Vietnamese Culture Festival officially opened this week, welcoming guests to explore the rich traditions, art, and heritage of the Southeast Asian nation.

📍 Festival at Manezhnaya Square, Moscow

Held in the heart of Moscow at Manezhnaya Square, the festival will run until August 3, offering locals and tourists alike the chance to immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture through more than 100 events.

Visitors can enjoy:
•Traditional music and dance performances
•Vietnamese cuisine
•Handicrafts and folk art exhibitions
•Interactive workshops and cultural displays

The event aims to deepen cultural ties between Russia and Vietnam while providing a platform to celebrate Vietnam’s diversity and historical legacy.

📍 Ho Chi Minh Square Unveiled in St. Petersburg

In St. Petersburg, cultural diplomacy took another symbolic step with the unveiling of Ho Chi Minh Square, named after the iconic Vietnamese leader and a long-standing symbol of Vietnamese-Russian friendship.

The opening ceremony was attended by high-profile figures, including:
•Governor Alexander Beglov of St. Petersburg
•Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam
•Dang Minh Khoi, Ambassador of Vietnam to Russia

The new square not only honors the legacy of Ho Chi Minh but also strengthens the historical and political bond between the two countries.

This festival and the inauguration of Ho Chi Minh Square come amid broader cultural and diplomatic engagement between Russia and Vietnam, showcasing enduring mutual respect and cooperation.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1950218731365257671

1950218731365257671

[Ravenlocke]

🇸🇦✈️🇷🇺 Historic First Direct Flight from Saudi Arabia to Russia Lands in Moscow

A new era of Saudi-Russian ties just touched down—literally.

The inaugural direct scheduled flight from Riyadh to Moscow landed at Vnukovo Airport today, marking the first regular air link between the two nations in years. Operated by Saudi low-cost carrier Flynas, the Airbus A320 departed Riyadh at 08:42 Moscow time and landed at 13:46, with plans to fly the route three times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays). A Riyadh–St. Petersburg route is planned.

Russian Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Poteshkin called the launch a “landmark event in civil aviation history,” crediting coordination between Russian agencies and Saudi partners. Passengers voiced hopes for visa-free travel to deepen ties.

🛑 From Pause to Partnership

Air links were suspended in 2020 and never resumed—until now. The delay stemmed from perceived low demand, but Saudi Arabia has since surged into Russia’s top three inbound tourism markets, with visits jumping 47-fold since 2019 (9,900 in Q1 2025).

🚀 What’s Next

Flynas will initially operate three weekly flights, with approval for up to four weekly flights through October 25. Meanwhile, Russia’s Azimut Airlines is preparing reciprocal flights by October. Today’s landing isn’t just a route—it’s a runway for a strategic partnership, fueled by tourism, business, and diplomacy.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1951389910700818872

1951389910700818872

[Ravenlocke]

🇷🇺 The manufacturer of amphibious all-terrain vehicles, Zvezda, has released the first prototype of a new Arctic bus. In addition, production has been prepared for the mass production of all-terrain vehicles, with a capacity of 50-70 vehicles per year.

The Zvezda T24 is a comfortable 24-seater Arctic bus for inter-village and tourist transportation. The company plans to produce a modification of the all-terrain vehicle as an ambulance for Arctic residents. All-terrain vehicles "Zvezda m" (medical modifications)

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1951344628193501232

1951344628193501232

are available in classes "A", "B", and "C", including specialized vehicles (neonatal resuscitation, cardiorespiratory resuscitation, and others), as well as all-terrain vehicles "Medical Service" in accordance with all the standards applicable to these vehicles.

Negotiations are underway to supply these vehicles to the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, including Chukotka and Yakutia.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1951344653476708551

1951344653476708551

[Bill Ryan]

Connoisseurs of this thread may appreciate the following. :)

In the US, the Republican party posted this:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GxOPBBQXEAA9P3u?format=jpg&name=large

But the old car behind Trump is a Russian Lada 1200.

:ROFL::ROFL::ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:

:heart::muscle::heart::muscle::heart:

[norman]

Entering Russia's "Most Dangerous Region"
Matt and Julia - Jul 30, 2025

Travelling through 'the most dangerous region' in Russia. Join us as we travel through Dagestan, Chechnya (Chechen Republic) and Ingushetia in the North Caucasus. This part of Russia, on the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is often feared by outsiders. Join us, as we attempt to hitchhike across this wild region of southern Russia and learn more about what life is really like here in 2025.


KQdXqv-LHYI

[Jaak]

-cRUuYrRbC8
sNmtf62Ha3c

[Ravenlocke]

Sputnik Africa,


🤸 Russian athlete Maria Roslyakova made history on July 7 as the first to perform a rhythmic gymnastics routine at the North Pole, showcasing ribbon, ball, and clubs in near-freezing temperatures at 90°N.

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1954250828308783444

1954250828308783444

Maria Roslyakova, a Russian gymnast, accomplished two records at once — national and world.

At the top of the world, she performed a gymnastics routine officially recognized as the northernmost in history.

She was watched over by a Russian Nuclear Powered Ice Breaker.

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1954177543067652100

1954177543067652100

[Ravenlocke]

🇷🇺 “Strength in Truth—2025” Rally Unites Russia’s Far East in Patriotic Display

In the heart of Russia’s Far East, Magadan’s Mayak Park came alive as the historic “Strength in Truth—2025” rally drew 10,000 attendees. This remote port city, located along the Sea of Okhotsk nearly 6,000 km east of Moscow, hosted residents, Pacific Fleet sailors, and visitors from across the region for this significant patriotic event.

Governor Sergei Nosov opened the ceremony by welcoming Admiral Viktor Liina, commander of the Pacific Fleet, who emphasized Magadan’s strategic naval legacy. Until 1994, the city served as a base for Soviet-era submarine brigades, making it a fitting starting point for this tour of Russia’s Pacific territories.

The emotional highlight came as rows of young Yunarmiya recruits (Russia’s national patriotic youth movement) stood at attention, swearing their oath to defend the Motherland. Attendees explored advanced naval weaponry aboard the landing ship Oslyabya, wrote letters to frontline troops, and watched marine commandos demonstrate combat readiness.

Having concluded its Magadan stop on August 10, the squadron now sails to other key Far Eastern locations: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the Pacific coast, then north to Anadyr - the capital of Chukotka just 85 km from Alaska across the Bering Strait. Subsequent stops include Provideniya and multiple Kuril Islands bases facing Japan.

More than a military exhibition, the event showcased the Far East’s vital role in Russia’s defense architecture while strengthening bonds between service members and civilians in these strategically crucial regions.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1955374635421405372

1955374635421405372

[Ravenlocke]

🇷🇺😍✈️ Beauties on the turns: female pilots demonstrated their skills in the sky.

The girl's aerobatic team "Barsy" performed advanced aerobatic maneuvers on the Yak-52. #Russian #Russia

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1955366287493972225

1955366287493972225

[Ravenlocke]

Russians with Attitude

The news that actually matters: the new Federal Motorway M12 "Vostok" now reaches my city in the Urals

A car trip to Moscow is now 16 hours (used to be 30), Kazan in 8 hrs (was 15)

Westward road trips now take HALF the time - and it owns so hard.

https://x.com/RWApodcast/status/1954963478768427367

1954963478768427367


🇷🇺 Russia’s M-12 “Vostok” Highway: A Game-Changer for Eurasian Connectivity

The new 275 km Dyurtyuli–Achit section completes a 2,500 km nonstop, high-speed corridor from St. Petersburg to Chelyabinsk, slashing travel times between Moscow and Yekaterinburg. Engineered for efficiency, the M-12 features automated tolls, a 3 km Volga River bridge, and zero traffic lights—bypassing congestion entirely.

By 2026, the highway will reach Tyumen, forming the backbone of a 12,000 km route stretching to Vladivostok. The Moscow–Kazan segment alone has logged 24 million trips in under a year, proving its transformative impact.

China has responded swiftly, pledging deeper transport cooperation as Putin pushes extensions toward China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and North Korea. This isn’t just infrastructure—it’s strategy: Russia’s road upgrades and China’s rail expansions are turning borders into economic gateways.

The bottom line: Eurasia’s connectivity map is being redrawn—and these projects ensure both nations sit at its center.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1954983580293271561

1954983580293271561

[Bill Ryan]

Copying this post by mountain_jim on the Animals are Magical thread: (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?106567-Animals-are-Magical&p=1680742&viewfull=1#post1680742)

:heart::ROFL:

~~~

Only in Russia :russia:

https://x.com/ClownWorld_/status/1955447918372196648
1955447918372196648

[norman]

Entering Russia's "Most Dangerous Region"
Matt and Julia - Jul 30, 2025

Travelling through 'the most dangerous region' in Russia. Join us as we travel through Dagestan, Chechnya (Chechen Republic) and Ingushetia in the North Caucasus. This part of Russia, on the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is often feared by outsiders. Join us, as we attempt to hitchhike across this wild region of southern Russia and learn more about what life is really like here in 2025.


KQdXqv-LHYI



Part 2 has been posted


ENTERING CHECHNYA (Russia's Most Infamous Region)

We're entering Chechnya, the most infamous republic in Russia, but what is life really like?

Part 2 of our hitchhiking journey across the Russian North Caucasus takes us from Dagestan into Chechnya, crossing a remote high mountain pass few outsiders ever see. We explore isolated villages, meet locals in the rugged Chechen mountains, and eventually hitchhike all the way down to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s most infamous region. Before heading onwards to Ingushetia, the smallest republic in Russia.

Chechnya is a place most people only know from headlines, but we want to show you the side you won’t see anywhere else. Join us as we traverse Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia, share the stunning landscapes, and moments of connection with people who call this remarkable region home.

This is what real life in Chechnya is like, and what it’s like to travel through the North Caucasus without a plan, relying only on the locals.


6DPWTqHVy8k

[Jaak]

Seems in Russia thay are pushing more for censorship of internet like in west .
Odd how similar it is . Lock-step just like it was with covid...
AAbynjlMZ04

[Ravenlocke]

Alaska Resident on Returning from Russia: Most of the people in the United States are brainwashed. They watch the news on television, and they believe that it’s true.

I’ve had experiences when I come back from Russia and they say, “Is it true that the Russian economy is in shambles and that the Russian people are suffering?”

And I always tell them, “No, they’re doing okay. They’re strong, and they’re doing okay, and you’re watching too much television.”

The United States is a much more dangerous place than Russia.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1955709380097401036

1955709380097401036

[Bill Ryan]

Seems in Russia thay are pushing more for censorship of internet like in west .
Odd how similar it is . Lock-step just like it was with covid...
AAbynjlMZ04Here are just a few more video titles from this guy's YouTube channel. (There are dozens more just like this.)


Russian Airports are COOKED
Russian AI Slop is insane
Russian Influencers are COOKED
'Russia Has No Migrants'
Russian Reddit is Insufferable
Z Russians are EXTREMELY fragile
Russian Real Estate is COOKED...
The Psychosis of Russia's Victory Day
Even Children are Exposing Russia Now...
I Ranked Every Russian Food (2/10)
Why Russians Support Putin - The Shocking Truth
How Chinese Cars Took Over Russia - And Failed
The Russian Society is COOKED...
Did a BLACK MAN Create the Russian Language?
Russian Pop Culture has hit a new low
Putin's Russia vs Trump's America: Who's More WOKE?
Russian Propaganda is BEYOND PARODY now
Sigma Boy Song Accused of RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA
How Russia Jails YouTubers

He's a Russophobe, and so are you. Here's a good thread for you to read and post on! :)


Russophobia: why do so many people in the west hate and fear Russia? (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?118563-Russophobia-why-do-so-many-people-in-the-west-hate-and-fear-Russia)

:focus:

[Jaak]

Did you bother to watch the video ? Was there anything untruthful in it ?
NFKRZ is Russian but true , he aint a fan of Putin and mainly talks about things in there he does not like or agree with .
I post similar things about Trump/USA , EU and England way more than i do about Russia so i guess i have more phobias than one ...
I do find it interesting that Russia is cranking up on internet censorship and made their own form of ¨digital ID¨ that they are pushing for the public just like it is happening in UK and EU .


Max Messenger App
MAX is a Russian messaging application developed by VK, released in 2025, and currently in its beta-testing stage as of July 2025.
It is designed as a "superapp" similar to China's WeChat, integrating messaging with a wide range of services including electronic government services (Gosuslugi), digital identity verification, electronic signatures, and mobile payments via the Bank of Russia's Fast Payment System (FPS).
The app is managed by "Communication Platform" LLC, a subsidiary of VK.
Registration requires a valid mobile phone number, and the use of virtual or substitute numbers is not permitted.

The app is being positioned as a national digital platform, with plans for it to be pre-installed on all officially released mobile devices in Russia starting 1 September 2025, following the publication of a federal law on 24 June 2025.
This move is part of a broader government initiative to achieve "digital sovereignty" and reduce reliance on foreign technology.
The Kremlin has also announced plans to ban foreign messaging platforms like WhatsApp, which is currently used by over 70% of the Russian population, with officials urging citizens to prepare for the transition.

As of June 2025, the app had 1 million user accounts, and by July 2025, the number of registered users had exceeded 2 million.
The app features personal and group chats, voice and video calls, file transfers up to 4 gigabytes, stickers, emoji, tools for creating chatbots and mini-applications, and integrates VK's GigaChat neural network.
It is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, as well as a web application (web.max.ru) and a desktop client.

Despite its features, MAX has faced significant criticism regarding user privacy and security. Reports indicate the app collects and stores user metadata, including IP addresses, contact lists, and activity timestamps, with its privacy policy allowing potential data transfer to third parties, including state authorities.
Security researchers have also documented social-engineering attacks where impersonators trick users into revealing SMS verification codes to gain unauthorized access to government service accounts.
Furthermore, the app incorporates open-source libraries from countries designated as "unfriendly" by Russia, and some telemetry data is routed to foreign servers, raising concerns about surveillance and data security.

[Bill Ryan]

Dear Friends, here's an extraordinary (and developing) story which I do think belongs here, because it's all about Russian character, strength and resolve. (@Jaak, this is to a great extent what this thread is about.)

Russian mountaineers are the toughest in the world, equaled only by their Polish cousins. I posted this story on the All Sports thread (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?p=1445897#post1445897) back in 2021, and was so captured and astonished by it that I asked Mashika (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?45714-Mashika) to please check the translation.

It was the briefest account of an extraordinary, and extraordinarily moving, high drama on a huge, dangerous mountain in the Tien Shan range called Khan Tengri, where a woman called Natasha flatly refused to leave her husband and mountaineering partner Sergei, who had had a stroke.

Here's the radio transcript. Do take a moment to read this. It may be impossible not to be greatly moved. :flower:

~~~

Base: What is your current location?
Natasha: Just below the summit. We are above 6800m.
Base: How is he at this time?
Natasha: He can't stand, he's lying on his side, he's very confused and he can't speak clearly.
...
Base: Natasha, please reply.
Natasha: I can hear you.
Base: Help is coming your way, but they're nowhere near you yet. They're not going to be there until the morning. Natasha, you need to come down, there is nothing you can do to help him. Will you do that? Over.
Natasha: I will not leave him.
...
Base: Natasha, this is the doctor calling you, can you hear me?
Natasha: Yes, I hear you.
Base: Natasha, do you have children?
Natasha: Yes, we have a baby.
Base: You have to think about your baby. If you stay there through the night, he may be left without either of you. Can you understand me?
Natasha: I understand everything. But I will not leave him.
...
Base: Natasha, are you there?
Natasha: I'm listening.
Base: You need to go down, the weather is turning bad and soon it will be night.
Natasha: I will not leave my husband. He can't take care of himself. I'm giving him water.
Base: Will you stay there with him during the night?
Natasha: Yes.
Base: You need to dig a snow hole and shelter inside. Do not unclip from the rope. Don't fall asleep. Don't go to sleep. Keep moving all the time. Can you understand me?
Natasha: Yes, I understand everything.
...
(next morning)
Base: Natasha, it's us.
Natasha: I'm here.
Base: Could you build the snow hole and shelter?
Natasha: No, I could not, there is very little snow.
Base: Natasha, keep hanging in there. Help is on the way, but they're going slowly. Please keep waiting.
...
Base: This is base, please answer.
Natasha: I can hear you. My husband is very bad. He is starting to freeze because he can't move, and he is delirious now.
Base: Keep holding on, Natasha. Keep moving. Do not fall sleep. Keep on moving your legs.
Natasha: Yes.
...

6 a.m. August 9
Base record: The two were found on the North face. Both were alive. Natasha could descend, but her husband was not able to, and he could not be moved.
~~~

I never knew their full names, and never heard what happened after that. But I also never forgot the extraordinary radio exchange that was reported.

~~~

Now, the story has resurfaced, because Natasha (her full name Natasha Nagovitsyna) is herself in a desperate, life-threatening situation, stranded high on a mountain called Peak Podeba. She has a broken leg and cannot move, and the entire Russian mountaineering fraternity is mobilizing to try to rescue her, a daunting and near-impossible task.

What I'd not known was that after the incident on Khan Tengri (see the radio transcript above), Natasha became a national hero for her defiant refusal to leave her dying husband, in which she survived two nights out in the open in the bitter cold without any shelter, food or water. She became revered and greatly respected by even the toughest and strongest Russian climbers.

And there's a touching story which she later told in a documentary film that was made about her ordeal. She and Sergei often used to enjoy a drink of kvass, which I'd not heard of before. Here's fun web page (https://ancestralkitchen.com/2020/11/02/russian-bread-kvass-ancestral-cook-up-november-2020/) about it, in which it's compared to kefir or kombucha, a very mild alcoholic drink with a delicious fruity flavor.

Sergei's last dying words to Natasha, high on Khan Tengri, were:
I'd so much like a drink of kvass... One year after Sergei's death, Natasha climbed the mountain again, with two bottles of kvass and a brass plaque which she fixed to the mountain in Sergei's honor. She said:
I'm not saying goodbye, because he is always with me.
Here she is:

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Natasha_Nagovitsyna_1.png

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Natasha_Nagovitsyna_2.png

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Natasha_Nagovitsyna_3.png

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Natasha_Nagovitsyna_4.png

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Natasha_Nagovitsyna_5.png

... and opening a bottle of kvass:

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Natasha_Nagovitsyna_6.png

:heart::heart::heart::heart::heart:

But now, Natasha is in a truly desperate situation on Peak Pobeda. She's been alone on the mountain, with a broken leg, and has survived 7 days in a tent with no food, unable to move. Russia's strongest mountaineers have mobilized to try to rescue her. A team of eight of their very best will reach her in two more days, with medical supplies, food, spare clothing, and everything she may need. They'll certainly be able to get to her, hoping against hope that she's still alive.

But then they have to bring her down. And she cannot even walk. The terrain is extremely steep, difficult and dangerous. No-one has ever been rescued from Peak Pobeda from such a height — 7150 meters/ 23,450 ft, which is where she is.

Everyone in the Russian mountaineering community is praying for some kind of miracle. If anyone can rescue her successfully, her Russian colleagues can. If they somehow manage to do this, it'll be one of the most epic rescues (and most epic stories) in all of Russian climbing history.

:rose:

[Ravenlocke]

A 47-year-old Russian climber has been stranded for a week at an altitude of over 7,000 meters on Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan after breaking her leg during descent

Identified as Natalia, she’s been without food since August 12, according to Mash online outlet. Her partner gave first aid before heading down for help. Attempts by two foreign climbers to rescue her failed due to exhaustion and bad weather. She was wrapped in a sleeping bag and left in place

A helicopter rescue attempt also failed when turbulence forced a hard landing. Another mission is planned for Tuesday (Aug 19), weather permitting, but conditions remain grim with heavy snow and near-zero visibility. Drone footage shows Natalia alive inside a torn tent

Pobeda or Victory Peak is also known as Jengish Chokusu, standing at 7,439 meters (24,406 ft) above sea level – it’s the highest mountain in the Tian Shan mountain system in Central Asia and 16th most prominent peak on Earth

Natalia is no stranger to danger at altitude — four years ago, her husband was paralyzed on nearby Khan Tengri. She stayed with him until he died, only being evacuated herself. She later returned to place a memorial plaque in his honor

#VictoryPeak #PobedaPeak #JengishChokusu #Kyrgyzstan

https://x.com/re_flex_world/status/1957726567141941739

1957726567141941739

A Russian mountaineer with a broken leg has been stranded for a week on Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan.
For seven days, Russian mountaineer Natalya Nagovitsyna has been at an altitude of 7,200 meters near Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan. She broke her leg on the descent and was unable to continue.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Kyrgyzstan, rescue operations have been aborted twice due to severe weather, including heavy snowfall and zero visibility. One of the helicopters made a hard landing, and the rescuers themselves needed assistance.
Drone footage shows the mountaineer is alive and located in a damaged tent. She has almost no water and no food. Her climbing partner administered first aid and went for help, while foreign climbers who tried to evacuate Nagovitsyna only managed to wrap her in a sleeping bag and leave her at the site.
The situation is complicated by the fact that several mountaineers have recently died in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, including Russians Nikolai Totmyanin and Alexey Yermakov. Previously, in 2020, during an ascent of Khan Tengri, Nagovitsyna's husband suffered a stroke and died on the mountain at an altitude of about 6,900 meters. Rescuers offered to bring Natalya down without her husband, but she refused. She later returned to the summit and placed a memorial plaque there in his honor.
Photo: social media

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1957826746469802377

1957826746469802377

[Ravenlocke]

From SOTA,

Eight rescuers have been dispatched to search for a Russian woman on Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan.

A group of eight rescuers has been sent to Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan to search for Russian mountaineer Natalya Nagovitsyna. The athlete has a broken leg and is located at an altitude of 7,200 m, TASS reports, citing a source in the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations.

According to the agency's source, the rescuers have almost reached the 5,000 m mark. The evacuation of the injured woman will take at least 6–8 days. The operation is complicated by severe weather conditions in the area of the peak. The group includes mountaineers from the Kyrgyz company "Ak-Sai Travel."

We previously reported that a Russian mountaineer with a broken leg has been waiting for help for a week at an altitude of 7,200 m. Her situation is exacerbated by the lack of food and water, as well as bad weather, which is disrupting rescue operations.

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1958176785591398479

1958176785591398479

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/meduza_en/status/1957897612054442385

1957897612054442385

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/08/19/kyrgyzstan-s-mountains-turn-deadly

Kyrgyzstan’s mountains turn deadly Russian climber is stranded in Kyrgyzstan with broken leg and no food as weather thwarts rescue attempts

Meduza11:27 am, August 19, 2025

47-year-old Russian mountain climber Natalia Nagovitsina is stranded on Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan, the highest point in the Tian Shan range, after breaking her leg. She reportedly has little to no food and water, and weather conditions have hampered multiple rescue attempts. Nagovitsina’s husband died on a different mountain in Kyrgyzstan in 2021 during a climbing trip with her. The next rescue attempt is scheduled for August 20. Here’s what we know about the situation.

Natalia Nagovitsina, a 47-year-old Russian mountain climber, broke her leg while descending from the 7,439-meter (24,400-foot) Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan. She has been stranded at 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) for a week, according to two Telegram channels close to the Russian security services.

The channels’ sources report that Nagovitsina has little to no food and water. Kyrgyzstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry and Defense Ministry have confirmed that rescue efforts are underway, but poor weather is hampering the operation.

https://meduza.io/impro/kgBuJSM9EnJ-gDKX21oVQgksT2ISPYHruDZGHl7gq0U/resizing_type:fit/width:1960/height:0/enlarge:1/quality:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWR1/emEuaW8vaW1hZ2Uv/YXR0YWNobWVudHMv/aW1hZ2VzLzAxMS81/NTMvNzE1L29yaWdp/bmFsL2ROa3VxSGhh/aHJ6M2pJWHM2bE50/T2c.webp
According to Telegram channels and other media reports, Nagovitsina was injured on August 12. Her climbing partner administered first aid before going to base camp for help. The following day, two foreign climbers attempted to evacuate her, “but it didn’t work — fatigue and poor weather prevented it,” the channel Mash reported. The climbers reached her and wrapped her in a sleeping bag but were forced to leave her on the mountain.

Mash released drone footage of Pobeda Peak, though it’s unclear when it was recorded. The video shows a torn tent. According to the channel, rescuers concluded from the footage that Nagovitsina is alive and inside the tent.

The Defense Ministry’s press service said the drone spotted the climber at 7,200 meters (23,622 feet). “She is alive and has been in high-altitude conditions for seven days. Preparations are underway for a rescue operation to transport her,” ministry spokesperson Almaz Sarbanov told Interfax. He added that two Defense Ministry helicopters are ready to fly to the site, but deploying aircraft is currently impossible due to heavy snowfall and low visibility.

A source at Kyrgyzstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry told REN TV that rescuers last attempted to reach Pobeda Peak on August 16 using a Defense Ministry helicopter. Due to the weather, the helicopter made a hard landing, injuring the pilot and rescuers from a private tourist company. A second helicopter was needed to evacuate them, and the injured were taken to a hospital.

Kyrgyzstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry said the next attempt to rescue Nagovitsina is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20.

Nagovitsina’s son, Mikhail, told REN TV about his parents’ hobby of climbing. His father, Sergey Nagovitsin, died on another peak in Kyrgyzstan, Khan Tengri, in 2021.

According to the Telegram channel 112, Sergey suffered a stroke at an elevation of 6,900 meters (22,637 feet). Despite rescuers’ pleas, Natalia, who was accompanying her husband, refused to leave him on the mountain and descend alone. Sergey died, while Natalia was rescued. A year later, she returned to the mountain and placed a memorial plaque in his honor. Filmmaker Dmitry Sinitsyn later made a documentary about the couple’s story titled “To Stay With Khan Tengri.”

The Kyrgyzstani Defense Ministry reported that several climbers have been injured or killed in recent days in the country’s mountains. A German and a Russian climber were injured while descending a peak, and an Italian climber died. The exact dates were not specified, but the injured climbers and the body of the deceased were also supposed to be evacuated by the helicopter that made the hard landing on August 16. The climbers’ names were not disclosed.

Additionally, on August 11 in Bishkek, Nikolai Totmyanin, a Russian climber and captain of the Russian national climbing team, died after summiting Pobeda Peak. On August 16, Russian climber Alexey Yermakov died on Khan Tengri at 6,800 meters (19,000 feet).

[Bill Ryan]

I really appreciate all the detailed updates. :flower: This new incident had quite an emotional effect on me, having been so struck by her heroic 2021 experience in which in desperate, freezing, exposed conditions high on the mountain she flatly refused to leave her dying husband until the very end.


Fthe rescuers have almost reached the 5,000 m mark. The evacuation of the injured woman will take at least 6–8 days. With fortune on their side, they may well reach her by the end of tomorrow. If it's humanly possible, they will do it.

The long, difficult and dangerous descent, if they and she all survive, will be one of the most celebrated in all of Russian mountaineering history. But the rescue team will have everything necessary to take care of her and safeguard the descent. In many stages of that, she'll have to be lowered carefully and slowly as if she were a dead weight — which is why it may take them 6-8 days.

Natalya ('Natasha' to everyone who knows her) is immensely strong, and once the rescuers reach her that alone will surely be enough to keep her alive through the week-long ordeal to follow. One of the many very negative aspects of the situation she's in is that she has no radio and does not know that rescue is on its way. So in many respects, the next 24 hours is absolutely critical.

[Ravenlocke]

:candle:I hope they save her, too. And I hope her son will see his mother again..:candle::rose:

[Ravenlocke]

Translated text:
"Alone at an altitude of seven thousand one hundred meters with a broken leg and no communication" — the relatives of mountaineer Nagovitsyna, stranded on Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan, are not losing hope for her return. Authorities are preparing a rescue operation. RIA Novosti investigated the situation

https://ria.ru/20250820/proisshestviya-2036549727.html

https://x.com/rianru/status/1958199444614119540

1958199444614119540

[Ravenlocke]

Translated text:

Rumors of death are speculation": rescuers are making their way to the Russian mountaineer

https://rsport.ria.ru/20250821/alpinizm-2036657786.html?in=l

https://x.com/rsportru/status/1958443728265200043

1958443728265200043

[Ravenlocke]

Translated text:

The Mountaineering Federation called the situation with the Russian climber in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan hopeless

A group of four climbers has already set out to help Natalia Nagovitsyna. Their journey will take at least 3-5 days.

Source: "KP" website // Photo: social media
#news #kyrgyzstan

https://x.com/kpru/status/1958167915619836042

1958167915619836042

RT Russian,

The operation to rescue Russian woman Natalia Nagovitsyna, who broke her leg eight days ago on Peak Pobeda in Kyrgyzstan, may take a week. The situation is complicated by bad weather https://ru.rt.com/wnu7

https://x.com/RT_russian/status/1958225221443362861

1958225221443362861


Two attempts at rescue have already failed, she has run out of food, and she only has a little water left with her.

https://x.com/24ur_com/status/1958091474177851634

1958091474177851634

[Bill Ryan]

Translated text:

The Mountaineering Federation called the situation with the Russian climber in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan hopeless.

That's not quite correct (about what was said), but I am fearing now it may indeed be close to hopeless.

The story is all over the Russian media. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has even made a statement (https://www-rbc-ru.translate.goog/rbcfreenews/68a615e29a79475130b6b961?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc) about the situation.

What Eduard Kubatov, President of the Kyrgyz Federation of Mountaineering and Sport Climbing, actually said was this:
"The probability of Russian mountaineer Natalia Nagovitsyna being rescued from Pobeda Peak does not exceed 10%. I would very much like her to survive, but understand, she has been at an altitude of seven thousand meters for nine days already. Every day at this altitude the body dies by 10-12% from exhaustion, from oxygen deficiency. I believe that she is at the limit of her physical and vital capabilities," Kubatov said in a conversation with RIA Novosti (https://ria.ru). Also reported (https://newkuban-ru.translate.goog/news/210884708/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc) was this: :flower:
Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsyna, who has been on Pobeda Peak for nine days with a serious leg injury, has stopped showing signs of life, but the rescue operation is still ongoing. The unique complexity of the terrain and extreme weather conditions make evacuation attempts unprecedentedly dangerous and require exceptional measures.

The rescue team faced enormous difficulties: an altitude of over 7,000 meters, temperatures below minus 23 degrees, snowstorms and the risk of fatal falls into the abyss. An assessment of the last drone flight on August 19 showed that Nagovitsyna was still showing signs of life, but by August 20 she was already motionless, which worsens the chances of a successful rescue.
~~~

I posted above (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?122026-Life-in-Russia&p=1681674&viewfull=1#post1681674) that when Natasha returned to climb Khan Tengri in 2022, with two bottles of kvass and a brass plaque to honor her husband Sergei, she had said:
I'm not saying goodbye, because he is always with me.
It has to be possible that after abandoning hope herself she has consciously decided to join him.

:heart2:

[Ravenlocke]

Hi Bill,

This song has been playing in my head all morning after reading your post. Maybe it is just me but the words, “Say it loud say it clear, you can listen as well as you hear” keep playing. I love this song for what it means here is a version of it.:heart2:

z8mPS0-2Xq8

[Ravenlocke]

Mission to Save Natalia Nagovitsyna on Pobeda Peak ‘Hopeless,’ Say Russian Authorities

Rescuers are on their way. They progressed today:

https://x.com/KrisAnnapurna/status/1958634597870080375

1958634597870080375

https://explorersweb.com/natalia-nagovitsyna-pobeda-peak/

Mission to Save Natalia Nagovitsyna on Pobeda Peak ‘Hopeless,’ Say Russian Authorities

The race to save Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsyna, stranded at 7,150m on Kyrgyzstan’s 7,439m Pobeda Peak with a broken leg, grows desperate.

For nine days, the 47-year-old Moscow climber has endured subzero temperatures. She is running or has run out of food, water, and fuel, and is lying in a torn tent in a sleeping bag in one of the world’s deadliest high-altitude environments. She has no communication device.

A four-person rescue team, dispatched by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Defense on August 20, reached Camp 2 yesterday and 5,800m today, according to Anna Piunova of Mountain.ru. Tomorrow, weather permitting, they will continue up to 6,400m.

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_5624-1.jpg

The route that the rescuers are currently ascending. Photo: Anna Piunova/Mountain.ru

Increasing pessimism

The Russian Mountaineering Federation issued stark warnings today about the slim odds that Nagovitsyna can survive. Vice-President Alexander Pyatnitsyn said, “It will be almost impossible to save her,” he said. “There’s a three-kilometer-long ridge, and it takes at least 30 people in such a situation to rescue a person from there.”

Elena Laletina from RussianClimb echoed the same thoughts to ExplorersWeb: that four or even eight rescuers aren’t enough to carry out such a difficult rescue, where Nagovitsyna is immobilized and can’t assist.

Alexander Yakovenko of the Russian Mountaineering Federation told Izvestia, “Today, four people are trying to get there. There’s an avalanche hazard, a big challenge. There is a small chance they will make it. But that means three, four, maybe five more days.”

Yakovenko added that the rescuers themselves risk being caught in an avalanche, underscoring the perilous conditions on the mountain. Yakovenko even went so far as to describe the situation as “hopeless.”

“If she’s alive, I’ll believe in a miracle,” he told Pravda Greece. “If she is saved, then I will believe in a miracle twice over.”

A long way

One of the closest starting points for climbing Pobeda Peak is the South Inylchek camp, located 3.5 vertical kilometers below. The distance between base camp and the summit is an astonishing 12km.

The process is further complicated by unfavorable weather, and the terrain where the Russian woman is stranded makes it difficult to bring her down. Her tent lies in the same spot where climber Mikhail Ishutin died 10 years ago. His body has still not been retrieved. Even in ideal weather, specialists would need at least two days to bring the stranded woman down.

To ascend Pobeda from Base Camp to summit usually takes 5-10 days, or 5-7 days for experienced, well-acclimatized climbers, if the weather is not bad. The descent typically takes 2-4 days. Since Nagovitsyna is at around 7,150m, rescuers could reach her before the weekend.

Nagovitsyna came to Pobeda, also known as Jengish Chokusu, to pursue the Snow Leopard title. This old honor is bestowed on those who’ve climbed all five 7,000m peaks in the former USSR. By reputation, Pobeda is the hardest, and it marked her fifth summit. But on her way down on August 12, she slipped and fractured her leg. Her climbing partner, Roman, provided first aid, secured her in a tent, then descended to base camp to seek help.

On August 13, Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia and a German mountaineer named Gunther (no last name provided) reached her, delivering a sleeping bag, stove, and gas canister — supplies critical for her survival. Tragically, on August 16, Sinigaglia died on his way down. His body is now resting in a cave at 6,900m. Gunther, exhausted and battling worsening weather, also retreated, unable to carry Nagovitsyna by himself across the treacherous terrain.

Complicated rescue

The three-kilometer-long ridge at 7,000–7,400m on Pobeda demands fixed ropes, anchors, and a stretcher to carry an immobilized climber. This, in turn, requires multiple climbers to rotate duties and manage fatigue. The thin air, -20°C temperatures, and strong winds exacerbate exhaustion and altitude risks. Meanwhile, a large team is needed to share the heavy gear — ropes, medical supplies, food, and gas. Safety backups are critical, as avalanches or injured rescuers could derail the mission. The four-person team, described as insufficient by experts, faces a near-impossible task, with progress slowed by snowstorms and poor visibility.

Pobeda Peak’s reputation as the deadliest 7,000m peak in the former USSR is well-earned, with at least 70 recorded deaths. No injured climber has ever been evacuated from as high an altitude as Nagovitsyna’s on this mountain.

On August 16, a Russian Ministry of Defense Mi-8 helicopter crashed at 4,600m, injuring the pilot and a rescuer, while a second attempt failed due to zero visibility. On August 19–20, helicopters evacuated 62 climbers, tourists, and rescuers, including the body of Russian climber Alexey Yermakov, who died near Khan Tengri. Nagovitsyna’s extreme altitude and immobility forced them to concentrate on more accessible parties in distress.

No news on Nagovitsyna

A drone flyover on August 19 confirmed she was alive, but unconfirmed reports on August 20-21 suggested that Nagovitsyna is no longer showing signs of life.

However, according to Kyrgyzstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry, quoted by Pravda, no one can confirm Nagovitsyna’s current status until rescuers reach her, which is estimated to be August 24-25.

Nagovitsyna’s chances of surviving beyond 10–12 days are slim due to extreme cold, thirst, and thin air. Nevertheless, rescuers continue to race to her, battling harsh weather and treacherous terrain in the faint hope of saving her life.

Nagovitsyna’s son and her sister, in particular, cling to hope.

[Ravenlocke]

Rescue efforts for Natalia Nagovitsyna, stranded for 10 days at 7,150m on Pobeda Peak, were called off today as winds intensified and snow closed in.

https://x.com/ExplorersWeb/status/1958982049483587934

1958982049483587934

https://explorersweb.com/pobeda-peak-rescue-called-off/


Tragedy on Pobeda Peak: Rescue Called Off as Weather Worsens


Rescue efforts for Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsyna, who has been stranded for 10 days at 7,150m on Pobeda Peak with a broken leg, were called off today as winds intensified and snow closed in.

The four rescuers descended to Camp 1, according to Anna Piunova of Mountain.ru. They had wanted to progress up to 6,400m today and also to search for the body of Luca Sinigaglia of Italy. He died on August 16 after trying to rescue Nagovitsyna.

But bad weather had the last word, and they had to descend, ending the rescue mission. The weather also canceled a planned helicopter flight with Italian pilots. Forecasts show poor conditions through August 23–24. Rescuers may begin a further attempt on August 25, but Nagovitsyna has already been stranded for 10 days above 7,000m, injured. Her few supplies have run out by now, and even today, there is not much hope of finding her alive.

The rescue team of Vitaly Akimov, Andrey Alipov, Sergey Krasovsky, and Andrey Novikov has been racing since August 20 to reach Nagovitsyna. The leader, Akimov, already has an injury he sustained during an early attempt to rescue Nagovitsyna on August 16, according to Elena Laletina of RussianClimb.

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_5691.jpg

Natalia Nagovitsyna at the Moscow Marathon in 2024. Photo: Natalia Nagovitsyna/Instagram

Inexperienced guide

Nagovitsyna, a 47-year-old Muscovite, was a commercial client, led by a guide named Roman, according to Life.ru. No one knew him at base camp, suggesting that he might have been unfamiliar with Pobeda’s deadly routes. During their descent on August 12, Nagovitsyna fell at the dangerous Black Rock section, breaking her leg while belaying Roman from above.

Friends called this situation “absurd,” arguing that a client shouldn’t belay an inexperienced guide.

“This mountain doesn’t forgive such mistakes,” said Denis Kiselev, a rescuer and instructor at the Central School of Mountaineering Instructors.

Nagovitsyna climbed despite an earlier leg fracture from a hike a year and a half ago. Her late husband, Sergey, who died of a stroke on Khan Tengri in 2021 as she stayed by his side, had warned her against Pobeda, citing its extreme physical demands. According to some sources, Luca Sinigaglia met the Russian couple at Khan Tengri in 2021, and they became friends.

Boris Dedeshko, a five-time Kazakh mountaineering champion, told KP.ru that in 2024, Nagovitsyna tried Pobeda, but her guide turned her back because she was unprepared. But a friend, Lia Popova, said she had trained hard for the Snow Leopard badge. Pobeda was her fifth 7,000m peak; she had only two left after this one.

She joined the expedition as the only woman in a mixed group. Life.ru notes Nagovitsyna’s insurance may not cover the $60,000 rescue cost, potentially leaving her 27-year-old son to cover much of the bill.

[Bill Ryan]

Rescue efforts for Natalia Nagovitsyna, stranded for 10 days at 7,150m on Pobeda Peak, were called off today as winds intensified and snow closed in.



The rescuers have almost reached the 5,000 m mark. The evacuation of the injured woman will take at least 6–8 days. With fortune on their side, they may well reach her by the end of tomorrow. If it's humanly possible, they will do it.But sadly, it was not humanly possible. The weather turned treacherous, and the rescue team had to retreat.

So Natasha has certainly died, all alone in her tent. It's an almost Shakespearean tale. The whole tragedy has been huge news all over Russia, the reason why the escalating drama has been shared on this thread.

The terrible irony was that in 2021, high on Khan Tengri, she had flatly refused to leave her dying husband when everyone at base camp was imploring her to abandon him and save herself. She endured two exposed nights on the mountain, without shelter, food or drink, just holding his hand until very near the end. It was selfless heroism of the very highest order.

So the karmic laws, whatever they are, in the end betrayed her. After all she had done for her dying husband, she had no-one there to hold her hand or comfort her as she lay freezing with a broken leg, knowing she would likely now die herself. It was this that compelled me to follow the story so closely, and I confess it affected me a very great deal.

:rose:

[Harmony]

Bill, what if they were so close that her husband, Sergey, was indeed with her as she slipped into the next realm, hand in hand, toghether once more. There are many OBE's where such things happen.:heart:

[Ravenlocke]

Hi Bill,

I am so sorry to have been the bearer of such sad news……

To be honest when you first brought this lady’s plight to our attention for some reason I remembered Margarita Simonyan and her plight dealing with herself after her husband had a heart attack and went into a coma last year.

I don't know if this helps shed any light on how this lady mountaineer felt about her husband but here goes,

From Margarita Simonyan,

After it happened I did not want to live.

Meeting God is not terrifying, what happens here is.

Then I realized that no one is owed being the happiest person in the world, which I was. There was a time for joy, now is the time to pay off debts.

I carry on because I am obligated to my children, to my relatives, and, however pompous it sounds - to my country.

Doctors say Tigran's recovery is beyond their powers alone.

I ask you to pray for him.

https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1913985139815981547

1913985139815981547

The most difficult interview I have done in my life.

Last December, Tigran, my husband, and the father of my children, suffered a heart attack and fell into a coma.

This is the first time I've tried to speak about it in public.


https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1913975255460102318

1913975255460102318

[Ravenlocke]

From Bill,

“The terrible irony was that in 2021, high on Khan Tengri, she had flatly refused to leave her dying husband when everyone at base camp was imploring her to abandon him and save herself. She endured two exposed nights on the mountain, without shelter, food or drink, just holding his hand until very near the end. It was selfless heroism of the very highest order.”

From me looking in from the outside, I think she would have died with him if she could have but it wasn't meant to be her time then.

Also I kinda understand why this has struck you so hard because didn't you have a previous life where you died in your early twenties, on a mountaineering expedition along with a fellow friend/ mountaineer, and your grandma in that lifetime, always kept hoping they would find you some day but that day came too late for her?

Sorry I hope Im not being too insensitive.

[Ravenlocke]

From Sota news,

Russian Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin has instructed the Investigative Committee, in cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), to assist in the rescue of climber Natalya Nagovitsyna. Nagovitsyna is stranded on the summit of Pobeda Peak in Kyrgyzstan. Her son had requested assistance from the Investigative Committee.

Bastrykin has ordered the central office of the committee to "immediately contact" EMERCOM to organize the rescue effort. According to the statement, an operational report on the matter will be submitted to the head of the Investigative Committee.

It was previously reported that the last attempt to rescue Nagovitsyna, who broke her leg at an altitude of over 7,000 meters, had failed in Kyrgyzstan. Due to poor weather, it was impossible to use a drone or an Airbus Helicopters H125 helicopter. The search has been suspended until next year.

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1960309413761188302

1960309413761188302


In Kyrgyzstan, Climber Nagovitsyna's Body Can Only Be Recovered in the Spring

The last attempt to rescue Russian climber Natalya Nagovitsyna, who broke her leg at an altitude of over 7,000 meters on Pobeda Peak, has failed in Kyrgyzstan. On August 25, the Ministry of Emergency Situations planned to use a drone to check for signs of life and then deploy a light Airbus Helicopters H125.

However, the weather "window" never opened. "Today, the helicopter was returned to its permanent base," said Adil Charginov, a representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan. The Italian pilots with high-altitude experience who arrived to help are now returning home.

Nagovitsyna was stuck in a "lethal adaptation" zone, and her chances of survival were considered minimal. The search has been suspended until next year, and the body will not be able to be recovered until spring.

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1960006851681980838

1960006851681980838

[Ravenlocke]

In Anapa, the cleanup of fuel oil from the bottom of the Black Sea continues.

In the last few days alone—from August 13 to August 24—2,022 bags were collected, according to the Operational Headquarters.

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1960027244312903760

1960027244312903760

[Ravenlocke]

From RT,
5.5-magnitude tremor in the Caspian Sea reportedly felt in Azerbaijan, Iran, Georgia, Armenia & Kazakhstan

Cracks in buildings in Makhachkala and Kaspiysk — hundreds spent the night on the streets fearing aftershocks

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1960624633830617569

1960624633830617569

Sota News,

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake has occurred off the coast of Dagestan.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 was recorded in the Caspian Sea, 41 km northwest of Derbent. The epicenter was at a depth of 12 km.

Tremors were felt in Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Derbent, and other cities. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, there have been no casualties or damage.

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1960652901736468872

1960652901736468872

[Ravenlocke]

Sota News,

Russia Transfers €13M to Latvia for Pensions

Russia has transferred €12.9 million to the Latvian treasury for the payment of pensions and benefits to Russian citizens residing in the country, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. The funds were received for the first three quarters of 2025.

The Latvian Ministry of Welfare specified that they are awaiting an updated list of pensioners from the Russian side. Payments are made under the social security agreement that has been in effect since 2011.

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1960468301940973748

1960468301940973748


Leta News,

Russia transfers EUR 13 million to Latvian State Treasury for payment of pensions and benefits to Russian citizens in Latvia https://leta.lv/eng/home/important/A57CE70C-1349-4B3B-9F17-

https://x.com/letanewsen/status/1960273902212350117

1960273902212350117

[Ravenlocke]

From Sota News,
Russia has published a book by the former head of Hamas's armed wing, Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7 terrorist attack.
The book, titled "How to Defeat Israel: Thorns and Roses of the Middle East" by Yahya Sinwar, the former head of Hamas's radical armed wing who was killed by the Israeli army, has appeared in bookstores and on marketplaces in Russia.

As noted by Facebook user Ilana Roz, the book is being sold, specifically at the "Dom Knigi" (House of Books) in St. Petersburg. It can also be found on marketplaces, such as Ozon, where it is listed in the "New Releases" section and is already completely sold out. The book was published by Rodina publishing house and costs about 1,000 rubles.

The description for the Russian edition states that the author is "one of the most outstanding Arab military leaders of the new century" who "prepared the 'Al-Aqsa Flood' operation and led the defense of the Gaza Strip in 2023-2024."

The "Al-Aqsa Flood" is the name for the terrorist attack planned by Hamas and carried out on October 7, which resulted in the brutal murder of 1,200 civilians (including women, children, and the elderly), with another 253 Israelis taken hostage (some of whom were also later killed).
It is worth noting that Russia does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization. The country has established diplomatic relations with the leadership of the Gaza Strip.

https://x.com/sotanews/status/1960945527270351173

1960945527270351173

[Ravenlocke]

Russia has discovered the biggest oil field in history in the Antarctic Weddell Sea, a field is estimated to hold 511 billion barrels, double Saudi Arabia's reserves & more than 10 times North Sea output for 50 years. It's a game changer for global energy.

https://x.com/PeterDClack/status/1960889548021567502

1960889548021567502

https://indiandefencereview.com/russia-uncovers-511-billion-barrels-of-oil-beneath-antarctica-a-find-that-could-end-the-continents-era-of-peaceful-use/

Russia Uncovers 511 Billion Barrels of Oil Beneath Antarctica: A Find That Could End the Continent’s Era of Peaceful Use

The 511 billion barrels reported is nearly double Saudi Arabia’s proven reserves and more than ten times the North Sea’s output over the last 50 years.

August 26, 2025

Russia’s reported discovery of 511 billion barrels of oil beneath the Antarctic seabed is quickly becoming a geopolitical flashpoint. According to documents presented to the UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee and detailed by Newsweek, Russian research ships located the massive oil reserve in the Weddell Sea—an area claimed by the United Kingdom but also contested by Chile and Argentina.

This find—if confirmed—could reshape the global energy map and test the limits of international treaties that have kept Antarctica off-limits to resource exploitation for over six decades.

A Deposit Larger Than Saudi Arabia’s Known Reserves

At the heart of the controversy is the scale of the discovery. The 511 billion barrels reported is nearly double Saudi Arabia’s proven reserves and more than ten times the North Sea’s output over the last 50 years. This isn’t a minor find—it’s one of the largest oil reserves ever reported anywhere on Earth.

The discovery was made during recent expeditions by Russian research vessels operating in the Weddell Sea. While the stated purpose of these missions was scientific, officials and analysts in the UK and elsewhere are raising concerns that Russia is using research as a cover for resource prospecting—a move that would violate the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which bans mineral and oil extraction.

Antarctic Treaty Under Strain as Tensions Grow

The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and now backed by 54 countries, designates the continent as a zone dedicated to peace and science, banning military activity and commercial resource extraction. Yet Russia’s activities have cast doubt on the treaty’s enforcement and relevance in a new era of geopolitical rivalry.

During a session of the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee, Professor Klaus Dodds, a specialist in geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London, warned that Russia’s data collection could be “construed to be prospecting rather than scientific research.” He added that this might be the early phase of “forthcoming resource extraction.”

Dodds also linked Russia’s Antarctic strategy to broader international tensions, especially after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “There is widespread concern that Moscow’s worsening relationship with the West will spark strategic competition between countries that will be ever more explicit in Antarctica,” he said.

Russia Denies Mining Intent, but Seismic Data Raises Eyebrows

Russian officials insist their missions are in compliance with the Antarctic Treaty. According to a statement relayed to the committee by UK Foreign Office minister David Rutley, Russia has “repeatedly given assurances that its surveying is purely for scientific purposes.” The Russian government maintains that it has taken no steps toward exploiting the oil reserve.

But experts remain skeptical, pointing to the nature of the seismic studies conducted by Russian teams. These surveys, often used in petroleum exploration, map underground structures in detail—raising legitimate questions about their intended use.

Notably, seismic data acquisition—while not explicitly banned by the treaty—has historically been limited to scientific endeavors. When the collected data begins to align with known petroleum-rich geological formations, it becomes difficult to argue that there is no commercial intent.

A New Front in Global Resource Competition

The report comes at a time when major powers are quietly increasing their presence on the southern continent. Russia has established five research stations in Antarctica since 1957. China, another major player in the region, has opened its fifth Antarctic base in recent years.

Both nations have also blocked Western-backed proposals to expand marine protected areas in Antarctica, most notably in 2022, reinforcing fears that environmental protections are giving way to strategic interests.

This power dynamic signals a shift. As Arctic and offshore reserves decline and pressure grows on energy markets, previously untapped areas like Antarctica are attracting more attention—not just for oil, but also for natural gas, rare earth elements, and future strategic leverage.

A Legal and Diplomatic Challenge With No Clear Solution

Legally, the situation is complicated by overlapping territorial claims. The United Kingdom asserts sovereignty over the British Antarctic Territory, including the Weddell Sea, but Argentina and Chile also claim the region. Most countries—including the United States and Russia—do not recognize any Antarctic claims at all.

This makes enforcement of the treaty even more difficult. While Russia can’t legally extract oil under current international law, the treaty has no formal enforcement mechanism. Countries are expected to hold each other accountable, but in an increasingly fractured geopolitical climate, that’s proving harder to do.

“The real test,” says Dodds, “is whether the international community is willing to defend the treaty framework in the face of quiet but deliberate erosion.”



Reports of the above news started appearing last year , 2024

BREAKING:

Russia has found huge oil and natural gas reserves worth 511 billion barrels in Antarctica.

https://x.com/GlobeEyeNews/status/1797884654588227639

1797884654588227639


𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮

Russia has discovered huge oil reserves in British territory in Antarctica.

The reserves uncovered contain around 511 billion barrels worth of oil, equating to around 10 times the North Sea's output over the last 50 years.

Despite having no territorial claims in Antarctica, Russia, along with the U.S. and China, has been gradually escalating its presence in the region in recent years through various scientific campaigns, establishing five research stations in the territory since 1957.

Antarctica is governed by The Antarctic Treaty, first signed on December 1, 1959, which states that no single country owns the territory and designates the region as a continent devoted to peace and science, meaning all oil developments in the area are prohibited.


https://x.com/ShadowofEzra/status/1798182262044774526

1798182262044774526

[Ravenlocke]

In St. Petersburg Russia

Russian youth sing the famous song "Kitchens" in St. Petersburg


From Kirill A. Dmitriev,

Glimpse into Russia: Saint Petersburg singing spirit


https://x.com/kadmitriev/status/1962136267606405345

1962136267606405345

[Ravenlocke]

FM Sergey #Lavrov’s greetings to participants of the 17th #SpasskayaTower International Military Music Festival:

This year’s festival is dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory, to which military musicians contributed as well.

🔗 http://t.me/MFARussia/26080

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1958992355190579440

1958992355190579440

Text:

🗓 Today the #SpasskayaTower Festival kicked off in Moscow!

🎺 25 military orchestras, comprising 1’500+ musicians & conductors from 10 countries, take part in the festival on the #RedSquare, showing off their skills & filling it with music, in honour of this year's #Victory80.

https://x.com/Russia/status/1958993908194844687

1958993908194844687

Text:

African orchestras arrive in Moscow for annual Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival

Orchestras from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe have arrived in Moscow for the 17th Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival (22–31 August).

Aime Cesaire Ouedraogo, Director of Burkina Faso’s Presidential Orchestra, said: “It is a great honour… we believe it will be very beneficial for co-operation between Burkina Faso and Russia.”

Zemecha Bade of Ethiopia’s Defence Force Marching Band added: “We’ve been preparing for the past three months… we’ll show Ethiopian traditions.”

The annual festival on Red Square features military bands, guard of honour units, and folklore groups from around the world.

https://x.com/vioryvideo/status/1957833243144929416

1957833243144929416


🇪🇹🇷🇺🎶 High notes on Red Square!

The Ethiopian National Defence Force Orchestra wowed crowds in Moscow at the Spasskaya Tower Festival!

Despite a sudden downpour, their vibrant tunes on Red Square won warm applause.

#Ethiopia
#Russia

https://x.com/fanatelevision/status/1960271103307198545

1960271103307198545

From RT,

WATCH: Moscow closes Spasskaya Tower Music Festival with thunder — music, precision, and spectacle

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1962211481094684724

1962211481094684724

[Ravenlocke]

🚨⚡️ The Russian skater "Kamila Valieva" delivers a stunning performance on the ice in Beijing in front of thousands of her fans during the events of the "Made in Russia" exhibition.

https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1962107722968522956

1962107722968522956


Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva arrived in Beijing, immediately greeted by Chinese fans awaiting her at the airport. Her performance at 2022 Beijing Winter Olypmics won her many Chinese fans

Chinese fans call her K宝

https://x.com/CarlZha/status/1961761886997020862

1961761886997020862

[Bill Ryan]

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva arrived in Beijing, immediately greeted by Chinese fans awaiting her at the airport. Her performance at 2022 Beijing Winter Olypmics won her many Chinese fans

Do see Mashika (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/member.php?45714-Mashika)'s 2020 Avalon thread about Kamila Valieva here: :heart:


Kamila Valieva (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?112598-Kamila-Valieva)

[Ravenlocke]

From Russian Embassy in South Africa,

The 10th Eastern Economic Forum #EEF2025 opened today in Vladivostok, Sept 3–6, under the theme “The Far East: Cooperation for Peace and Prosperity.”

Over 4,500 participants from 70+ countries are expected, with President #Putin attending the plenary session on Sept 4–5.

https://x.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/1963259375826383130

1963259375826383130


From Pepe Escobar,

This was stunning, and quite moving. I was there, by the sea, at 10 in the morning, a ribbon of St. George procession uniting the military, young army members, volunteers, people from several republics, the real people-to-people opening of the Vladivostok forum.

https://x.com/RealPepeEscobar/status/1963206856937226371

1963206856937226371

From Sputnik Mundo,

Auto-translated by Grok
🇷🇺 The Eastern Economic Forum: the important platform for economic and investment cooperation opens its doors in Vladivostok

The main theme of this year's event is "The Far East: cooperation for peace and prosperity."

Representatives from more than 70 countries and territories have confirmed their participation in the forum held in the Russian city of Vladivostok, with the most representative delegations being those from Vietnam, India, China, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Sputnik immerses you in the atmosphere of this major event, in which the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, will also participate.

https://x.com/SputnikMundo/status/1963196443314852236

1963196443314852236


From RT,

Laos PM has arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for the Eastern Economic Forum, a key platform for strengthening cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1963163732067942611

1963163732067942611

[Ravenlocke]

From RT,

South Korean media wants to expand to Russia as it plays important role in region issues — CEO of Tongli News, Lee Kye Hwan, on Eastern Economic Forum, Vladivostok

They also hope Trump will be able to normalize relations on Korean peninsula

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1963207153839153480

1963207153839153480

[Ravenlocke]

From Russia’s Pivot to Asia,

Estonia's View Of Russia
Russia's Pivot To Asia is visiting Estonia and has had a few meals with long-standing local Estonian friends. The local viewpoint appears inconsistent with the governments views about Russia. As follows:
1) There is growing unease about the EU's apparent intent to 'go to war' with many feeling Russia is not a threat;
2) There are concerns about the cost to the local economy, in supporting a war that shouldn't involve Estonia, and especially after covid. Many local businesses are struggling while taxes are rising;
3) An overall ambience of feeling 'out of touch' with their own government and especially Brussels about how matters are being conducted with Russia.
4) There are concerns that local businesses - forestry, pig farming, agriculture and so on are being exploited by other EU nations large corporates by unnecessarily introducing new health standards on local products that price local producers out of markets;
5) There are concerns with the buying up of prime Estonian forests and lands by corporates from Sweden and Finland who then conduct their logging in Estonia to claim maximum eco benefits in their own countries, while denuding Estonian lands. Some islands have had their entire tree coverage felled.

That's the word on the street. Local Estonians are far from happy with how matters are progressing as regards their position in the EU and with the EU's position as concerns Russia. They feel used, and increasingly that Estonia is being taken away from them by non-Estonian, yet European corporates exploiting them. Comments were that protests may not be far off, and especially in winter is hard and energy costs increase. As one local said to us: "Our problem is that we are too nice. We don't protest against what is happening enough."

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1963225991616074190

1963225991616074190

[Ravenlocke]

From Russian Road,

Russia is a safe haven🇷🇺

Stevimir Ercegovac is the head of a large family. He and his wife have seven children. When they decided to move to Russia , their friend asked, "Are you crazy?" But it was a completely thoughtful decision, as Russia is a modern Noah's Ark of traditional family values.

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/1962409336774205919

1962409336774205919

[Ravenlocke]

From Sputnik,

🇷🇺📹 SPOTTED: Russian ballerinas gave a performance at the pavilion of Russia's PSB bank at the Eastern Economic Forum.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1963451705057825123

1963451705057825123

[Ravenlocke]

From Russia News,

🚨⚡️ Massive Faith Procession in Moscow:

More than 40,000 Orthodox Christians participated in a 6 km-long procession, starting from Christ the Savior Cathedral and ending at the Novodevichy Convent.

The procession was led by Patriarch Kirill, who emphasized faith, humility, and prayer for the Church and the Fatherland.

https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1964711583017320593

1964711583017320593

[Ravenlocke]

🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳

🇷🇺 “The Far East should have no outskirts,” stated Khabarovsk Krai Governor Dmitry Demeshin at the Eastern Economic Forum, underscoring a wave of major industrial and tourism initiatives for the region.

The headline investment is a ₽650 billion ($7.1 billion) mining and processing plant at the Milkan iron ore deposit, designed to produce over 54 million tons annually. According to Far East Development Minister Alexey Chekunkov, the project will deliver “not only direct investment and jobs, but the development of related industries and the strengthening of the country’s economic sovereignty.”

In a separate agreement, Russia’s state development bank VEB.RF and Khabarovsk Krai signed a ₽27 billion ($300 million) deal for tourism projects, including a financial center, the Khekhtsir sports and tourist complex, a friendship park, and a mountain resort. VEB.RF will provide financing and help attract investors.

These deals reflect President Vladimir Putin’s directive to extend uniform business incentives across the Russian Far East and Arctic, building on the success of Advanced Special Economic Zones, which have already attracted nearly ₽4 trillion ($45 billion) in investment and created 95,000 jobs.

Putin also launched several infrastructure projects via video link, including the Pacific Railway, a new international terminal at Khabarovsk Airport, an innovation center on Russky Island, and a hospital in Kamchatka. Together, these industrial, tourism, and infrastructure investments aim to stimulate growth, create employment, and ensure that “the Far East should have no outskirts.”

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1964489322977165747

1964489322977165747

[Ravenlocke]

🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳

🇷🇺 Russia’s Technological and Strategic Leap in Chukotka

The allocation of the first tranche of funding for the Baimsky Mining and Processing Plant (GOK) marks a cornerstone in Russia’s deliberate strategy to rebuild national productive power. A GOK, or mining and processing complex, is a facility where ore is extracted and refined on-site into valuable metals—a concentration of mining, processing, and technological capability. Reported to President Putin by VEB.RF head Igor Shuvalov, this move is part of a comprehensive “mining boom” unveiled at the Eastern Economic Forum, where new projects totaling over ₽1 trillion in investment were announced. It embodies the Hamiltonian principle that national credit and technological mastery must serve the nation’s long-term strength and economic sovereignty.

Baimsky GOK is the flagship of this endeavor. Located in the Chukotka Advanced Development Territory, its scale is unmatched. With over ₽1.1 trillion committed by VEB.RF and partners, the project demonstrates the indispensable role of state-directed investment in shaping national industry. When operational in 2029, it will increase Russia’s copper output by 25% and gold production by 4%, processing 70 million tons of ore annually to yield 400,000 tons of copper.

Its significance extends beyond mere output. Baimsky GOK is a technological spearhead, pioneering unmanned quarry equipment, full integration of the Internet of Things, and the first use of direct flotation technology in Russia’s copper industry. Powered by four floating nuclear units, it exemplifies the inseparable link between energy mastery and industrial sovereignty, a hallmark of strategic national development.

The project’s scope reaches far beyond the plant itself, driving critical infrastructure development: the port of Chaun, a year-round road, and over 400 km of 330 kV high-voltage lines connecting the deposit via Bilibino.

This is not an isolated project. It sits atop a national strategy, articulated by Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexey Chekunkov, to strengthen the Far East and the nation’s economic sovereignty. Alongside other state-guided investments—such as the ₽650 billion Milkan GOK in Khabarovsk Krai and Nordgold’s ₽80 billion Tokkinsky GOK in Yakutia—it forms a new industrial backbone, reshaping Russia’s productive landscape.

Baimsky GOK currently sustains over 2,000 jobs, with more than 6,000 additional positions during construction and operation. Yet its importance goes far beyond employment: it embodies a philosophy of national economic empowerment, demonstrating how vision, science, and state-directed action converge to shape a nation’s productive destiny. Baimsky GOK is not simply a mine; it is a strategic instrument of Russia’s industrial destiny, a beacon of what can be achieved when a nation harnesses both technology and credit to secure its long-term power.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1964559125490344037

1964559125490344037

Well spotted. Yes, truly impressive. In addition, Putin also mentioned the Udokan Copper project in the Trans-Baikal Territory, the Amur Gas Processing Plant, the Nakhodka Mineral Fertiliser plant, the Zvezda Shipbuilding complex in Primorye, and the Khabarovsk Hydrometallurgical plant. More here: https://russiaspivottoasia.com/putin-discusses-development-of-russian-far-east-content-analysis/

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1964708532995113106

1964708532995113106

[Ravenlocke]

🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳

🇷🇺 “The Arctic is the future of Russia, and it is right that it is being addressed at all levels of government. The long-term development of the Arctic and the Far East, both economically and through infrastructure projects, was the focus of Vladimir Putin’s speech, which served as the culmination of meticulous work by a group of officials and Arctic governors.”
— Marat Bashirov, professor at HSE and author of the Politjoystick analytical channel.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1964399953759060318

1964399953759060318

[Bill Ryan]

Do listen to (and watch!) this most beautiful song. :heart:

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/159916
DDGeopolitics/159916

Here's the translation of the lyrics — all about Mother Russia. It seems that such sentiments cannot go unpunished. :flower:

~~~
A wreath of wildflowers, a morning dew-drenched bloom
The nightingale's chirp, a sip of birch sap's perfume
To listen to the will of silence, down a forest path so deep
To chat at length with a birch tree, about love and dreams we keep

Mother Earth, white birch tree
To me — Holy Rus', to others — a thorn in the spree
Mother Earth, oh, white birch tree
To me — Holy Rus', to others — a thorn in the spree

How many years to ask the cuckoo, how many left to roam?
To divine my maiden's love upon a chamomile's dome?
Cold spring water’s freshness, honey fresh within the comb
In the darkened field at midnight, 'neath the stars my heart finds home

[Ravenlocke]

From RT,

Ukraine adds famous Russian singer Tatyana Kurtukova to extremist Myrotvorets (Peacemaker) list

Her crime? A great song going viral in the West

It's called ‘Matushka Zemlya’ — even Ukrainians danced to it

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1966421795336081838

1966421795336081838

Tatyana Kurtukova's song has become a real Russian folk anthem. Everyone has heard and knows the chorus - tens of thousands of guests of the TavridaART festival in #Crimea sang along with her.
“Mother Earth, white birch tree,
For me – Holy Rus', for others – a splinter”
#Russia❤️

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1817199362746765789

1817199362746765789

[Ravenlocke]

Intervision 2025 music festival

From RT,

Moscow held the draw of #INTERVISION music festival at National Centre RUSSIA
@gowithRussia


Participants from 23 countries

INTERVISION is a ‘dialogue between civilizations’ based on ‘national histories and traditions’ — Russian FM Lavrov

Final Sept 20

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1966599315121492099

1966599315121492099



MFA Russia,
🎤 The international #Intervision finals to take place on September 20.

Artists from 20+ countries will participate, including from #BRICS & #CIS nations, Latin America, Asia, & Africa.

🔊The participants’ musical tracks are available to listen to now: http://t.me/MFARussia/26385


https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1967214781385027998

1967214781385027998

From Belarus Inside,

The #Intervision music competition is taking over #TimesSquare! A promotional video for the show was featured on a giant screen in the heart of New York on 15 September. The gala show is this Saturday, with artists from 23 countries competing.
#NewYork #SHAMAN #MusicCompetition

https://x.com/BelarusInside/status/1967700825473790038

1967700825473790038

[Ravenlocke]

🇷🇺 Press conference at the Russian MFA Reception House!

🔥 Highlights from the preparation for Intervision'25:
🎥 36 cameras + AR tech at Live Arena
🤖 AI in the broadcast!
🎤 International hosts
🌍 4 BILLION viewers expected!
Which country should host #Intervision next year? 👇


https://x.com/intervisionwld/status/1967962227472040425

1967962227472040425

Not just contestants — even world-famous guests are flying to Moscow to see Intervision’25 live! 😍

Legendary Cirque du Soleil Artistic Director Michael Smith 🇬🇧 shared his wishes for the artists and his excitement for the show.

Welcome to Moscow, maestro! 🫶


https://x.com/intervisionwld/status/1967979030696825015

1967979030696825015

Look at these faces! 🌍🎶

Artists from Kenya, Qatar, Venezuela, UAE & Egypt explore VDNH — amazed by Moscow & united by music.

What are they dreaming of? What worries them?
Find out in Intervision Diaries — premiere drops tomorrow! ❤️✨ #Intervision25 #Moscow


https://x.com/intervisionwld/status/1967528523645833401

1967528523645833401


Between rehearsals — fresh air and golden autumn! 🍂✨
Intervision’25 contestants took a stroll through Moscow’s Zaryadye Park — stunning views, the floating bridge, and new friendships from around the globe.
Moments to remember. Moscow greets with warmth! 💗 #Intervision25

https://x.com/intervisionwld/status/1967871930608038177

1967871930608038177

Check the contest song “WE ARE CHAMPIONS” by the singer B. Howard @bhowardofficialfrom USA: https://band.link/We_Are_Champions 🇺🇸

This song is a fiery anthem created for stadiums, festivals and world unity 🌍

Please support it with your likes 👍

#Intervision2025


https://x.com/intervisionwld/status/1962885921084150161

1962885921084150161

[Ravenlocke]

❤️ On the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory, delegations from 8 countries visited the Victory Museum in Moscow — a moving moment of unity and remembrance of our shared history: https://t.me/intervision_world/491

https://x.com/intervisionwld/status/1967224813728194980

1967224813728194980


Exclusive
Behind-the-scenes footage of Cuban singer Zulema Iglesias and her amazing team rehearsing on the LIVE Arena stage 🔥
You can feel how focused and committed they are — no surprise, since it’s Cuba 🇨🇺 who’s opening the final show of Intervision’25 🎵

https://x.com/intervisionwld/status/1967234380780233088

1967234380780233088

From RT India,

🇷🇺FM Lavrov: Intervision to Open with Cuba and Close with India – Quite Symbolic Order that Demonstrates the Global Reach of the Event

#Intervision

https://x.com/RT_India_news/status/1967903132261957910

1967903132261957910

[Ravenlocke]

🇰🇵🇷🇺'An Alliance forged by BLOOD and BROTHERHOOD in Kursk' Join me as I explore the DPRK art exhibition "The Country of the Great People" at the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Art in Moscow Russia!

I attended with my friend
@ChrisHelali
, International Secretary of the American Communist Party.

This exhibition is dedicated to the soldier's of the Korean People's Army who died fighting for the liberation of Kursk from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as their sacrifices in the fight against US Imperialism during the Korean War.

The initial opening featured notable figures like Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova and Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu of the Russian Federation

https://x.com/sogaardreed/status/1968057403515015427

1968057403515015427

[Ravenlocke]

From the Sirius Report,

As we stated earlier on this year. Expect to see many more lines being laid in Russia going forward:

The Kremlin has announced new rail lines linking Moscow to St Petersburg and to the following:

Kazan, Krasnodar, Minsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov, Sochi and Yekaterinburg

https://x.com/thesiriusreport/status/1967964406425518507

1967964406425518507

From Apocalypsis Apocalyseos,

🇷🇺 Forging the Future: Russia’s High-Speed Rails Begin in St. Petersburg

The welding of rails for the Moscow–St. Petersburg high-speed railway has begun in St. Petersburg. Russia is forging a continuous, 800-meter ribbon of sovereign will—a ballastless, monolithic marvel defying ±40°C, designed to carry Russia forward at 400 km/h. By year’s end, over 250 km of this steel highway will be welded. The age of slow, incremental progress is over.

This is not only a project of transport—it is infrastructure for life. The first line, 679 km from Moscow to St. Petersburg, marks the beginning of a network exceeding 4,500 km, connecting strategic centers from Minsk to Adler. As Prime Minister Mishustin emphasized, these innovations give a decisive impulse to science and industry, strengthening technological sovereignty for more than 100 million people.

This is the physical economy in action. What once took a week will soon take two hours. Russia is building the future.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1968029021666677038

1968029021666677038

[Jaak]

1968044128316559507

[Ravenlocke]

From Russian Embassy in South Africa 🇷🇺

⚡🛰 Russia will begin deploying a broadband internet satellite constellation, own version of Starlink, in December 2025, chief of the Russian space agency
@roscosmos
Dmitry #Bakanov says.

350 satellites will provide broadband internet access with low latency and high data transfer rates.

https://x.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/1968685074032869712

1968685074032869712

From Mats Nilsson

Russia is developing its own analogue of the American satellite communications system Starlink!
The head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Bakanov, said this on air at Soloviev Live.



"We will soon have our own Starlink terminal. It is imperative that we make our own satellite device," he said.


https://x.com/mazzenilsson/status/1968234721483391285

1968234721483391285

[Ravenlocke]

ULYANA STRIZH 🇷🇺🇷🇺

Sep 8
"Dronnitsa 2025": Learning from Mistakes

We attended the all-Russian gathering "Dronnitsa 2025" dedicated to the topic of UAVs, which took place in our region.

First of all, it's really great that this event is held here, on Novgorod land. The way our "KVNs" effectively broke onto the front clearly shows a high level of commitment to Victory.

The fact that it is now possible to unite the experience of developers from different regions is a huge step towards a systematic approach in the development of domestic UAVs and countering enemy drones.

Despite some "behind-the-scenes" nature of the event and even bans on filming certain things, there are advantages to this. For example, the openness and frankness of the speakers during lectures. The discussion of critically important topics. Thus, I think the organizers' intended vector of "learning from mistakes" was truly addressed.

Perhaps I did not see, and I hope I did not see, representatives of the Ministry of Defense at the event. There should be some committee that attends, identifies issues, and then helps scale developments and supply our guys at the front.

In any case, it is proud and joyful that the organizers were the Coordination Center for Assistance to Novorossiya (KCPN), the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization "NPC Ushkuynik," and the government of the Novgorod region.

I don't think we are superhumans here, but I am sure that we really need this. We need to bring Victory closer and minimize the cost of this Victory.

By the way, I saw a very interesting thing, the so-called "Staff." It is an automated laser counter-drone system. Remember "Star Wars"? Well, it seems this is the next step. The prototype was presented at "Dronnitsa" for the first time, it works impressively and apparently effectively. We are waiting for this new device to be sent to the front to test it in combat conditions.

All this needs to develop faster... oh, how much we want that. After all, every day is lives.

Thanks to all the organizers, participants, engineers, and those passionate people who push this topic forward.

P.S. In the first photo, we are with Denis Vinogradov and acting governor Alexander Dronov.
By the way, yes, Alexander Valentinovich, like Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin, continues to develop important projects, which is encouraging. And Novgorod land is closer to its own Special Military Operation because it cares.


https://x.com/UlyanaStrizh/status/1965090838142488877

1965090838142488877



Samuel Bendett

Sep 9

1/ THREAD: On September 6-7, 2025, the fourth annual "DRONNITSA" meet-up took place in Russia's Novgorod region, organized by KCPN (Coordination Center for Assistance to Novorossiya) and Ushkuynik Enterprise (that builds KVN fiber-optic drones), with assistance from Novgorod region government. https://t.me/dronnitsa/554


https://x.com/sambendett/status/196540754746223033

1965407547462230333

[Ravenlocke]

TASS

Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc has won the Intervision 2025 song contest, TASS correspondent reported. Based on the results of the professional jury vote, the performer scored 422 points:
https://vk.cc/cPGG6P

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/1969555975666274788

1969555975666274788

https://tass.com/society/2019303?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=smm_social_share

MOSCOW, September 21. /TASS/. Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc has won the Intervision 2025 song contest, TASS correspondent reported. Based on the results of the professional jury vote, the performer scored 422 points.

"Congratulations, Vietnam! On behalf of our entire country and the whole world, we congratulate you on this victory. You have captivated us with your performance and your talent. Thank you!" the host said from the stage.

Second place went to The Nomad Trio from Kyrgyzstan, who scored 373 points. In third place was Qatar, represented by Dana al Meer, who received 369 points.

After the announcement of the winners, all the Intervision participants sang the song "A Million Voices" by Russian singer Polina Gagarina.

[Ravenlocke]

TASS

Russian figure skater Adeliia Petrosian on Saturday won the final Olympic qualifier for Milano Cortina 2026:
https://vk.cc/cPGk4b

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/1969435683547709827

1969435683547709827

https://tass.com/sports/2019245?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=smm_social_share

Russia’s figure skater Petrosian to compete in women’s singles at next year’s Olympics

The Olympic Winter Games will take place in Italy on February 6-22

BEIJING, September 20. /TASS/. Russian figure skater Adeliia Petrosian on Saturday won the final Olympic qualifier for Milano Cortina 2026.

At the event in Beijing, Petrosian delivered a flawless program, which earned her a total of 209.63 points. She secured one of the five Olympic quotas available in the women’s singles event.

Petrosian, 18, is a two-time Russian champion. She became the second Russia athlete to make it through the Milano Qualifier 2025 after ski mountaineer Nikita Filippov.

Another Russian athlete, Petr Gumennik, who dominates the short program, will be in contention for the final Olympic quotas at men’s singles event on Sunday.

The Olympic Winter Games will take place in Italy on February 6-22.


Adeliia Petrosian free skate at Chinese Nebelhorn / Skate to Milano 2025
Nocturne No. 1 in D Minor, Yo Soy Maria
140.91

https://x.com/kekbol/status/1969423255229399289

1969423255229399289


CGTN Sports Scene

🌟Adeliia Petrosian (Individual Neutral Athlete) has secured her spot at #MilanoCortina2026!

⛸️The 18-year-old scored 140.91 points in the women's free skate, bringing her total to 209.63 & winning the gold🥇at the ISU #SkateToMilano Qualifier in Beijing, China.

#FigureSkating

https://x.com/CGTNSportsScene/status/1969465930049839129

1969465930049839129

[Ravenlocke]

🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳 🅉

🇨🇳🇷🇺 “China and Russia are not just friends, but family.” Wang Xi’s words, spoken off-stage, landed like a cultural sledgehammer at Intervision 2025 in Moscow, resonating far beyond the concert hall. His mesmerizing performance of “At the Horizon” traced a metaphysical climb toward a new polycentric dawn, each note echoing aspiration and connection.

A virtuoso of voice and diplomacy, Wang Xi shared his love for Tchaikovsky, his daughter’s passion for Russian ballet, and extended an open invitation for Russians to visit China—a quiet rebuke to decades of division. Fans journeyed from across China, and President Putin hailed the event as proof of music’s unifying power.

Somewhere in the shadows of history, one could almost hear Mackinder rolling in his grave—but on stage, the music played on, unstoppable. Every note, every gesture, every harmony once deemed impossible now rings triumphantly across the globe. The unipolar era isn’t quietly fading—it’s being outplayed, out-sung, and cheekily outwitted, as a new symphony of Eurasian cooperation rises to the horizon.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1969561986930524573

1969561986930524573

🇻🇳 Duc Phuc Wins Intervision 2025—The Global Majority Rises

Vietnam’s Duc Phuc takes first place at Moscow’s Intervision with a Vietnamese-language song, proving that global hits are no longer an English-only domain. This victory signals the end of 500 years of Anglo-Saxon cultural dominance. Welcome to the Eurasian Century!

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1969517117310714071

1969517117310714071


🇷🇺 Shaman Rocks Intervision 2025 Stage for Russia

Shaman represented Russia at the Intervision 2025 Song Contest, performing “Straight to the Heart” at Live Arena in Odintsovo. He competed as part of a 23-nation lineup in a three-hour showcase that brought audiences into the world of global music and culture.

Intervision 2025 highlights not just performances, but also the stories behind the artists, fostering cultural exchange and friendship across borders. The winner will be chosen by an international jury of music experts from each participating nation.


https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1969508653419098413

1969508653419098413

[Ravenlocke]

From Russia News,

🚨⚡️ In Moscow, "Intervision 2025" kicks off where participating countries presented their performances through digital avatars.

Cuba opened the show.. 🇨🇺
Kyrgyzstan amazed the audience with the powerful NOMAD trio.. 🇰🇬
China stole the spotlight with Wan Xi’s distinctive and powerful performance.. 🇨🇳

President Putin: "The competition showcases the unifying power of the arts."

https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1969489762508521486

1969489762508521486


Auto-translated by Grok
🇻🇳 Vietnam Triumphs at the Intervision 2025 Final!
Talented Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc, winner of The Voice Vietnam 2015, has won the international music contest Intervision 2025, which took place in Moscow on September 20, 2025.

With his captivating performance of the song “Phu Dong Thien Vuong,” composed by Ho Hoai Anh and infused with Vietnamese cultural identity, he won over the jury and outperformed representatives from 22 other countries, including Belarus, China, Qatar, Egypt, and Brazil.

Kyrgyzstan placed second, followed by Qatar in third position.

Notably, the Russian representative, SHAMAN, chose not to be evaluated by the jury, believing that Russia had already won by hosting this major event.
Duc Phuc won the Intervision crystal trophy and a prize of 30 million rubles (approximately 360,000 USD).

https://x.com/camille_moscow/status/1969535389884170605

1969535389884170605

[Ravenlocke]

Auto-translated by Grok
Summary of the intervision edition 2025 at the Moscow Arena 🇷🇺😎

https://x.com/patriot_senior/status/1969517208888852705

1969517208888852705

[Ravenlocke]

The President addressed the participants of Intervision Song Context 2025 in Moscow. INTERVISION is ☦🇷🇺#Russia's alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest which has become an annual venue for international spectacles of disgusting perversion.

WHAT did the President say? 🧵

https://x.com/ulgenfatma74/status/1969497769514598751

1969497769514598751

Pres.Putin: Today, one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year will take place: the final of the revived International Music Competition "Intervision".
Over the years, this remarkable creative competition has brought together talented performers from

Pres.Putin: around the world, served to develop cultural dialogue, and strengthened friendship between peoples. Today, Intervision, while remaining true to its traditions, is taking on new dimensions.

https://x.com/ulgenfatma74/status/1969498283425869951

1969498283425869951

Pres.Putin: The latest advances in the concert industry, the diversity of countries and traditions, and an atmosphere of creative freedom, kindness, and mutual respect create a true celebration for artists and audiences.

Pres.Putin: Representatives from more than twenty countries will take to the stage with vibrant and distinctive performances to introduce the world to the contemporary musical creativity of their countries.

https://x.com/ulgenfatma74/status/1969498571079667889

1969498571079667889

Pres.Putin: Culture and music know no boundaries. Today's celebration aims to demonstrate the unifying power of art.The modern world is rapidly changing. It is generating a huge demand for justice, for broad and equal access to the fruits of socioeconomic and cultural progress.

Pres.Putin: Nations have the right to free development and to preserve their identity. People strive for communication and want to better understand and learn about the cultures of other countries.Intervision is a musical event that fully meets this demand.

https://x.com/ulgenfatma74/status/1969498964861874489

1969498964861874489

Pres.Putin: I am confident that the competition will become one of the most recognizable and beloved throughout the world, because through dialogue, mutual respect, and the strengthening of trust between cultures, we become spiritually richer.

Pres.Putin: Russia has always been and remains a country open to communication and creative collaboration. We cherish our traditions and respect those of others. 🌹🌹🌹🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

https://x.com/ulgenfatma74/status/1969499461014426103

1969499461014426103

Pres.Putin: Respect for traditional values ​​and cultural diversity is at the core of the competition and inspires its participants to achieve creative heights. I wish all the contestants successful performances and well-deserved recognition.

Pres.Putin: May each of you feel the warm, sincere support of the audience. And to everyone in the audience and watching today, I wish you vibrant emotions and the joy of experiencing true creativity.Good luck!

https://x.com/ulgenfatma74/status/1969499884521726366

1969499884521726366

[Ravenlocke]

The winning song,

Auto-translated by Grok
Vietnam wins Intervision 2025. Long live, Duc Fook.
#Russia #Vietnam

https://x.com/hbj_r77032/status/1969521256513863883

1969521256513863883


Sputnik

🎉🌟 Duc Phuc on winning Intervision 2025

💬 “All the participants were extremely talented… the victory can be considered a collective achievement.”

💬 “I think I was lucky, as I received love from audiences in Russia, abroad, and in Vietnam,” he told Sputnik Vietnam.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1969569255994831347

1969569255994831347

[Ravenlocke]

From RT,

There were SERIOUS attempts to disrupt Intervision — Lavrov

'Intense pressure was being put on some of the participants'

Reminder: US representative singer Vassy had to drop out of finale after Australia's intimidations

Australia pressures singer Vassy OUT of Intervision finale

She was representing US in the contest, having a dual US-Australian citizenship

So much for the freedom and tolerance values

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1969808992672354344

1969808992672354344

[Ravenlocke]

TASS

Vladimir Putin has arrived at the Global Atomic Forum. This year's event coincides with the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear industry:
https://vk.cc/cPPYpc

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/1971207856192938352

1971207856192938352

https://tass.com/politics/2021261?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=smm_social_share

Putin arrives at World Nuclear Week forum

This year's event coincides with the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear industry

MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived at the World Nuclear Week forum.

This year's event coincides with the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear industry.

Along with the Russian leader, the forum will be attended by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Myanmar's acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, as well as participants from Iran, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Niger, and several specialized organizations.

[Ravenlocke]

From Sputnik Africa,

⚛️ The World Atomic Week Forum has opened in Moscow

🌍 With delegates from 100+ countries, the event will spotlight the atomic industry, digital innovation, AI, and logistics.

🎤 Sputnik Africa is on the ground — stay tuned for more insights and materials.


🇪🇹🇷🇺Putin and Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed to take part in the Global Atomic Forum in Moscow.

The event will take place from September 25-28.

🇪🇬🇳🇪Alongside them, officials from Egypt and Niger, as well as leaders from Belarus, Myanmar, Armenia, and beyond, will also join the discussions.

Stay tuned for exclusive updates from Sputnik’s correspondents!

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1971165673595470113

1971165673595470113

[Ravenlocke]

Hi Bill,

I am so sorry to have been the bearer of such sad news……

To be honest when you first brought this lady’s plight to our attention for some reason I remembered Margarita Simonyan and her plight dealing with herself after her husband had a heart attack and went into a coma last year.

I don't know if this helps shed any light on how this lady mountaineer felt about her husband but here goes,

From Margarita Simonyan,

After it happened I did not want to live.

Meeting God is not terrifying, what happens here is.

Then I realized that no one is owed being the happiest person in the world, which I was. There was a time for joy, now is the time to pay off debts.

I carry on because I am obligated to my children, to my relatives, and, however pompous it sounds - to my country.

Doctors say Tigran's recovery is beyond their powers alone.

I ask you to pray for him.

https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1913985139815981547

1913985139815981547

The most difficult interview I have done in my life.

Last December, Tigran, my husband, and the father of my children, suffered a heart attack and fell into a coma.

This is the first time I've tried to speak about it in public.


https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1913975255460102318

1913975255460102318


Margarita Simonyan’s husband passed away.



Text:

❗️ Margarita Simonyan, the fearless editor-in-chief of RT and one of the strongest voices of Russia, announced the passing of her husband, Tigran Keosayan. He was not only a talented film director, actor and TV presenter, but also a man who dedicated his work and words to the Motherland.

At the same time, Simonyan herself is fighting a difficult personal battle, undergoing cancer treatment with courage and dignity. Even in the face of such trials, she continues to carry her mission as one of Russia’s leading media figures.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1971588575490867421

1971588575490867421

[Ravenlocke]

Sputnik 日本

Auto-translated by Grok
【International Buddhist Forum Opens in Russia's Kalmykia Republic: A Sumptuous Ceremony in the Heart of the Grasslands】

🙏 In Russia's southwestern Kalmykia Republic, Buddhist representatives from about 35 countries gathered, and the 3rd International Buddhist Forum opened.

🪩 The opening ceremony on the 25th was held at night in the grasslands. Motivated by Buddhist culture, it expressed a grand narrative through song and dance.

💚 The forum features a business program and a cultural program, where Buddhist representatives from around the world discuss and deepen exchanges. The forum will be held until the 28th.

🔥 Watch the video of the opening ceremony!

🔔 Follow@sputnik_jp
to dive deeper into this topic

https://x.com/sputnik_jp/status/1971441938315239592

1971441938315239592

From Zlatti71
🙏 The III International Buddhist Forum Kicks Off in Kalmykia

The opening of the Buddhist forum took place in Elista. It was attended by believers from China, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Spain, Belarus, and Brazil. Representatives of other religions also attended the event.

In total, more than 2,000 guests from 35 countries gathered. The opening was attended by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, and the production was handled by Andrey Boltenko, the director of the Sochi Olympics show.
- FRWL


https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1971583353653534918

1971583353653534918

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

This is my native Ural, and this is the small village of Sarapulka, Sverdlovsk region. Yesterday, these lovely women wove a No 1000-piece camouflage net for our soldiers at the front. Three years of hard work for our soldiers: fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, cousins,
🧵
and sons-in-law... They spent their pensions and salaries to buy materials for the nets that would hide our soldiers' bunkers from enemy reconnaissance drones. Three years. Each of these lovely women has a family, children and grandchildren, gardens, livestock,

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1971896881568747908

1971896881568747908

and maybe even husbands who are dissatisfied with something... But I want them to know that we are proud of them. In the center of the photo is a short woman named Nelly Andreevna. During the Great Patriotic War (WW2), she recited poetry in hospitals as a child.

To inspire wounded soldiers. She is now 98 years old! She knits nets for the front, for victory! We all have the same motivation: Our boys are there! They need it! Everything else doesn't matter. My deepest gratitude goes to the real people of my native Ural region.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1971896938460270661

1971896938460270661

This is just one village in Russia. There are tens of thousands of them in our native Russia.
NATO idiots, you will never defeat our people...
We will simply each do our part in the name of Victory: soldiers at the front, men in factories will sharpen shells,

and women will strengthen the rear with all their might and help the front.

This has been the case in Russia since ancient times.
The higher the pressure, the more resilient the people are.
And if danger threatens Russia,
the Motherland becomes a like monolith.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1971896995485978945

1971896995485978945

[Ravenlocke]

🇷🇺🐻 Have a great weekend! #Russia #Russian

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1971840722853671251

1971840722853671251

[Ravenlocke]

From Maimunka News who has started chemotherapy for Leukemia..🙏

Maimunka News

Sep 26
‼️Dear followers, thank you so much for your heartwarming responses to my post yesterday. My chemotherapy started again yesterday. It's been very difficult, but thanks to you, I continue to find the strength to get through this difficult time. THANK YOU! 🙏❤️

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1971574544176472316

1971574544176472316

[Ravenlocke]

Zlatti71

🚇 A themed train dedicated to the achievements of domestic space exploration has been launched on the Large Circle Line in Moscow.

This is a joint project of Roscosmos and the Moscow Metro, timed to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the capital's subway, noted Deputy Mayor for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

Passengers will be able to learn how space was explored, what technologies are used today, and what professions will appear in the future. The train will run on the line for six months.
- FRWL
https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1974753364849070547

1974753364849070547

[Ravenlocke]

From RT,

Death Stranding? No, it's one of the largest whale graveyards in Russian Chukotka

The indigenous Chukchi people placed the massive whale skulls vertically to appease the spirits

They believed this sacred act let the spirit 'gaze' toward the sea and 'see' its path to be reborn

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1975576585827979531

1975576585827979531

[Ravenlocke]

Sputnik India

Oct 11
🚨🇮🇳🇷🇺 Buddha’s sacred relics arrive in Russia for the first time — straight from India to Kalmykia

https://x.com/Sputnik_India/status/1976927916023001247

1976927916023001247

Sidhant Sibal

Oct 11
Buddha relics from India reach Russia's Republic of Kalmykia for an exposition on Indian Air Force plane. Kalmykia is a Buddhist majority region of Russia.

https://x.com/sidhant/status/1976959995565723743

1976959995565723743




RT_India

Oct 11
🇮🇳 Sacred Buddha Relics Flown to Russia by Indian Air Force

An Indian Air Force aircraft has delivered replicas of sacred relics of Buddha Shakyamuni to Elista, the capital of Kalmykia. The N.N. Palmova National Museum will receive 16 artifacts, including statuettes, bas-reliefs from the 2nd to 11th centuries, scenes from the life of Buddha and Sanskrit manuscripts.

India is also gifting the Kangyur, a collection of 108 volumes of Buddhist scriptures in the Mongolian language, to Kalmyk State University and the Trinity Khurul. Regional head Batu Khasikov called it a major moment in India–Russia cultural and religious ties.

https://x.com/RT_India_news/status/1977013410689958233

1977013410689958233

[Ravenlocke]

India in Russia

Oct 11
A press conference was held at the Golden Abode of the Buddha Shakyamuni where the Holy relics of Lord Buddha are enshrined in Elista, Russia.

H.E. Mr Batu Khasikov, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia, H.E. Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ambassador
@VKumar1969
, Shri Abhijit Halder, Director General, IBC, His Holiness 43rd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, Head of Sakya Order and His Eminence Shajin Lama of Kalmyk people, other monks, devotees, dignitaries and officials participated in the Press Conference and spoke about the importance of the visit of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Kalmykia.

The enthusiasm with which the people welcomed the Holy Relics and lined along the streets to receive His blessings is very heart warming, indeed.

The visit will provide a great opportunity for the people of Kalmykia and neighbouring regions for a profound spiritual pilgrimage. This will help in spreading Lord Buddha’s message of peace to the world and further deepen India-Russia cooperation, academic exchanges including in Buddhist Studies and people to people ties.

https://x.com/IndEmbMoscow/status/1977019621841797244

1977019621841797244

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)

Oct 10

The Republic of #Kalmykia, #Russia will be blessed to witness history as the Buddha’s Sacred #Piprahwa Relics embark on a new journey from India, carrying the light of compassion and timeless wisdom across borders. The delegation carrying the Holy Relics of the Buddha is led by Shri
@kpmaurya1
, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and His Holiness 43rd Sakya Trinzin Rinpoche, Head of Sakya Tradition.
#RelicsInKalmykia

https://x.com/IbcWorldOrg/status/1976750198849520102

1976750198849520102

[Ravenlocke]

ANI
Oct 10

#WATCH | Delhi | On leading the delegation of monks taking the sacred relics of the Buddha to Kalmykia, Russia, 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche says,
"I feel honoured. This is a great initiative taken by the government. It will help our Russian brothers and sisters... I hope the Indian government will take the relics to all parts of the World..."

https://x.com/ANI/status/1976767707438592080

1976767707438592080



In March 2025,

RT

Mar 4

'In 2000 years, there will be friendship with the Russian king' — Buddha

PM of Myanmar gifts book of ancient prophecy to Putin, predicting good relations between the two states

There was no concept of a president back then!

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1896931983051411813

1896931983051411813

[Jaak]

'In 2000 years, there will be friendship with the Russian king' — Buddha


I have trouble believing that Buddha said that . If somebody can share some sources where it comes from , would be nice .

[Ravenlocke]

'In 2000 years, there will be friendship with the Russian king' — Buddha


I have trouble believing that Buddha said that . If somebody can share some sources where it comes from , would be nice .

Hi Jaak
That quote is from the book that the PM of Myanmar presented to Putin and if you can see the RT video, the PM of Myanmar is reading the prophecy from that book.

https://english.shannews.org/archives/27844


MIN AUNG HLAING’S RUSSIAN TRIP: Learning the trade of staying in power indefinitely from Putin?

Military junta or State Administration Council (SAC) boss General Min Aung Hlaing’s trip to Moscow may be seen as move to challenge and counter international arrest warrant and at the same time to show the world that he isn’t in anyway isolated by it as intended.

Late last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor requested an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing for crimes against humanity.

The warrant, sought by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, marks the first time a high-ranking Myanmar official faces potential legal action for the brutal 2017 crackdown that forced approximately 750,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh to escape what the US and various rights groups have termed a genocide by the Myanmar military, according to various reports.

And recently, Argentina under Universal Jurisdiction also announced arrest warrant on February 13 of the General, together with two civilian leaders, Aung San Suu Kyi, U Htin Kyaw, and 22 other military officials.

Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace on February 5, which was his fourth visit to Russia since he staged military coup and seized power in 2021. Reportedly, they oversaw the signing of 10 MoUs covering sectors including nuclear energy, education, sport, trade and investment, and many others, the Kremlin said.

During his visit Min Aung Hlaing made an unusual flattering and praising of Putin in an unusual way.

“Citing a 1938 biography of King Alaungpaya, who founded the Konbaung Dynasty in the 1700s, Min Aung Hlaing said a rat king named Thoma made offerings to the Buddha, who prophesied that Thoma would become a king of Russia more than 2,000 years after Buddha’s death and that he would have unrivaled knowledge of weaponry and become a friend and ally of Myanmar kings. “This prophecy has come true,” said the military junta boss, according to The Irrawaddy recent report.

Accordingly, Putin was the rat king then and although no mention was made, the Burmese king must have been himself now reincarnated into Min Aung Hlaing of the present day.

Putin must have been irked and feeling awkward by such funny fairytale appraisal and must be lost in translation.

Regardless of such a stunt and scenarios, Min Aung Hlaing is determined to hold on to power through general elections to be held by the end of the year or next year, which he reiterated again on his Belarus visit.

During a meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk, Min invited “observation teams from Belarus to come and observe” the slated election.

Apart from that his moves are aimed at showing the world that it is firmly in Sino-Russian camp and orbit.

On top of that Min Aung Hlaing is actually even breaching the military-drafted constitution of 2008, particularly the Section 41 and 42, which writes:

“41. The Union practises independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy aimed at world peace and friendly relations with nations and upholds the principles of peaceful coexistence among nations.
42. (a) The Union shall not commence aggression against any nation.
(b) No foreign troops shall be permitted to be deployed in the territory of the Union.”

By firmly declaring to be in Sino-Russian camp, Min Aung Hlaing breached the non-aligned foreign policy of the constitution.

It also go against no deployment of foreign troops in Union territory, as it permitted the armed security firms from foreign countries to set up shop within the country.

Recently, Chinese security personnel of some 50 are said to be in Kyaukpyu to protect the Chinese economic interest.

In sum, Min Aung Hlaing’s main purpose is to copy Putin’s way of maintaining power through manipulated and stagemanaged elections, just as Belarus leader have been doing and managed to stay in power for decades.

And of course, “Birds of a feather flock together,” sort of relationship to counter international condemnation and isolation.

And as such, seen by the recent ability of the junta to hold on and conducting selected military push back against its opponents, using airstrikes and artillery bombardment with help of Russia and China, the war will likely go on for some more years, if not decades.

[Jaak]

Sadly i cant see the video because RT is banned in EU ... What is the book called ? I tried to search from internet about it but could not find anything.

**Edit
Sorry saw your post before you edited it .
Interesting stuff. But calling Putin a rat king , what the hell does that mean ?
Seems a bit insulting ...
I look into it tomorrow . Thanks for answer.

[Bill Ryan]

This is partially off-topic on this thread (I don't want to make this all about mountaineering!), but I felt it belonged here as "Life in Russia" is so much about the strong character and personality of the Russian people — who will never give up on anything that's a challenge or which is important to them.

I've posted before that the Russians are the toughest mountaineers in the world. Now a small Russian team has just climbed the southwest face of Manaslu (the 8th highest mountain in the world), something that's never been done before.

They described it as "very cold, with crazy winds", and "every inch was a struggle". They were totally alone on the mountain with no Sherpa support of any kind.

Most impressively (because of the extreme conditions), one of the climbers was a 29-year old woman, Natalia Belyankina. She's second from the left in the team photo below.

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-22-at-10.48.00-AM.jpg

The climb was reported here: (with a title which included the exclamation mark!)

Russians Summit Manaslu Southwest Face! (https://explorersweb.com/russians-summit-manaslu-southwest-face)

And here's what they climbed. No wonder they've never been defeated in warfare. :)

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/manaslu-w-face-animal-edited-1.jpeg

:focus:

[Ravenlocke]

𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔
Oct 26
Translated from Spanish
🔴🇷🇺RUSSIA - #ULTIMAHORA
🚨☄️ASTEROID OVER MOSCOW....

For a while now, Russian channels have been starting to post videos about the sighting over Moscow of a dazzling green flash in the sky. Eyewitnesses say it could be a meteorite burning up upon entering the atmosphere, or debris from some satellite.

📲Follow us if you want to stay up to date with all the current news that you won’t find on other channels
@mysteryWN

https://x.com/mysteryWN/status/1982697436326895823

1982697436326895823

Disaster News

Oct 27
Meteor or possible space debris brilliantly lights up the sky over Moscow, Russia 🇷🇺 (27.10.2025)

https://x.com/Top_Disaster/status/1982765668874523128

1982765668874523128

[Ravenlocke]

RussiaNews 🇷🇺

Oct 27
🚨⚡️ Amid Western sanctions, Russia launches “Atom” , its first electric car, successfully tested in the Arctic aboard a nuclear icebreaker!

500 km per charge – 8 minutes of charging = 100 km
Designed to withstand Arctic cold and equipped with augmented reality and ADAS 2.

https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1983061839354486824

1983061839354486824

[Ravenlocke]

Russian Market

Oct 28
In Yakutia, the seasonal harvesting of ice has begun. It is a traditional way to ensure access to clean fresh water during the long winter months.

https://x.com/runews/status/1983253428328354237

1983253428328354237

[Bill Ryan]

Russian Market

Oct 28
In Yakutia, the seasonal harvesting of ice has begun. It is a traditional way to ensure access to clean fresh water during the long winter months.

https://x.com/runews/status/1983253428328354237

1983253428328354237Reposting this from a year ago: (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?122026-Life-in-Russia&p=1636766&viewfull=1#post1636766) :snow: :grouphug: :snow:

~~~


A Russian girl in Yatutsk, where the temperature was -47ºC, or -53ºF.

:heart2:

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Ystutsk.jpg~~~

And here's more. :heart:

How we have fun at −64°C (−84°F) Yakutsk, Siberia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0z7Avc9ZtY~~~

Even more: :) (And in this video, it's even colder)

Yakutia is the region, of which Yakutsk (in the quoted post above) is the largest city. The village depicted in this video, which has an English commentary, is just one very tiny place in this vast area of Siberia.

One Day in the Coldest Village on Earth −71°C (−96°F) | Yakutia, Siberia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj5GXZaE7qs

[Bill Ryan]

Some very beautiful Russian architecture. :heart:

One of the oldest public libraries in Moscow - the N. A. Dobrolyubov Library

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/164499

DDGeopolitics/164499

[Bill Ryan]

Vladimir Putin signed decrees establishing the Day of the Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the Russian Federation, which will be celebrated on April 30, and the Day of the Languages of the Peoples of Russia — September 8.

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/164688

DDGeopolitics/164688

[Ravenlocke]

MFA Russia 🇷🇺

🇷🇺 Today #Russia and its many peoples celebrate national #UnityDay!

It symbolizes the unity of our multiethnic nation, celebrates our true diversity, enhanced through unity and honours the unerring ultimate devotion to the Motherland.

❗️ Happy #UnityDay2025!

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1985453914297418020

1985453914297418020

MFA Russia 🇷🇺

🇷🇺 November 4 – Day of Russia’s Military Glory.

#OTD in 1612, after a series of fierce battles, the people’s militia led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky & Kuzma Minin forced the Polish-Lithuanian invaders to capitulate, liberating Moscow.

Learn more: https://t.me/MFARussia/27117?single

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1985742702378655807

1985742702378655807

Jacob🇷🇺Charite☦️ Иаков reposted

Russian Embassy in Kenya/Посольство России в Кении

🇷🇺Happy Unity Day, Russia! Today we celebrate the power of a nation home to over 190 peoples and ethnic groups - united by history, culture, and shared future. Diversity isn’t just part of Russia’s story - it’s its greatest strength.


https://x.com/russembkenya/status/1985594106551419303

1985594106551419303

Dmitry Medvedev

Happy National Unity Day!

https://x.com/MedvedevRussiaE/status/1985597227428167843

1985597227428167843

[Ravenlocke]

Zlatti71

Maria Zakharova:

Happy Holiday, National Unity Day!

Just as Minin and Pozharsky, along with the entire nation, drove the enemy away from the heart of our Motherland under banners and icons, so too do our diplomats today defend the country's interests on the international stage.

🇷🇺 #NationalUnityDay is celebrated not only in Russia but also abroad.

Russian diplomatic missions traditionally hold solemn events, receptions, memorial wreath-layings at the graves of our soldiers and sailors, concerts, and cultural evenings with the participation of compatriots.

👉 https://telegra.ph/Den-narodnogo-edinstva-2025-v-rossijskih-zagranuchrezhdeniyah-11-04

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1985715576631697761

1985715576631697761

[Ravenlocke]

Maimunka News

‼️🇷🇺👨‍🚀🛰️ "This is a celebration for those who sincerely love our Motherland," — the first congratulations in honor of the National Unity Day came from aboard the International Space Station! #Russia

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1985682792034836967

1985682792034836967

[Ravenlocke]

Natalia

Today Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of Kazan Icon of Mother of God.
This is the church of this icon located near Kazan Kremlin. Huge crowds gathered to celebrate and pray.
The icon is believed to be miraculous.

https://x.com/NataliaPRussia/status/1985697731369955655

1985697731369955655



Sputnik
@SputnikInt

3️⃣ How is it celebrated?

November 4 is celebrated with a wide range of events, from official ceremonies and parades to concerts and public gatherings

Orthodox churches hold services in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1985772748396724595

1985772748396724595


🔥🗞The Informant

❗️🇷🇺 - On Unity Day, Vladimir Putin laid flowers at the monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square. The ceremony included representatives of religious denominations, as well as members of public and youth organizations.

Putin stated that Russians safeguard their country's sovereignty, honor, and dignity through both peaceful and military efforts. He emphasized Russia's ability to unite against threats and the indisputable value of Russian Federation unity. The president also extended congratulations on the holiday.

Later, in the Kremlin, Putin presented presidential awards and state honors to representatives of Russia's major traditional religions, including various branches of Christianity, streams of Islam, and Buddhism. Patriarch Kirill, in particular, received the President's Award for his contribution to strengthening and unifying the Russian nation for 2023–2025.

https://x.com/theinformant_x/status/1985791944404947402

1985791944404947402

[Bill Ryan]

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/165164

Semyonkovo, Vologda region
Semyonkovo is an architectural and ethnographic museum of Russian wooden architecture from the mid-19th to early 20th century.


DDGeopolitics/165164

[Ravenlocke]

🔥🗞The Informant

❗️⚠️🇷🇺 - A partial collapse at the Snezhkom indoor ski complex in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, injured two people and damaged more than 100 vehicles, according to TASS citing emergency services.

One victim was examined on-site by doctors and declined hospitalization. The second was transported by ambulance to a trauma center for treatment, per the Moscow Region Health Ministry.

In nearby residences, shattered windows injured one woman when glass shards struck her face, causing a nasal laceration; she also refused hospitalization.

Opened in 2008, Snezhkom was Russia's first all-season indoor ski facility, featuring a 365-meter ski slope, training areas, a snowboard park, and an ice rink.

Demolition began in summer 2024 after the structure was deemed unsafe due to flaws in the dome and metal trusses that risked further collapse. Challenges included the massive scale of the metal components—some sections weighing tens of tons—leading to repeated pauses for load recalculations and safety adjustments. The building remains partially intact, with plans to construct a residential complex on the site.

https://x.com/theinformant_x/status/1988305927431238065

1988305927431238065

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

Long life to you, dear Alexandra Nikolaevna. My respects! ❤️❤️❤️

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1988109900988510510

1988109900988510510

I have written a lot about Alexandra Pakhmutova. She is a composer and a national treasure of Russia...
See post below ⬇️

1/2

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1988109897200992583

1988109897200992583

[Bill Ryan]

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the People's Artist Alexandra Pakhmutova on her 96th birthday.Just a personal comment. I follow this thread closely, as many will know, and it always strikes me how VERY strongly and passionately Russians honor, celebrate, and protect their national culture — something that is just not done in North America or Europe any longer at all.

[Vedi]

Bill, what you said is really true.

[Ravenlocke]

Russia's Pivot to Asia
Nov 8
Something for Sunday...New Russian Classical Music

Russia's new generation of classical musicians are creating works of great beauty. Often taking the rhythms of nature as inspiration (the Americans take the rhythm of their cities), new Russian composers such as Alexei Krasheninnikov are taking a new approach to creating musical soundscapes of great beauty. Here's an excerpt from the 'Winter' section of his "Seasons" concerto, seen at the Mariinsky in St.Petersburg last night.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1987418480040415408

1987418480040415408

[Ravenlocke]

Moscow calling

😍 The Shoana Temple is one of the few architectural testimonies of ancient Christianity.

It is visited by those who are captivated not only by the delightful nature of the Greater Caucasus but also by its man-made beauties. The place where this temple was built is steeped in historical intricacies and life's dramas. And no wonder, for 11 centuries have passed since its construction.

The cathedral is located in the village of Kosta Khetagurov in Karachay-Cherkessia and was built above the Kuban River, more precisely, at the point where it merges with the Teberda River on Mount Shoana.

The temple is built in the form of a cross. Both in length and in height, the building measures almost 13 meters. During the Soviet years, the temple stood in desolation, but in our time, it has come back to life. Today, divine services are held there daily.

https://x.com/moscow__calling/status/1989697888763449788

1989697888763449788

[Ravenlocke]

1. Church of the Transfiguration: an entirely wooden, 22-dome church built without a single nail...

Part of the Kizhi Pogost, Russia — the world's tallest wooden structure. Built to gather Christians in the remote Karelia region.

The current, restored church used metal nails, but the 18th century original didn't. Instead, it used horizontal logs that interlock in the corners.

https://x.com/the_culturist_/status/1800953396385448308

1800953396385448308

[Ravenlocke]

SacredChad
In the Altai Mountains of Russia, a massive rock formation bears a carved icon of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus.

Created by Orthodox nun Felofeya of the Barnaul Znamensky Monastery, the sacred carving overlooks the Patmos Island monastery of St. John the Theologian .

https://x.com/sacredchad_ig/status/1987471085592342867

1987471085592342867


https://www.moscow-driver.com/photos/russia/altai/chemal/rock_carve_iImage_of_virgin_framed_by_trees_on_island_patmos

Image of Our Lady with Child carved into the rock and the top with the cross of the Church of St. John the Theologian framed by trees on island Patmos in Chemal, Altai Republic. The icon of the Virgin was carved into the rock by the nun of the Barnaul Znamensky Monastery, the former sculptor and mountain climber Felofeya.

[Ravenlocke]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Nov 21
Rostov Veliky, one of Russia’s oldest cities.
First mentioned in 862, it stood when most of Europe was still learning to read.

Once a major center of Rus’, home to princes, scribes, and traders.
Later, it became a spiritual stronghold with its own Kremlin (yes, Russia has many), rising above Lake Nero like something from an old epic.
And then came its signature enamel art.

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/1992094749566877886

1992094749566877886

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

Nov 22
There are no words, only lovely emotions... My God, almighty and merciful, I love watching children dance folklore. And, of course, the rich Russia folklore...
Thank you, Etna, you always make my heart happy...❤️❤️❤️

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1992285204564812243

1992285204564812243

[Ravenlocke]

Валентина Грачилоа Акира💙 🇷🇺☦️🇷🇺💙

Nov 13
Translated from Russian
🇷🇺 #Siberia 🇷🇺 🎶 🇷🇺 ❄️❄️
This is my region in Western Siberia
This is a beautiful song in honor of the symbol of Siberia of all regions of our historical ruler and bears 🐻 🇷🇺. Glory to Siberia 🇷🇺 🎶❤️🤩

https://x.com/GraciloaVal79/status/1989068102211104844

1989068102211104844

[Ravenlocke]

🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳 🅉

Yakutsk’s Captured NATO Weapons Exhibit Draws Tens of Thousands in Its First Week

Since opening on National Unity Day, the exhibition of captured NATO equipment in Yakutsk has surpassed expectations, drawing over 15,000 visitors in its first week. Hailed by organizers as a “powerful symbol of the modern era,” the display has become a major cultural and patriotic event, continuing to resonate with the public.

Long queues formed daily at the “Russia – My History” park, where families, school groups, and veterans viewed the infamous weaponry captured during the Special Military Operation.

“The incredible turnout, especially among youth, confirms that this is more than a display—it’s a crucial step in patriotic education,” said a spokesperson for the Arctic Center of Epics and Arts. Guided tours by war correspondent Alexander Avdeev provided battlefield context, while veterans and youth groups launched related educational initiatives, reinforcing historical memory and national consciousness.

Due to overwhelming public demand, the exhibition has been extended through the end of November, with special hours for working families and visitors from remote districts.

🇷🇺 Inside Yakutsk’s Exhibition of Captured NATO “Wonder-Weapons”

On November 4, 2025, the Arctic Center of Epics and Arts, the “Russia – My History” historical park, and the Yakutia Congress Center opened a unique exhibition of captured NATO military equipment. The project was part of the III Republican Anti-Fascist Forum of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), “The People and the Army are United!” under the motto, “Russia is Strong Through Us.”

Organizers described the exhibition as unprecedented in the region, a powerful symbol of the modern era. Residents and visitors saw weaponry supplied to the Kiev regime and captured during the Special Military Operation, including the M2 Bradley, M113, VAB, TPz 1 “Fuchs,” and BTR-4E “Bucephalus,” delivered from the South Donetsk direction by fighters of the “Vostok” group.

The opening coincided with National Unity Day and included speeches by regional leaders and Ministry of Defense officials, including Lieutenant General Roman Grekov. Heroes of the Russian Federation and front-line participants attended, while war correspondent Alexander Avdeev guided tours.

Organizers emphasized the exhibition’s role in patriotic education, showing youth the enemy’s so-called “wonder-weapons” and reinforcing historical memory and national consciousness.


https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1992768264544698674

1992768264544698674

[Agape]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Nov 21
Rostov Veliky, one of Russia’s oldest cities.
First mentioned in 862, it stood when most of Europe was still learning to read.

Once a major center of Rus’, home to princes, scribes, and traders.
Later, it became a spiritual stronghold with its own Kremlin (yes, Russia has many), rising above Lake Nero like something from an old epic.
And then came its signature enamel art.

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/1992094749566877886

1992094749566877886

I wonder if you would mind to find the original soundtrack from the video clip above.

If it's easy. It's definitely something I've heard before, can not recall the source.


Thankyou

🙏🌄✨

[Bill Ryan]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Nov 21
Rostov Veliky, one of Russia’s oldest cities.
First mentioned in 862, it stood when most of Europe was still learning to read.

Once a major center of Rus’, home to princes, scribes, and traders.
Later, it became a spiritual stronghold with its own Kremlin (yes, Russia has many), rising above Lake Nero like something from an old epic.
And then came its signature enamel art.

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/1992094749566877886

1992094749566877886

I wonder if you would mind to find the original soundtrack from the video clip above.

If it's easy. It's definitely something I've heard before, can not recall the source.

Thankyou

🙏🌄✨It's this: :heart:

Улетай на крыльях ветра
(Fly away on the wings of the wind)
by Evgeniya Sotnikova

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music/v4/4f/13/ef/4f13effc-1324-fb2d-4c11-acd8dfb5e1b7/859712117472_cover.tif/400x400cc.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFrV9c6TYiA

[rgray222]

This appears to be a fairly honest assessment of how most Russians are viewing the new war and post war taxes.

Russia’s slowing wartime economy pushes Kremlin to increase taxes and fees

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2025/11/2025-11-07T131845Z_19797791_RC2MRHAHLUIX_RTRMADP_3_RUSSIA-WW2-PARADE-ANNIVERSARY-1200x807.jpg
After two years of robust growth fueled by military spending on the war in Ukraine, Russia’s economy is slowing. Oil revenues are down, the budget deficit is up and defense spending has leveled off.

The Kremlin needs money to keep its finances steady — and it’s clear where President Vladimir Putin intends to get it: at the cash register, from ordinary people and small businesses.

An increase in value-added tax to 22% from 20% is expected to add as much as 1 trillion rubles, or about $12.3 billion, to the state budget. The increase is contained in legislation already making its way through Russia’s compliant parliament and would take effect from Jan. 1.

More tax and fee increases are on the way
On top of the rate increase, the legislation lowers the threshold for requiring businesses to collect VAT to a mere 10 million rubles (about $123,000) in annual sales revenue, in stages by 2028. That’s down from 60 million rubles, or $739,000. That change is aimed in part at tax avoidance schemes in which companies split their operations to skirt the threshold.

But it also will hit previously exempt businesses like corner convenience stores and beauty salons.

The government also has proposed increasing taxes on spirits, wine, beer, cigarettes and vapes. For instance, the tax on stronger spirits such as vodka would go up by 84 rubles per liter of pure alcohol, which works out to 17 rubles or about 20 U.S. cents for a half-liter bottle, or about 5% of the minimum price of 349 rubles ($4.31). Fees for renewing driver’s licenses or getting an international license also are going up, and a key tax break on imported cars is being axed. The government is weighing a tech tax on digital equipment including smartphones and notebooks of up to 5,000 rubles ($61.50) for the highest priced items, the Kommersant news site reported.

The economic slowdown and tax increases are signs that Putin and ordinary Russians will face harder choices in the months ahead between guns and butter — that is, between military spending and consumer welfare after 3 1/2 years of war against Ukraine.

Tax increases bring dismay and shrugs
Muscovites interviewed on a main street in the Russian capital by The Associated Press expressed dismay mingled with resignation, saying the higher food prices would be widely felt, especially in poorer regions and among those with low incomes.

Pensioner Svetlana Martynova said making small businesses collect VAT would backfire.

“I think that small and medium businesses will fold,” she said. “The budget will get less, not more.”

On top of VAT, registering a car will cost more
The VAT increase comes on top of changes in the recycling fee paid for registering cars, a step that mostly hits high-priced imports. From Dec. 1 individuals can no longer get a concessionary rate of 3,400 rubles ($42) on cars with more than 160 horsepower, but must pay the commercial rate, which can be hundreds of thousands of rubles, or thousands of dollars, per car.

The step, however, was unlikely to boost investment in domestic manufacturing, given high central bank interest rates and the smaller size of the Russian market compared with neighboring China, now the source of most imported cars. That’s according to Andrei Olkhovsky, general director of Avtodom, a major auto dealer group.

As for customers, sales “will decline in the short term, but will recover to current levels within six months,” he said in an answer to emailed questions.

“Increased taxes and fees will influence prices for the end consumer,” he said. “Consumers in turn will factor this into their lifestyle and demand higher wages from their employers. This will increase the cost of everything around us.”

Slower economic growth pushes up the budget deficit
Russia’s economy shrank at the start of 2025 and is on course for growth this year of only around 1%, according to government estimates, after growing more than 4% in 2023 and 2024. Growth has suffered from high central bank interest rates, currently at 16.5%, aimed at controlling inflation of 8% fueled by massive military spending. Oil revenues are down about 20% this year mainly due to lower global prices, according to the Kyiv School of Economics Institute. Western sanctions imposed over the war against Ukraine have been an ongoing drag on growth by increasing costs and deterring investment that could expand the economy’s productive capacity.

As a result, this year’s budget deficit has been revised upward from 0.5% to 2.6%, up from 1.7% last year. That doesn’t seem huge in comparison with other countries — but unlike them, Russia can’t borrow on international bond markets and must rely on domestic banks for credit.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said raising revenue was preferable to increasing borrowing, saying excessive borrowing “would lead to a speeding up of inflation, and as a result, to an increase in the key rate” from the central bank that would hurt investment and growth.

The VAT increase could boost inflation at first as merchants change their price lists. But over the longer term, it could lower price pressures by dampening demand for goods — and help the central bank in its battle to keep inflation in check.

The Kremlin won’t run out of money but faces hard choices
The tax and fee increases are a step back from Russia’s wartime economy of the two previous years that put more money in people’s pockets. Then-higher prices for oil exports filled state coffers, while vast increases in military spending boosted hiring, and paychecks for factory workers kept pace with inflation. Along with that, military recruitment and death bonuses pumped cash into poorer regions.

Putin won’t run out of money in the short term, said Alexandra Prokopenko, fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin.

“Growth is slowing down, but corporates are paying taxes, people are consuming and getting salaries, and paying taxes from this,” she said. “For the coming 12 or 14 months, Putin has enough money to maintain the current war effort and the current level of expenditures.”

After that, she said, “he will need to make tough choices, trade-offs between maintaining military effort or, for example, maintaining consumer abundance so people won’t feel 100% that the war is going on.”

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russias-slowing-wartime-economy-pushes-kremlin-to-increase-taxes-and-fees

[Bill Ryan]

This appears to be a fairly honest assessment of how most Russians are viewing the new war and post war taxes.

Russia’s slowing wartime economy pushes Kremlin to increase taxes and fees

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2025/11/2025-11-07T131845Z_19797791_RC2MRHAHLUIX_RTRMADP_3_RUSSIA-WW2-PARADE-ANNIVERSARY-1200x807.jpg
After two years of robust growth fueled by military spending on the war in Ukraine, Russia’s economy is slowing. Oil revenues are down, the budget deficit is up and defense spending has leveled off.

The Kremlin needs money to keep its finances steady — and it’s clear where President Vladimir Putin intends to get it: at the cash register, from ordinary people and small businesses.

An increase in value-added tax to 22% from 20% is expected to add as much as 1 trillion rubles, or about $12.3 billion, to the state budget. The increase is contained in legislation already making its way through Russia’s compliant parliament and would take effect from Jan. 1.

More tax and fee increases are on the way
On top of the rate increase, the legislation lowers the threshold for requiring businesses to collect VAT to a mere 10 million rubles (about $123,000) in annual sales revenue, in stages by 2028. That’s down from 60 million rubles, or $739,000. That change is aimed in part at tax avoidance schemes in which companies split their operations to skirt the threshold.

But it also will hit previously exempt businesses like corner convenience stores and beauty salons.

The government also has proposed increasing taxes on spirits, wine, beer, cigarettes and vapes. For instance, the tax on stronger spirits such as vodka would go up by 84 rubles per liter of pure alcohol, which works out to 17 rubles or about 20 U.S. cents for a half-liter bottle, or about 5% of the minimum price of 349 rubles ($4.31). Fees for renewing driver’s licenses or getting an international license also are going up, and a key tax break on imported cars is being axed. The government is weighing a tech tax on digital equipment including smartphones and notebooks of up to 5,000 rubles ($61.50) for the highest priced items, the Kommersant news site reported.

The economic slowdown and tax increases are signs that Putin and ordinary Russians will face harder choices in the months ahead between guns and butter — that is, between military spending and consumer welfare after 3 1/2 years of war against Ukraine.

Tax increases bring dismay and shrugs
Muscovites interviewed on a main street in the Russian capital by The Associated Press expressed dismay mingled with resignation, saying the higher food prices would be widely felt, especially in poorer regions and among those with low incomes.

Pensioner Svetlana Martynova said making small businesses collect VAT would backfire.

“I think that small and medium businesses will fold,” she said. “The budget will get less, not more.”

On top of VAT, registering a car will cost more
The VAT increase comes on top of changes in the recycling fee paid for registering cars, a step that mostly hits high-priced imports. From Dec. 1 individuals can no longer get a concessionary rate of 3,400 rubles ($42) on cars with more than 160 horsepower, but must pay the commercial rate, which can be hundreds of thousands of rubles, or thousands of dollars, per car.

The step, however, was unlikely to boost investment in domestic manufacturing, given high central bank interest rates and the smaller size of the Russian market compared with neighboring China, now the source of most imported cars. That’s according to Andrei Olkhovsky, general director of Avtodom, a major auto dealer group.

As for customers, sales “will decline in the short term, but will recover to current levels within six months,” he said in an answer to emailed questions.

“Increased taxes and fees will influence prices for the end consumer,” he said. “Consumers in turn will factor this into their lifestyle and demand higher wages from their employers. This will increase the cost of everything around us.”

Slower economic growth pushes up the budget deficit
Russia’s economy shrank at the start of 2025 and is on course for growth this year of only around 1%, according to government estimates, after growing more than 4% in 2023 and 2024. Growth has suffered from high central bank interest rates, currently at 16.5%, aimed at controlling inflation of 8% fueled by massive military spending. Oil revenues are down about 20% this year mainly due to lower global prices, according to the Kyiv School of Economics Institute. Western sanctions imposed over the war against Ukraine have been an ongoing drag on growth by increasing costs and deterring investment that could expand the economy’s productive capacity.

As a result, this year’s budget deficit has been revised upward from 0.5% to 2.6%, up from 1.7% last year. That doesn’t seem huge in comparison with other countries — but unlike them, Russia can’t borrow on international bond markets and must rely on domestic banks for credit.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said raising revenue was preferable to increasing borrowing, saying excessive borrowing “would lead to a speeding up of inflation, and as a result, to an increase in the key rate” from the central bank that would hurt investment and growth.

The VAT increase could boost inflation at first as merchants change their price lists. But over the longer term, it could lower price pressures by dampening demand for goods — and help the central bank in its battle to keep inflation in check.

The Kremlin won’t run out of money but faces hard choices
The tax and fee increases are a step back from Russia’s wartime economy of the two previous years that put more money in people’s pockets. Then-higher prices for oil exports filled state coffers, while vast increases in military spending boosted hiring, and paychecks for factory workers kept pace with inflation. Along with that, military recruitment and death bonuses pumped cash into poorer regions.

Putin won’t run out of money in the short term, said Alexandra Prokopenko, fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin.

“Growth is slowing down, but corporates are paying taxes, people are consuming and getting salaries, and paying taxes from this,” she said. “For the coming 12 or 14 months, Putin has enough money to maintain the current war effort and the current level of expenditures.”

After that, she said, “he will need to make tough choices, trade-offs between maintaining military effort or, for example, maintaining consumer abundance so people won’t feel 100% that the war is going on.”

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russias-slowing-wartime-economy-pushes-kremlin-to-increase-taxes-and-fees~~~

But that's PBS. :)

Alexander Mercouris regularly posts detailed updates about the real state of the Russian Economy on The Duran (https://www.youtube.com/@TheDuran/videos) and also his own channel. (https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMercouris/videos) The Duran also quite often features Stanislav Krapivnik (whose own YouTube channel is here (https://www.youtube.com/@MrSlavikman/videos)), who is a fluent-English-speaking Russian supply chain executive and who laughs at western media suggestions that the Russian economy is 'slowing'.

Maria Zakharova also laughs, as in this brief summary report by Clayton Morris from Redacted, who (with a bunch of other western journalists) was able to pose questions to her in person:

Putin Spokesperson DROPS BOMBS: Maria Zakharova Tells Us What’s REALLY Happening in Russia & Ukraine


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgv_oS2gnBw

[Ravenlocke]

Brian McDonald

Nov 21
Russia’s Federal Tax Service says budget revenues for the first 10 months of 2025 hit 49 trillion rubles (about $612 billion). An 8% jump year-on-year. So, there's no signs of Moscow going broke anytime soon.

https://x.com/27khv/status/1991823391041675575

1991823391041675575

Brian McDonald

Nov 22
Niall Ferguson, no friend of Moscow by any stretch, lays out a few home truths about Russia’s economy. He warns that the fantasy of a country on the brink is exactly that: a fantasy.

Clip is from September, but the message is very relevant right now.

https://x.com/27khv/status/1992196495358009496
1992196495358009496

[Ravenlocke]

Vladimir Putin News

Nov 11
Russia is finalizing a groundbreaking law: stay-at-home moms will be recognized as officially employed, with maternity leave fully counting toward their pensions.

No more gaps in retirement savings for raising the next generation.

THIS is real support for women and families. 👏

https://x.com/vladimirputiniu/status/1988278467520328003

1988278467520328003


Victor vicktop55 commentary

Nov 23
A video of the unpacking of a box given to all mothers by the St. Petersburg City Council upon the birth of a child is going viral in the Western world.

Foreigners are shocked – they couldn't even imagine that maternity leave in Russia ranges from 140 to 194 days, parental leave is provided until the child reaches three years of age, maternity capital is paid, and newborns receive gifts.


https://x.com/vick55top/status/1992515186226233751

1992515186226233751

[Ravenlocke]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Nov 20
In the early 1960s, Soviet engineers drafted full blueprints for lunar bases. By 1967, the famous Project Zvezda laid out a chain of pressurized modules, energy stations, and lunar rovers meant to support long term life on the surface. Through the 70s and 80s, new designs appeared: underground habitats, automated mining stations, even early plans for extracting helium 3.

While the world remembers the flag on the Moon, the USSR was quietly sketching entire settlements. The race wasn’t just about getting there, but they were already planning how to stay.

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/1991566272941994461

1991566272941994461

[Ravenlocke]

Anatoly Zak
@

Roskosmos reports a successful launch of the Angara-1.2 rocket from Plesetsk with multiple payloads for the Ministry of Defense. This is the sixth mission of the light-weight vehicle.
DETAILS, UPDATES:

https://x.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1993321150647017894

1993321150647017894

This is also the 14th Russian orbital launch of 2025 and the 8th orbital mission originating from Plesetsk this year: https://russianspaceweb.com/2025.html

This is also the 12th launch for the Angara family since 2014: https://russianspaceweb.com/angara.html

https://x.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1993327187915612546

1993327187915612546

[Ravenlocke]

Anatoly Zak

Nov 13
Another (great) view of the Ekran-M experiment installation during the VKD-64 spacewalk last month: https://russianspaceweb.com/iss-vkd64.html

https://x.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1989143459282952619

1989143459282952619

[Agape]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Nov 21
Rostov Veliky, one of Russia’s oldest cities.
First mentioned in 862, it stood when most of Europe was still learning to read.

Once a major center of Rus’, home to princes, scribes, and traders.
Later, it became a spiritual stronghold with its own Kremlin (yes, Russia has many), rising above Lake Nero like something from an old epic.
And then came its signature enamel art.

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/1992094749566877886

1992094749566877886

I wonder if you would mind to find the original soundtrack from the video clip above.

If it's easy. It's definitely something I've heard before, can not recall the source.

Thankyou

🙏🌄✨It's this: :heart:

Улетай на крыльях ветра
(Fly away on the wings of the wind)
by Evgeniya Sotnikova

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music/v4/4f/13/ef/4f13effc-1324-fb2d-4c11-acd8dfb5e1b7/859712117472_cover.tif/400x400cc.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFrV9c6TYiA



Thank you Bill 🙏🪷🪐🎄💓💖


I will check it now ...


It's good ( such as, :) when was the last time the stars sang for you ). Gracias

[Ravenlocke]

Maimunka News

🇷🇺🎶 #Moscow clinics have their own atmosphere.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1993440683097833952

1993440683097833952

[Bill Ryan]

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/166326

Happy Thanksgiving! :heart::ROFL:



DDGeopolitics/166326

[Ravenlocke]

Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil

🇷🇺 Polina Gladkikh, a Russian girl from Gorlovka, amazed the audience on Blue Bird (Russian talent how)

The girl lost an arm and a leg during a shell strike. In the ICU, her first question was: “How will I be able to dance now?”

She learned to dance on prosthetics, proving that true talent cannot be stopped by tragedy… ❤️❤️

https://x.com/ivan_8848/status/1994739109533721046

1994739109533721046

[Ravenlocke]

Эра НЕмилосердия
@f61T8JlKLo3dBaW
·
20h
Translated from Russian
❤️ Happy Mother's Day!

From the bottom of our hearts, we congratulate all mothers of Russia! Your love is the foundation of our lives, your FAITH warms us, and your wisdom leads FORWARD.

We offer you a low bow, our dear ones. Good health, patience, spiritual warmth, and many long, happy years of life ❤️

https://x.com/f61T8JlKLo3dBaW/status/1994998505568702699

1994998505568702699

Bernadette 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇷🇺🇵🇸

Mother’s Day in Russia fighters convey words of love and gratitude to their mothers on this holiday.

https://x.com/BDooher/status/1995127077255651584

1995127077255651584

[Ravenlocke]

Russia SMO🇷🇺 🇷🇺

Wishing all the Russian mothers, old and young a beautiful Mother’s Day, you’re contribution to our society can’t be underestimated 🇷🇺❗️❤️

https://x.com/Ru_ZVZ/status/1995088904601674215

1995088904601674215

[Ravenlocke]

National Centre RUSSIA

❤️ The National Centre RUSSIA joins the global celebration of Mother's Day

Today, as the world celebrates Mother's Day, Russia joins millions of people in honouring the most precious women in our lives. Mothers are an eternal source of warmth, gentle support, and unconditional love, filling our hearts with joy and strength.

In Russia, as everywhere in the world, mothers are honoured with love and gratitude. They are our safe harbour, guiding star, and the ones who make everything possible.

Use this special day to tell your mother how much she means to you. Share your love, appreciation, and gratitude with her.

#gowithRussia #MothersDay #CelebratingWithLove #RussiaCelebrates #FamilyTime #MemoriesInTheMaking

https://x.com/gowithRussia/status/1995120463823999386

1995120463823999386

[Agape]

Hope someone also enjoys the following photo project:

Alexander Khimushin "40 thousand miles accross Siberia to photograph faces of the last indigenous tribes "

https://www.boredpanda.com/indigenous-people-siberia-alexander-khimushin/

Authors project with the United Nations

https://khimushin.com/

THE WORLD IN FACES




Amazing photos of various people :)

[Bill Ryan]

Hope someone also enjoys the following photo project:

Alexander Khimushin "40 thousand miles across Siberia to photograph faces of the last indigenous tribes "

https://www.boredpanda.com/indigenous-people-siberia-alexander-khimushin/


~~~

These are so breathtakingly beautiful I had to copy them here.

(This is the second part of his long journey. I'll post the photos from the first part soonest.)

I Travelled 40,000 km Across Siberia to Photograph its Indigenous People. One year later, here’s the result.

Hi! My name is Alexander Khimushin (https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fxperimenter). Nine years ago I packed my backpack to see the world and have been globe-trotting ever since visited 85 countries. While world traveling, I realized that people are the most amazing part of it.

Three and a half years ago I came up with an idea of the photo series 'The World In Faces' (https://www.boredpanda.com/the-world-in-faces-project-diversity-of-the-world-through-the-portraits-of-its-people/) that would celebrate the beauty and diversity of the world through the portraits of ordinary people. Especially from those remote places, where culture and traditions are still alive. Since then I have taken thousands of travel photography shots all over the world. For almost a year I have been photographing indigenous people of Siberia and Mongolia.

An enormous region, almost double the size of Australia and 30% larger than the United States, Canada, or the whole of Europe. Siberia is one of the world’s last frontiers of the unknown. No doubt, everyone heard that it is very cold and sparsely populated, but what do we know about the Siberian people living there?

To find out, I was driving behind an SUV wheel alone, covering around 40,000 km, and visited many remote locations across Siberia: from lake Baikal shores to the coast of Japan sea, from endless steppes of Mongolia to the coldest place on Earth - Yakutia. All with only one mission - to capture the faces and traditions of various groups of indigenous people living there in my interesting photos. While some of the ethnic groups are dominant in their regions, many others are on the edge of disappearance, with a total population as low as only a hundred people left. Until now they remain largely unknown to the outside world.

You have probably seen already the first part (https://www.boredpanda.com/indigenous-people-photography-siberia-alexander-khimushin/) of my portrait photography series from Siberia. Here is the second. More to come.

~~~

Even Little Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/001-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad09381fb__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Sakha Young Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/009-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad86e01dd__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Dukha Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/013-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70adbf99282__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Even Young Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/011-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ada26f915__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Ulchi Little Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/007-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad67267d7__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Oroqen Young Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/014-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70adce0b5a9__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Buryat Young Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/010-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad94c495b__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Uilta Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/023-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae56ebc24__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Sakha Young Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/020-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae2dea68e__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Yukagir Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/005-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad4b10a63__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Dolgan Young Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/003-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad2aa14eb__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Evenki Reindeer Herder


https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/002-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad1861ff6__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true

Comment from Lisa Greene (https://www.boredpanda.com/contributor/jynxee/) 7 years ago

Love these... i had a chance to meet some of the Sami people. The reindeer that they herd, use for food and clothing, and transportation are amazing animals. Their relationship with the reindeer and the environment is beautiful.


Buryat Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/021-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae3aa59c1__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Chukchi Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/017-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70adff3d117__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Negidal Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/026-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae8123cce__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Evenki Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/016-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70adf007e8b__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Evenki Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/012-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70adb012b14__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Udege Woman With Child

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/006-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad585a971__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Tofalar Boy

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/015-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ade08b7bd__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Taz Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/028-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae9db3b76__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Semeiskie Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/030-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70aebe11dfb__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Russkoustincy Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/024-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae68d0aa7__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Sakha Young Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/004-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad3ca6786__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Nivkh Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/008-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ad77b1e35__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Nanai Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/029-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70aeaee25b2__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Nanai Boy

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/019-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae20128e8__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Ulchi Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/022-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae4ad0bd2__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Udege Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/025-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae75b44e2__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Even Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/018-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae11e1705__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Orochi Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/027-alexander-khimushin-siberia-5a70ae9062934__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true

[Bill Ryan]

Here's the first part. :heart:

I Travelled 25000 km in Siberia to Photograph its Indigenous People. 6 months later, here’s the result

Hi! My name is Alexander Khimushin (https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fxperimenter). Nine years ago I packed my backpack to see the world and have been globe-trotting ever since visited 84 countries. While travelling the world, I realized that people are the most amazing part of it.

Three years ago I came up with an idea of the photo project 'The World In Faces' (https://www.boredpanda.com/the-world-in-faces-project-diversity-of-the-world-through-the-portraits-of-its-people/) that would celebrate beauty and diversity of the world through the portraits of ordinary people. Especially from those remote places, where culture and traditions are still alive. Since then I have taken thousands of portraits all over the world. Last six months I photographed indigenous people of Siberia.

An enormous region, almost a double size of Australia and 30% larger than the United States, Canada or the whole Europe. Siberia is one of the world’s last frontiers of the unknown. No doubt, everyone heard that it is very cold and sparsely populated, but what do we know about people living there?

During my half-a-year-long solo journey, I covered 25,000 km to visit many remote locations across Siberia: from lake Baikal shores to the coast of Japan sea, from endless steppes of Mongolia to the coldest place on Earth - Yakutia. All with only one mission - to capture faces and traditions of various groups of indigenous people living there. While some of the ethnic groups are dominant in their regions, many others are on the edge of disappearance, with a total population as low as only a hundred people left. They remain largely unknown to the outside world.

More info: khimushin.com (https://khimushin.com/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftheworldinfaces) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theworldinfaces/)

~~~

Dolgan Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594769b8d75e9__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Ulchi Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59478a2bf19d6__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true

Comment from Agnes Jekyll (https://www.boredpanda.com/contributor/leannemariedantoni/) 8 years ago
That coat she's wearing is incredible...i imagine its waterproof? So interesting how she's incorporated silks and cotton.


Sakha Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-5947694643a77__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true




Evenki Little Reindeer Herder

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476f8946a8b__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Ulchi Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476ed28cfd6__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true




Evenki Elder

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594768600f479__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Uilta Little Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594769d0d5d67__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Sakha Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476778321ee__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Evenki Little Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476976dc765__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Nivkhi Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-5947895c74425__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Soyot Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594789aae4fd1__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Evenki Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476ace42d52__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Buryat Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-5947680fb592b__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Buryat Shaman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476aada39da__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Tazy Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476a9088b21__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Ainu Young Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476e1cc592d__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Negidal Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476a18c049b__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Oroqen Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476830650c6__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Evenki Mother With Baby

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594769f3361bc__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Russkoustintsy Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476f119c78f__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Shenehen Buryat Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476e384e495__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Chukcha Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476f6d07959__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Yukagir Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594768e16b7e2__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Buryat Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594768c46b064__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Even Young Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476883a827f__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Ulchi Young Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476df6cd1dd__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true




Nanai Girl

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476b0459d93__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Udege Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594769285bc41__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Semeyskie Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476a4bdefd0__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true

[Bill Ryan]

(continued)


Tofalar Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-5947690e08f27__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Orochi Woman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476a31b9f14__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Udege Shaman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476e90c3df4__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Tuvan Mongolian Man

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-594769950963f__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Yakut Shaman

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476e6e6e068__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true


Buryat Gelugpa Monk

https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/35-Portraits-Of-Amazing-Indigenous-People-of-Siberia-From-My-The-World-In-Faces-Project-59476eaf97615__880.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true

[Tintin]

This appears to be a fairly honest assessment of how most Russians are viewing the new war and post war taxes.

Russia’s slowing wartime economy pushes Kremlin to increase taxes and fees

~~~

But that's PBS. :)

Alexander Mercouris regularly posts detailed updates about the real state of the Russian Economy on The Duran (https://www.youtube.com/@TheDuran/videos) and also his own channel. (https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMercouris/videos) The Duran also quite often features Stanislav Krapivnik (whose own YouTube channel is here (https://www.youtube.com/@MrSlavikman/videos)), who is a fluent-English-speaking Russian supply chain executive and who laughs at western media suggestions that the Russian economy is 'slowing'.

Maria Zakharova also laughs, as in this brief summary report by Clayton Morris from Redacted, who (with a bunch of other western journalists) was able to pose questions to her in person:

Putin Spokesperson DROPS BOMBS: Maria Zakharova Tells Us What’s REALLY Happening in Russia & Ukraine


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgv_oS2gnBw

Yes, and I'll leave interested viewers to provide a longform interpretation of the PBS acronym :)

Give us strength :facepalm:

[Ravenlocke]

RussiaNews 🇷🇺

Nov 13
🚨⚡️ The Soviet Deep Space Monster! 📡🇷🇺

An astonishing shot of the giant RT-64 radio telescope in Kalyazin, Russia.

This massive dish, with a diameter of 64 meters, is the cornerstone of the Russian network for deep space communications and stands as a symbol of Russian scientific and technological power in exploring the universe.

https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1989222121147646183

1989222121147646183

[Ravenlocke]

❀𐂂𝐀𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨 𝐝𝐚 𝐄𝐭𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐚𐂂❀

Translated from Portuguese
❁ Credits: A Buryat girl wearing traditional attire amidst the frozen beauty of Lake Baikal, in Siberia.

According to a Buryat legend, Lake Baikal was formed from the tears of an old man mourning the escape of his daughter, Angara.

Photographer: Daniel Kordan📸❤️✨

https://x.com/etnologiaart/status/1950614461418459412

1950614461418459412

[Bill Ryan]

More about the Reindeer herders in Yakutia. Copying this post by Bluegreen on his thread: (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?3596-Up-At-The-Ranch-And-Beyond&p=1693891&viewfull=1#post1693891)

~~~

Unbelievable Life of Nomads Surviving –71°C in the Arctic Tundra | Yakutia

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qEBlMQiaIh4/hqdefault_279833.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNACELwBSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLAzE-z7kpy9A3n6z_KXJRPLe7xAZw

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qEBlMQiaIh4/hqdefault_395766.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNACELwBSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLCItqHpdqYxGX03hdtaVsX7AxlV9A

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qEBlMQiaIh4/hqdefault_707166.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNACELwBSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLBeLYg4HOCDnygWp2d5-jw8wY7Rqg

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qEBlMQiaIh4/hqdefault_611133.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNACELwBSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLDdHPS7xFVHfkEK6cVORXTCbl2Fyw

Chapters:
0:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4) Morning Routine in the Tundra
2:44 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=164s) Where Do They Get Drinking Water?
4:13 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=253s) Dressing for –71°C: Reindeer Fur Boots, Coat & Pants
4:48 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=288s) Building and Heating a Home in Extreme Cold
6:21 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=381s) Chopping Firewood for Survival
7:05 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=425s) Cooking Blood Sausage — A Traditional Dish
8:43 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=523s) Managing Reindeer: Herding, Tracking & Healing
9:48 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=588s) How They Shower
11:44 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=704s) Doing Laundry
12:49 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=769s) How They Have Fun in the Tundra
14:08 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=848s) Lunch Time
14:35 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=875s) Crafting Reindeer Fur Boots by Hand
16:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=960s) Butchering Reindeer Meat
17:10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEBlMQiaIh4&t=1030s) Making Dinner: Fresh Bread & Reindeer Meat

(English subtitles)
Published 12th June 2025

qEBlMQiaIh4
This is the real life of one of the last nomadic reindeer herding families in Yakutia. All year round, they roam the Arctic tundra with their reindeer—through unimaginable conditions where temperatures plunge as low as –71°C. They live in tents, far from civilization, surviving in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. To stay warm, they rely on a small metal stove, feeding it constantly with firewood to avoid freezing.

This way of life is not only extreme—it's dangerous, raw, and deeply rooted in tradition. Even children, like 11-year-old Saiaan, help with daily tasks and learn the ancient skills needed to survive. Despite the brutal cold, this family carries on a way of life passed down through generations—resilient, proud, and deeply connected to their culture.

[Bill Ryan]

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/166971
A light show on Palace Square in St. Petersburg to mark the 185th anniversary of Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

DDGeopolitics/166971

[Ravenlocke]

RT

Dec 7
Good old Russian Siberia

A full-blown snow apocalypse has hit the Sheregesh ski resort

Locals are happily switching to dog sleds, while cars lie completely buried — waiting to be dug out

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1997679988032811461

1997679988032811461

Russian Road

Dec 8
A snow apocalypse has struck the Kemerovo ski resort Sheregesh, Russia☃️

People are switching to dog sleds and skis, while tourists are unable to leave. Cars are completely buried in snow and have to be dug out. Rescuers are also helping those who have fallen into deep snowdrifts.

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/1998003757376757779

1998003757376757779

[Ravenlocke]

(Figure skater of Russian descent who lives in the States.)

Russian Road

Dec 7
⛸️ 7 quadruple jumps! World record! Ilya Malinin 🇷🇺

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/1997696328890253568

1997696328890253568

[Ravenlocke]

Maimunka News

Dec 7
❤️ GOOD MORNING ❤️

🎄 One of the most Christmas-y location in #Moscow was found in the garden of the Sklifosovsky Emergency Medical Institute. #Russia

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1997889040826372286

1997889040826372286

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/Belka_r/status/1997781878703861776

1997781878703861776

[Ravenlocke]

Maimunka News

‼️🇷🇺 Sergei #Lavrov addressed the organizers, participants, and guests of the X International #Kremlin Charity Cadet Ball

Your wonderful project unites, in the welcoming pre-New Year's Moscow, students of military educational institutions and schools with cadet classes, as well as activists of patriotic, volunteer, youth, and sports organizations from Russia and abroad.

It's hard to overestimate its contribution to ensuring the connection between times and generations, preserving and popularizing the rich historical heritage of our country, its glorious military traditions.

It's important that in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, you pay special attention to the defenders of the Fatherland, especially participants of the special military operation, as well as their relatives and loved ones.

I'm sure: the solemn evening will once again be a success, serving to promote the enduring spiritual and moral values in our society - mercy, valor, love for the Motherland. #Russia

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1998807248815141309

1998807248815141309



RT

Record 3,400 young cadets celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Intl Kremlin Charity Cadet Ball

Ladies put on gorgeous dresses and men their strapping uniforms

Putin marked the event for fostering patriotism, traditional spiritual and moral values among Russian and foreign youth

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1998782605227946456

1998782605227946456

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

🇷🇺
A coffee shop in the Dagestan mountains

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/1998822513028304937

1998822513028304937

[Ravenlocke]

DD Geopolitics
@DD_Geopolitics
·
30m
🇷🇺 ATTACK IN ST. PETERSBURG

A massive blaze has engulfed the Pravoberezhny Market in St. Petersburg.

Local authorities report at least one fatality and multiple injuries, with witnesses describing several explosions as the fire tore through stalls packed with highly flammable goods.

The fire has already spread across 1,500+ square meters, and emergency crews are still battling the flames.

Developing situation.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1998835298206441908

1998835298206441908

[Bill Ryan]

More about winter in Yakutia, which I love reading about:

How We Drive a Car at −71°C (−95°F) | Yakutia, Siberia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH6r6J3WsDk

[Agape]

There is something I have recalled of recent looking for ET encounters in OBNINSK
which had the first grid connected nuclear power plant in the world that is closed since 1987 ,
allegedly worked without accident .

Near there is a town of Yasnaya Polyana, the birth place of Leo Tolstoy.

We have visited there on two weeks exchange school trip in 1986 or 1987,
for some reason the 2 years after I've entered 5th grade proved sublimely loaded.
One of my first clear contact events happened in the same time frame.

In gist, me and my class won arts competition called the "Pushkins Memorial" or something like that, that had several categories , poetry recitation , stage play , even ballet.

Since I have always loved poetry and my mum too loved all worlds poetry,
I scored 2nd in individuals and our class performed very silly gig play called "the 3 pigs" ( don't dare to look it up on the internet , hope no one has ever uploaded it :)).

As a reward for all the effort we have received some toys ( literally ) and exchange trip with one of their prestige language schools in Moscow.

Their school curriculum was even more loaded than ours since they had also French and were very serious students , compared to most of us.

So this was done during holidays.

We have visited countless museums, some orthodox temples ( since our teacher was a believer) , wooden villages in countryside that seemed centuries apart but were inhabited by real people.

Everything was little large.

Now, the "fun part", their life was incredibly austere , willingly or not , there was not much in the supermarket shelves .
My contact family friend was a girl named Masha as in Maria and I have some doubts if she is alive now. She looked so very serious for her age.

Her parents weren't "in" for the party, father was a pilot and mum was doctor and she had younger brother too. They all lived in 2 room flat in Moscow that was almost barren save for beds , simple kitchen table and equipment , small hallway ,
tiny photocopy of the Sunflowers from Van Gogh hanging on empty wall.
Her brother may have survived who would remember that.

They all looked ill and more likely starved.

They fed us "normal meal" on the weekend I was in , even took out out to restaurant at their own expense and took us to grandma on the other weekend .
Very kind and worried about the country and the fate of the world. Very aware but frightened of the "invisible hand" pulling the strings at all times.

It always did they said, since the Tzar and since anyone remembers . They've called the grandmothers for the witnesses since they lived long and had all the memories.


Stark contrast to the museums filled with art and light.


Most of our children lost weight after the summer, mum put me under hospital observation for two weeks, my pet bird died but I've signed myself off any intervention with the doctors since I could and returned to school as usually and put it all on back burner.

I was 11 or 12 , turning , in that year and it was a hard lesson to take in.


The only "duty free" item we could have bought with sense was "alarmclock for grandpa".

The stores were mostly empty. Other than few simple items there was nothing to buy.


With holy exception of Arbat , the famed walking zone ( notoriously known to philosophers and poets of all times by the same question "Citizen what are you doing here, in this hour ? Just walking. " where it was possible to get a handicraft for friendly price.

It was possibly always little "easier" out there in the countryside.


Ok they took us to swimming pool .

Give them ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨



Edit . Masha explained to me that the wages were so low they could eat "normal size family meal" about once a week . On the rest of the week days there was usually "some bread" for her brother , some soup , porridge . The schools meals were nearly tasteless and equally pitiable.

Our teacher fed us smoked salmon at her own risk through out the trip .


lBgs5L6KyJo

[Jaak]

Sokurov confronted Putin about censorship, foreign agents, and education in Russia.
This video features the full, uncut recording of Alexander Sokurov's resonant speech, in which the director dared to confront Putin with the truth about the situation in the country. Sokurov raised the most painful and often hushed-up issues: stifling cultural censorship, the discriminatory status of foreign agents that ruins lives, and the systemic crisis of Russian education. Recorded December 9, 2025.
TyaKYyBf2Ss

1999486090831626610

[Bill Ryan]

Russia has a Day of The Bear. (Who knew?? :heart:)
It's primarily celebrated in Kamchatka, in the Russian Far East.

An interesting article on TASS:
Russia's Kamchatka celebrates Day of the Bear (https://tass.com/economy/974268)

And this was posted on DD Geopolitics:

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/167350
TASS shares bear pictures. December 13 is Bear Day in Russia

The date is tied to the natural cycle: by mid-December, brown bears typically retreat to their dens for hibernation

Within Slavic and Finno-Ugric cultures, the bear was traditionally known as "master of the forest" as it was considered the strongest and most dominant animal, the progenitor of humans, and a guardian of fertility

This reverence is mirrored in folklore: in fairy tales and legends, the bear often appears as wise, powerful, yet kind-hearted and fair.

DDGeopolitics/167350

[Mike]

More about winter in Yakutia, which I love reading about:

How We Drive a Car at −71°C (−95°F) | Yakutia, Siberia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH6r6J3WsDk


Maybe the most remarkable thing about this video is that I never once saw anyone shudder or rub their hands together or even betray any discomfort whatsoever :)

[rgray222]

More about winter in Yakutia, which I love reading about:

How We Drive a Car at −71°C (−95°F) | Yakutia, Siberia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH6r6J3WsDk


Maybe the most remarkable thing about this video is that I never once saw anyone shudder or rub their hands together or even betray any discomfort whatsoever :)

In 1999, I was staying in Ristiina, Finland, a small, quaint town just outside Mikkeli in Eastern Finland, about 90 miles from the Russian border. The home had forced-air heat, two beautiful, large ceramic ovens that we cooked on and that also heated the house, and triple-pane windows. Outside, it was -47°C (-52°F), and I was still cold. I can only assume that these guys had enough antifreeze in them to ward off the cold - there is reason and purpose for vodka.

[Bill Ryan]

HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended. :heart:
(Trust me! :P)

Russians from all over the country sing 'The Motherland'


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPgcvTgbfhI

[Ravenlocke]

Anna Ilyasova 🇷🇺 🇷🇺

Dec 11
Everyone is invited to Russia

At least once in your life take the train from St Petersburg to Vladivistok !

https://x.com/Ana_Ilyasova/status/1999089373648933172

1999089373648933172

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/Ana_Ilyasova/status/1999651375265800545

1999651375265800545



Anna Ilyasova 🇷🇺 🇷🇺

·
Dec 14
Kronstadt. Navy Nikolsky Cathedral (Navy Cathedral of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker,

https://x.com/Ana_Ilyasova/status/2000275319207723196

2000275319207723196

[Bill Ryan]

More about winter in Yakutia, which I love reading about:
And even more, this time a Yakutsk market:
("There's no bad weather, only bad clothing" :heart:)

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/167659

DDGeopolitics/167659

[Ravenlocke]

The republic of Karelia in Northern Russia, travel blog by Alina Lipp

Alina Lipp

Dec 15
Translated from German
❄️☃️ Karelia Travel Report - what did I like, what not? What inconveniences should you expect? 🚗
For those of you who, after watching my videos from wintery Karelia in northern Russia, have also developed an interest in traveling there - you can forget about luxury vacations right away. The hotels are clean, but rather modest. The service is also modest, though of course there are exceptions here too.

In return, though, you get to see breathtaking places, masses of snow, and animals that you otherwise only know from fairy tale films or Bullabü.

My highlight: Sled ride with dogs!

Regarding the videos:

https://x.com/Alina_Lipp_X/status/2000532233195544656

2000532233195544656

Alina Lipp

Dec 12
Translated from German
🇷🇺❄️ Winter Fairy Tale Land Karelia in Northern Russia - First Impressions from Petrozavodsk! The first two days of the trip through the Republic of Karelia, I was staying in Petrozavodsk on Lake Onega. In the video, you can see the surrounding beautiful monasteries that I visited and impressions of the icy landscape at -15 degrees. Dressed warmly, the temperatures were quite bearable. However, the first attempts to breathe through the mouth ended with coughing - better to inhale through the nose!

https://x.com/Alina_Lipp_X/status/1999576390849458285

1999576390849458285


Alina Lipp

Dec 15
Translated from German
Winter Fairy Tale Land Karelia - Part 4

In the icy north Russian Karelia, at -30 degrees, I encountered snow foxes, moose, reindeer... and camels. Additionally, I show you a beautiful park with waterfalls and an impressive marble quarry.

Watch Parts 1-3 here

https://x.com/Alina_Lipp_X/status/2000530729587916873

2000530729587916873


Paul Stonehill video about the 1100 petroglyphs found at lake Onega, which is the second largest lake in Europe, can be found here,

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?1383-The-Continuing-Search-For-The-Truth&p=1695831&viewfull=1#post1695831

[Ravenlocke]

Alina Lipp

Dec 14
Translated from German
Winter Fairy Tale Land Karelia - Part 3
Dog Sledding 🐕
On the third day of my journey through northern Russian Karelia, I actually went sledding with dogs. In the video, you can see the "village" of the sled dogs as well as the ultimate ride.

To be honest, I wondered to what extent it is species-appropriate to have the dogs pull one tourist after another for hours on end. In fact, however, the dogs are extremely energetic and absolutely wild about running - sometimes you had to hold them back from just taking off if they weren't next in line yet.

A one-of-a-kind experience 🥰🐶

https://x.com/Alina_Lipp_X/status/2000292252556337353

2000292252556337353

[Ravenlocke]

Alina Lipp

Translated from German
-45 Degrees in Yakutsk, Russia 🥶 Life goes on normally!

https://x.com/Alina_Lipp_X/status/2001381608159629737

2001381608159629737

[Ravenlocke]

Russian Road

"I like the Russian mentality!"

🇫🇷 Frederic Andrieu is a French chef living in the small Russian town of Pereslavl-Zalessky. He appreciates the straightforwardness of people in Russia: "They won't stab you in the back." However, there is one thing about Russians that Frederic does not like...

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/2001606606446825520

2001606606446825520

[Ravenlocke]

StellaMoscow

Dec 22
Matvey #Vetlugin performed to the Russian Imperial anthem, "God Save the Tsar!"

Divine quadruple flip!!!

He landed three quadruple flips!
#2026RussianFigureSkatingChampionships.

#Russia #SaintPetersburg

https://x.com/SgforgoodStella/status/2003026419463688589

2003026419463688589

[Bill Ryan]

New Year in Saint Petersburg: :stars::shooting star:

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/168178

DDGeopolitics/168178

[Ravenlocke]

DD Geopolitics

Dec 24
🇷🇺✝️ Check out Russia's largest Catholic Church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2004017251477815649

2004017251477815649

[Bill Ryan]

Moscow rescuers in Father Frost costumes organized a surprise for the youngest patients of the Morozov Hospital.

:heart:

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/168228

DDGeopolitics/168228

[Ravenlocke]

Matreshka 🌺 🇷🇺🇰🇿🇨🇦

Yamal #Russia ❤️

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/2004602756775194761

2004602756775194761

https://x.com/NinaByzantina/status/1855017863268253878

1855017863268253878

Chay Bowes

Jan 12
The people of Russias Arctic in the Yamal region

Incredible place. "Sasha meets Russia" an American girl travelling Russia, met the people living there.

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1878581201205858429

1878581201205858429


Russian Road

Dec 23
Yamal, Russia❄️

Hospitable and hardworking people who deeply value their land live in this harsh region of the Far North, where the average annual temperature is negative, the aurora borealis sparkles and permafrost stretches. Yamal is a true treasure trove of nature and culture, where the traditions of the people are preserved in a harsh climate.

📷@zodyakuz

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/2003387235446517807

2003387235446517807

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

Christmas Tree of Desires is an action in Russia. This is when senior officials fulfill the wishes of children, like a real one Grandfather Moroz. If you really want to, you can fly into space. And also to see someone who has already succeeded! Varya Smakhtina,

a girl from Moscow, dreamed of this. On the eve of the New Year, the President of Russia, who participates in the "Wish Tree" campaign, helped organize a meeting with the cosmonaut for her!
Little dreamer Varya visited Cosmonauts' Star City, where she talked with Oleg Kononenko,

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2004392406423421192

2004392406423421192

Hero of Russia, commander of the cosmonaut squadron and current Russian cosmonaut. The doors of the space flight control center in the city of Korolev opened for the dreamer Varya, where she was able to contact the ISS crew,

sat in a training centrifuge and received a gift from Dmitry Bakanov, Director General of the Roscosmos State Corporation. Varya later told Vladimir Putin about her impressions over the phone.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2004392415915036945

2004392415915036945

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

Lena Bridge is located about 40 kilometers outside the city of Yakutsk, upstream of the Lena River. The label on the map indicates the technological site where these welders work. The nearest settlement is the village of Old Tabaga. The bridge is planned to be built before 2028.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2004387594206171541

2004387594206171541

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

🇷🇺 In December 2025, Roscosmos signed a government contract with NPO Lavochkin to carry out work until 2036 on the creation of a Russian lunar power plant. Terms of the contract implementation: 2025-2036. Purpose of the lunar power plant: long-term energy supply to consumers
🧵

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2004108793379279033

2004108793379279033

(lunar rovers, observatory) of the Russian Lunar Program, as well as infrastructure facilities of the International Scientific Lunar Station. Spacecraft development, ground‑based experimental testing, flight tests, and infrastructure deployment on the Moon will be completed.

The new project is an important step towards the creation of a permanently functioning scientific lunar station and the transition from one—time missions to a long-term lunar exploration program. Project participants: Roscosmos, Rosatom, Kurchatov Institute.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2004108801495167374

2004108801495167374

[Ravenlocke]

British man in Russia,

Михаил Ключинский 🇷🇺 ☭ ✯ 🇩🇪

Dec 22
Translated from Russian
Hometown.

When I'm in St. Petersburg, I always come to eat "on the house" on Nevsky Prospect.

https://x.com/mischkus1/status/2003213760698442073

2003213760698442073

[Ravenlocke]

Maimunka News

‼️🇷🇺❄️ Snow, lights, and coziness in the heart of #Russia: Muscovites and guests of the capital talk about the simple and most important things they expect from the #NewYear #NewYear2026
https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/2006484414528892971

2006484414528892971

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

🇷🇺 🎅🎄 ❄️ 🎁 🎀 ⛄

Russia: Xmas and New Year decorations⬇️

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2006435313019924727

2006435313019924727


https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2006436763955507240

2006436763955507240


https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2006437574219542557

2006437574219542557

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2006440398017933772

2006440398017933772

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2006443877998407912

2006443877998407912

[Ravenlocke]

Christopher Helali

Russia is DANCING while the EU is CRYING! 🇷🇺

https://x.com/ChrisHelali/status/2006346442550784184

2006346442550784184

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

🇷🇺 🍊 ❄️ Famous Russian blogger from Yakutia, Yakut Alexey Basylaev: fruits in Yakutsk — a box of tangerines for 900 rubles ($11).

Outside -50 °C = -58 °F


https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2006346580631372208

2006346580631372208

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

🇷🇺 ⛸️ Tamara Moskvina (b. 1941) 6-time USSR champion, vice-champion of the world and Europe.
She is still skating!

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2006283912432193953
2006283912432193953

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

Dec 29
🇷🇺 🦭 Ice-hole swimming is common in Russia; people who do this are called walruses.
It's dangerous for the unprepared ones

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2005865429491654733

2005865429491654733

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

Dec 29
🇷🇺 ❄️ Yakutia: snow sculpture, a low-slung Asian horse

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2005910292065132547

2005910292065132547

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

Dec 30
🇷🇺 🐻‍❄️ A polar bear meets a Russian icebreaker in the Arctic

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2005939913561083936

2005939913561083936

[Ravenlocke]

Chay Bowes

Dec 30
New Year or "новый год" is the big celebration here in Russia.

Across the biggest country on Earth family's and friends are preparing for the big night.

To all my Dear friends here and across the world Happy New Year to you all.

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/2005995084404375903

2005995084404375903

[rgray222]

Leonid and Friends are comprised of some of the best studio musicians on the planet. They are a tribute band playing songs from Chicago, Earth, Wind and Fire and many other wonderful bands. I actually believe that their talent allows them to sound as good, if not better than, the original groups. Of course, modern equipment has a lot to do with it. The band used to make their home in Russia, where their studio is located. The genius behind Leonid & Friends is Leonid Vorobyev, a Russian-born musician, choir conductor, and recording studio sound engineer who founded the band in 2014. He is the guy playing base guitar.

The situation for the members of Leonid & Friends has been significantly impacted by the war in Ukraine. The band, which is composed of musicians from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus, has faced major disruptions due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

FB-nXQc6LMU

Serge Tiagnyriadno, the Ukrainian vocalist, left the band in April 2022 to remain in Kyiv and support his elderly parents and community during the conflict. He has since stayed in Ukraine, volunteering, helping neighbors, and sharing information about the war on social media, despite enduring intense shelling. His departure was a direct result of the war, and he has not returned to performing with the band.

Other band members, primarily based in Moscow, have continued to perform and tour, including appearances in the United States and other international locations. However, the band has had to adapt to the changing circumstances, with some members stepping away or being replaced. For example, Sergey Kashirin, the lead guitarist, left the band in 2021, citing personal career decisions, though this occurred before the full-scale invasion.

YHRt_EtbzdY
Despite these changes, the band continues to perform and promote peace through music. In 2023, they performed in Savannah, Georgia, where they delivered a message of unity and peace, emphasizing music as a bridge over troubled waters. The band remains active, with new members joining and touring schedules continuing, though the original lineup has been altered due to the war's impact.

3RqgoH6Yt3c
Bl75QotCoK4

[Ravenlocke]

Brian McDonald

Lunch at Moscow’s Central House of Scientists... Soviet canteen prices served beneath chandeliers and marble brought from Italy. $7 for the lot. Only here can you dine like a pauper and feel like an aristocrat in the same mouthful.

https://x.com/27khv/status/2007077919537987744

2007077919537987744

[Ravenlocke]

Etna

Translated from Russian
“This is how the residents of our building welcome the New Year.
Siberia ❄️☃️»
🎥 elena_chernova_29 ig

https://x.com/Etnaetoya/status/2007062459035570621

2007062459035570621

[Ravenlocke]

Russian Road

🇺🇸American Justus Walker has been living in Russia for many years. He and his wife Rebecca left the USA to build their dream farm.

When asked how to move to Russia, he surprisingly advises foreigners against it. He urges them to first figure out why they want to move, what exactly they are running away from.

Don't miss this incredible story about a father of many children, a caring husband, and a farmer who lives so far away that it's extremely difficult to reach him. And of course, enjoy the stunning beauty of winter Altai!🙌

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/2007106860248342690

2007106860248342690

[Ravenlocke]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Dec 31, 2025
How New Year was celebrated in the USSR. Of course, Western media never showed you this because then you'd realize that Soviet children and adults lived the same kind of life you did: full of joy, traditions, and family celebrations.

And now you'll discover that the Russian Santa Claus has a granddaughter, Snegurochka, and they both come on New Year's Eve, not Christmas.

Happy upcoming New Year, friends! 🎄

La-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
Eh, eh-eh, eh-eh

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/2006395482797744458

2006395482797744458

[Ravenlocke]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Grocery store in Russia

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/2006987172419875206

2006987172419875206

[Ravenlocke]

Brian McDonald

Dec 31, 2025
It’s so cold in St Petersburg that even the ice has started organising itself into little marching formations on the Neva River. Huge slabs drifting together like a frozen jigsaw, and the temperature’s still dropping tonight. -14°C (6°F) is forecast.

https://x.com/27khv/status/2006436057764815121

2006436057764815121

Brian McDonald

Dec 31, 2025
Heavy snow has brought 2014 Olympics host city Sochi to a halt. Visitors say traffic in parts of the Krasnaya Polyana resort has “just frozen”, with people walking along the road because cars aren’t moving at all.

https://x.com/27khv/status/2006370839214862383

2006370839214862383



Brian McDonald

Snowmageddon in Russia’s normally warm southern Kuban: around 30,000 residents of Krasnodar Krai have been without electricity for a third day after heavy snowstorms. A state of emergency is in place in Apsheronsky District, with heating shelters opened as repair crews work in harsh conditions.

https://x.com/27khv/status/2007064405922414911

2007064405922414911

[Ravenlocke]

Margarita Simonyan

Translated from Russian

At the fairy-tale RT skating rink in Shanghai, Olympic champion Alina Zagitova skated to the live accompaniment of the famous Chinese pianist-virtuoso Lang Lang.

On New Year's Eve, the figure skater's performance was broadcast on China's national television.

Well done, team.

https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/2007070824860360735

2007070824860360735

[Ravenlocke]

алентина Грачилоа Акира💙 🇷🇺☦️🇷🇺💙

Translated from Russian
🇷🇺 🎶 🇷🇺 🎶
Russian folklore, a famous symbol of traditional Russia and a very beautiful dance, the strongest eternal 🇷🇺😍❤️
#Russian #Folku #Russia #Moscow #SaintPétersbourg #Kremlin ❤️🇷🇺🎶😍

https://x.com/GraciloaVal79/status/2007178045728403793

2007178045728403793

[Ravenlocke]

RT

Dec 17, 2025
Viktoria Kravchenko, a 20-year-old Russian aerobatic pilot, is going viral for her precision flying

One of the youngest in her field, she specializes in Yak-series aircraft and competes in aerobatic events

https://x.com/RT_com/status/2001322900326895742

2001322900326895742


Leandro Romão 🇵🇹

At just 20 years old, Russian aerobatic 🇷🇺 pilot Victoria Kravchenko 😍 stuns audiences worldwide with razor-sharp Yak aircraft ✈️ maneuvers that push the limits of gravity


https://x.com/leandroOnX/status/2002809733707858068

2002809733707858068

[Ravenlocke]

Dmitry Medvedev

Happy Orthodox Christmas, Russian world!

https://x.com/MedvedevRussiaE/status/2008597481404481845

2008597481404481845

[Ravenlocke]

Maria Zakharova (Commentary)

#MariaTelegram
#Zakharova
Maria Zakharova, 6 January

And here's the church in the village of Vertlino, rebuilt from ruins by Father Dionysius and his flock.
🎄

👉 https://vertlino.tilda.ws/#rec460764258
👉 https://t.me/s/MariaVladimirovnaZakharova

https://x.com/_MariaZakharova/status/2008528956426010723

2008528956426010723

[Ravenlocke]

Kirill Dmitriev
Merry Orthodox Christmas to everyone celebrating! ☦️✨

Wishing you peace, health, and joy for you and your loved ones — and a season that brings us Light. 🕯️🕊️

https://x.com/kadmitriev/status/2008734253115462041

2008734253115462041

[Agape]

Rina Lu🇷🇺

Grocery store in Russia

https://x.com/rinalu_/status/2006987172419875206

2006987172419875206

I've seen the new Russian kids who arrive in India are still very lean compared to current European averages. They allege the food up there in the north is great but the prices are too high.

Explains why is the supermarket sort of vacant , this time of customers.


🐕 Digit or doggit

[rgray222]

It is extremely hard to find real news in real time about Russia. I find that the Website Meduza (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meduza) is a valuable source of information. Frequently, you can find news about Russia that is not printed elsewhere. If you have any doubts about the veracity of the information, you can always attempt to verify it with other sources. Of course, this should be done with all news sources, especially the BBC, NBC, CNN, FOX, etc.

In 2014, Galina Timchenko (the site's founder and owner) was fired from her job as chief editor at Lenta.ru by oligarch Alexander Mamut, a supporter of Vladimir Putin, after she had interviewed Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh. She launched the new webpage Meduza on 25 October 2014. Several former journalists of Lenta.ru joined the new online site. The site is based in Riga, Latvia, primarily made up of Russian journalists reporting on Russia.

For the record, at one time, Meduza received funding from programs supported by the U.S. government. In February 2025, it was reported that Meduza had received approximately 15 percent of its annual budget from initiatives funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This funding came to a halt when the Trump administration abruptly suspended all foreign assistance.

Here is some news that you are not going to read elsewhere about Russian and please feel free to verify the facts as you should do with all news sources.

What’s changing in Russia in 2026?

Russia’s conscription system becomes year-round

https://meduza.io/impro/YXdUSs2CQCj3U5uRrMwdyxCJ5r-blxn6zw4KqYF_q9s/resizing_type:fit/width:980/height:0/enlarge:1/quality:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWR1/emEuaW8vaW1hZ2Uv/YXR0YWNobWVudHMv/aW1hZ2VzLzAxMS84/NDkvMzA0L29yaWdp/bmFsL0s2REJoMnJx/NjNqdF9waTAxTUFK/NWc.webp
Russian conscripts say goodbye to their loved ones at a train station in Kazan. November 20, 2025.

At the very end of 2025, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree mandating that Russian conscription offices operate year-round, rather than only during the country’s traditional spring and fall draft campaigns. From January 1 through December 31, 2026, the military plans to conscript 261,000 men for compulsory service.

Avoiding conscription is also set to become harder once a new digital system for automatically imposing restrictions on conscripts who ignore military summonses becomes fully operational.

Minimum prices for hard liquor rise again

Beginning January 1, 2026, vodka may no longer be sold for less than 409 rubles ($5.11) for a half-liter bottle — an increase of 50 rubles ($0.62). The minimum price for a half-liter of brandy rose to 605 rubles ($7.56, up 133 rubles, or $1.66), while cognac now has a floor price of 755 rubles ($9.43, up 104 rubles, or $1.30).

The Finance Ministry order setting these minimum alcohol prices is formally in effect through December 31, 2031. In practice, however, it is reviewed annually — and the minimum retail price for vodka has risen steadily every year since 2015.

VAT increases to 22 percent

As of January 1, 2026, Russia’s value-added tax rose from 20 percent to 22 percent. The reduced 10 percent rate for socially essential goods remains unchanged.

The higher rate now applies to all goods, work, services, and property rights shipped, performed, rendered, or transferred on or after January 1.

Other significant — and unwelcome — tax changes include a lower income threshold for paying VAT under the simplified tax system and for using the patent tax system. Both are widely used by small businesses, which will now have to hand over a larger share of their revenues to the state.

The Kremlins new tax hike aims to plug a record deficit (https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/09/26/russians-pick-up-the-tab) to fund the war.

Annual asset declarations for officials scrapped

This year, Russian officials will stop submitting annual income declarations to oversight bodies. Going forward, they will be required to file declarations only in strictly defined cases: before an appointment or transfer to a new position, before inclusion in the federal personnel reserve, and in the event of major expenditures.

At the end of 2022, Putin allowed officials — including himself — to stop publishing their declarations online or submitting them to the media for the duration of the full-scale war against Ukraine. What was initially framed as a temporary measure has now become permanent: public disclosure of officials’ declarations has been abolished altogether.

Monthly minimum wage goes up to nearly $340

As of January 1, the monthly federal minimum wage increased by 4,653 rubles ($58.13) to 27,093 rubles ($338.45), provided an employee works a full standard month.

This figure sets the nationwide floor. Regions may establish a higher minimum wage; where no regional rate exists, the federal minimum wage applies.

Income tax for ‘foreign agents’ rises well above the norm

The authorities have introduced a flat 30 percent personal income tax rate for individuals designated as “foreign agents,” regardless of whether they are tax residents of Russia. The same rate already applies to non-residents. By contrast, most Russians pay income tax at rates ranging from 13 to 22 percent, depending on their earnings.

In addition, people labeled as “foreign agents” have been stripped of tax deductions and the right to claim tax exemptions.

Moscow starts using AI to automatically detect crimes

A new federal law authorizing the “experiment,” along with amendments to Russia’s Administrative Code, now allows the city of Moscow to use artificial intelligence to automatically identify misdemeanor violations. The system will rely on the city’s video surveillance network, as well as cameras mounted on vehicles and drones.

The AI-based monitoring will cover:

protection of cultural heritage sites;
regional construction oversight;
environmental monitoring;
oversight of protected natural areas;
transport and road infrastructure supervision;
monitoring the protection and use of urban soils;
enforcement of rules governing the protection of green spaces.

The pilot program is set to run for three years.

https://meduza.io/impro/_hrMADjU8Yu1piBEv9XOEcaUOW4y71xr3e5Y6rhz9Uk/resizing_type:fit/width:980/height:0/enlarge:1/quality:95/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWR1/emEuaW8vaW1hZ2Uv/YXR0YWNobWVudHMv/aW1hZ2VzLzAwOS85/MDcvOTM1L29yaWdp/bmFsL2ZkRml1bzJv/U3htWGJXOVpPYmoy/WXcucG5n.webp

Russia’s Central Bank doubles the list of red flags for fraudulent transactions

The Central Bank has expanded its list of indicators used to identify potentially fraudulent money transfers made without a customer’s voluntary consent — from six to 12.

New red flags include:

transfers exceeding 200,000 rubles (about $2,500) between a customer’s own accounts via the fast payments system, followed within 24 hours by an attempt to send money to another person to whom the customer has not transferred funds in the past six months;
using a new Internet service provider;
changing a SIM card.

If any of these indicators are detected, banks will be required to freeze the transfer for 48 hours, inform the customer of the reason, and ask them to confirm the transaction. Customers may insist on proceeding with the transfer — but if the funds ultimately go to scammers, the bank won’t reimburse the loss.

Utility tariffs rise — the first of two hikes this year

In 2026, household utility tariffs in Russia will be raised twice: on January 1 and again on October 1. The first increase, effective at the start of the year, averages 1.7 percent nationwide and is tied to the hike in the value-added tax from 20 to 22 percent.

A second, more substantial increase is scheduled for October. The exact rate will vary by region, ranging from 8 percent to as much as 19.7 percent.

The FSB regains its own remand prisons

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/7F21/production/_111754523_hi061017517-1.jpg.webp

For several decades, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) lacked its own pre-trial detention centers — a consequence of Russia’s obligations under the Council of Europe to uphold human rights standards. Those constraints are now gone. Russia left the Council of Europe in 2022, and as of January 1, the security service once again has its own prisons.

Human rights advocates warn that the move could worsen conditions for defendants held in FSB custody.

https://meduza.io/en/slides/what-s-changing-in-russia-in-2026

[Bill Ryan]

I find that the Website Meduza (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meduza) is a valuable source of information. I'm aware you sincerely value the site, and have referenced it several times before. But without intending any disrespect at all, I feel I really must add the footnote that it's based in Latvia and is devotedly Russophobic.

[rgray222]

I find that the Website Meduza (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meduza) is a valuable source of information. I'm aware you sincerely value the site, and have referenced it several times before. But without intending any disrespect at all, I feel I really must add the footnote that it's based in Latvia and is devotedly Russophobic.

It is my understanding and experience from reading Meduza over time that no employee working for Meduza is Russiaphobic. The owner, Galina Timchenko, along with approximately 50 of Russia's best journalists who left Russia with her, deeply love their country, perhaps even more passionately than some who remain in the country.

It’s not an overstatement to say the Meduza staff (and many more independent journalists) left Russia because the repression against journalists was escalating under President Putin. Meduza has reported critically on events such as the Russia incursion into Georgia, the annexation of Crimea, and the war in Ukraine. As a result, Meduza and many other news organizations have been labelled as "undesirable." Several journalists have even been prosecuted in absentia and sentenced to jail.

The Russian government’s agency, Roskomnadzor (https://www.cfr.org/blog/russias-internet-censor-also-surveillance-machine), is not only a censoring machine, but they are a surveillance powerhouse. They maintain a website blocklist and mandate the removal of content deemed offensive to Putin and Russia. They act not only as censors but as a centralized worker bees hot on the pursuit of journalistic suppression. In 2022, with the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, new legislation introduced severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison for reporting on the Russian military. This forced Meduza to evacuate all its remaining correspondents from Russia within two weeks.

My point is that these individuals love Russia and care deeply about its people. Their disagreement is with Putin’s policies and actions, not with the country or its citizens.

Whenever I share content from this news source (Meduza), I encounter criticism directed at the source rather than the information itself. I’ve also observed that many questionable outlets, such as DD Geopolitics, Mehr News Agency, X, Fox News, CNN, occupydemocrats.com, Daily Mail, BBC, Al Jazeera, China Observer, Kim Iversen, Max Blumenthal, to name just a few, are frequently regarded as trustworthy on PA. This raises an important question: where should we draw the line?

For example, just look at some of the video sources referenced in the "Trump is not the answer" thread or other political threads.

We have a home just 90 miles from the Russian border, and we attempt to find truthful information to help guide our decisions and actions. It is extremely hard to find dependable, truthful information about Russia. At least in the USA, there are two diametrically opposed media sources which give different perspectives on the same issue, but you will not find that in Russia. Frequently, important stories about Russia are simply ignored. I say this with complete honesty and sincerity: when people use sources that provide honest insights, even if those insights are uncomfortable or go against our preferences, it can and will cause controversy. While we can debate the nuances of what constitutes "honest" reporting, it’s crucial to have access to truthful news, even when it challenges our beliefs about Russia, Europe, Asia or the USA.

I think every source of news about Russia could be genuinely challenged, so how do we deal with this? Labelling a source as untrustworthy without calling into question the information being presented seems grossly unfair.

In the Meduza story above about 2026, I don't think there is one dishonest or even slanted piece of news. These are simply stories that most Russian news sources won't or don't talk about.

This could be a valuable topic for a new thread.

[Ravenlocke]

Sputnik Africa

❄️ Winter Wonderland Through African Eyes: Students Discover St. Petersburg

Students from The Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria toured snowy St. Petersburg under the “Russian Cities for African Students” initiative, visiting iconic landmarks along Nevsky Prospekt and ending the day with traditional pyshki doughnuts.

▶️ Watch their winter journey in the video 👇

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/2008989766931394620

2008989766931394620

[Ravenlocke]

Latvia and Russophobia,

Zlatti71

Jan 1
🇱🇻 In Latvia, from January 1, Russian-language media and Russian language lessons in schools are being abolished — Latvian media.

State media are ceasing broadcasts in Russian, books and newspapers in Russian will become more expensive due to an increased VAT, and the study of the Russian language in schools is being cancelled.

The authorities explain their decisions by national security considerations, despite the fact that almost 40% of the country's population speaks Russian.
- FRWL

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/2006857275252871441

2006857275252871441


Sprinter Press

Latvia: Russian language restrictions from January 1:

🔵State media will stop broadcasting programs in Russian

🔵Higher VAT on Russian books and newspapers

🔵Russian language teaching in schools will be abolished

🔵The government justifies this with national security and protection from external influences.

🔴Critics point to social tensions, as about 40% of the population speaks Russian

https://x.com/SprinterPress/status/2007170561235992789

2007170561235992789



RT

Jan 1
Latvia bans Russian language in the country

Starting January 1st, the state halted all Russian-language public broadcasting and canceled Russian language education in schools

All this despite about 40% of its population speaking Russian

https://x.com/RT_com/status/2006677085256093951

2006677085256093951

[Ravenlocke]

Хорошие новости из России

Dec 19, 2025
Translated from Russian
📊«Year-End Review with Vladimir Putin»: the president spoke about the Russian economy and outlined the country's development guidelines. GDP increased by 1%, unemployment fell to 2.2%, and real wages rose by 4.5%.

#Экономика #ИтогиГода #Путин #Развитие #СоциальнаяСтабильность


https://x.com/Good_news_Rus/status/2002040756371120517

2002040756371120517

[Ravenlocke]

Хорошие новости из России

Dec 15, 2025
Translated from Russian
🌉 In Primorye, they are building the first car bridge in history between Russia and the DPRK. It will open as early as June 2026 and give a powerful boost to the development of border territories. Learn more: Budushcheestarmy.rf.

#МегапроектыРоссии #Инфраструктура
https://x.com/Good_news_Rus/status/2000833800587407710

2000833800587407710

[Ravenlocke]

Хорошие новости из России

Dec 12, 2025
Translated from Russian
💊 A Russian-Indian pharmaceutical plant will be built in the Kaluga region. It will produce substances for domestic medicines, including modern anti-tumor drugs. The project will strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

#Pharmaceuticals #Healthcare #Cooperation
Show more

https://x.com/Good_news_Rus/status/1999477834411307266

1999477834411307266

[Ravenlocke]

Хорошие новости из России

Dec 10, 2025
Translated from Russian
🌉 In the Far East, the construction of the world's first cross-border cable car over the Amur River is nearing completion. It will connect Russia's Blagoveshchensk and China's Heihe. Learn more: Budushcheestarmy.rf.

#ДальнийВосток #МегапроектыРоссии #Туризм #РоссияКитай
Show more

https://x.com/Good_news_Rus/status/1999025269101785526

1999025269101785526

[Ravenlocke]

Хорошие новости из России

Translated from Russian
🎓 On the initiative of United Russia, the number of budget places in Russian universities will be increased — now 73.4% of them will be distributed in the regions. This decision will make higher education more accessible for graduates across the country.

#ER #UnitedRussia

https://x.com/Good_news_Rus/status/1998048217653481687

1998048217653481687

[Ravenlocke]

Хорошие новости из России

Translated from Russian
🏆 At the National Center "Russia," the #WEARETOGETHER award was presented. In 2025, over 52,000 applications were received from 147 countries. The main award—"Volunteer of the Year"—was received by Anna Pluzhnikova, a participant in the cleanup efforts following the environmental disaster in Anapa.

#GoodDeeds #Volunteers #Russia #Award

https://x.com/Good_news_Rus/status/1996275444723650954

1996275444723650954

[Ravenlocke]

Хорошие новости из России

Dec 30, 2025
Translated from Russian
🎉 Hundreds of passengers congratulated the kindest controller in the Moscow metro. For her birthday, Muscovites collected more than 100 thousand rubles for house repairs, brought flowers and gifts. Now the city residents are preparing a New Year's surprise for her.

#ДобрыеИстории #МосковскоеМетро #Люди #Поддержка

https://x.com/Good_news_Rus/status/2005926840666403221

2005926840666403221

[Ravenlocke]

☭Т@тьян@❤️🇷🇺

Translated from Russian
🇷🇺 Sakhalin

such a thing is possible only in Russia

https://x.com/Belka_r/status/2009343541504561521

2009343541504561521

[Ravenlocke]

Brian McDonald

Baza reports that Cyclone “Francis” has swept into Moscow, bringing a severe snowstorm, strong north-easterly winds and widespread disruption. Major highways are gridlocked with multiple accidents, airports have cancelled 8 flights and delayed more than 130, and snowfall is expected to continue almost nonstop until the evening of January 9. Winds may reach 18 m/s, with snowdrifts up to 40–45 cm. That's more than 60% of the city’s monthly average in just 24 hours.

https://x.com/27khv/status/2009324330455286093

2009324330455286093

[Tintin]

I find that the Website Meduza (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meduza) is a valuable source of information. I'm aware you sincerely value the site, and have referenced it several times before. But without intending any disrespect at all, I feel I really must add the footnote that it's based in Latvia and is devotedly Russophobic.

Yes, Meduza really is a Western intelligence agency cut-out, much like The Moscow Times, so, really not at all a balanced source for news. In fact I do think it's receiving FCDO (British Foreign Office) funding amongst other donor NGOs, which is a deliberate label as they really are of course governmental organisations. BBC Media Action as well I rather suspect are involved, responsible for training budding media managers all over the world :)

[sdv]

Brian McDonald

Baza reports that Cyclone “Francis” has swept into Moscow, bringing a severe snowstorm, strong north-easterly winds and widespread disruption. Major highways are gridlocked with multiple accidents, airports have cancelled 8 flights and delayed more than 130, and snowfall is expected to continue almost nonstop until the evening of January 9. Winds may reach 18 m/s, with snowdrifts up to 40–45 cm. That's more than 60% of the city’s monthly average in just 24 hours.

https://x.com/27khv/status/2009324330455286093

2009324330455286093

There is winter as I experience it, and then there is Winter as experienced in places like Russia. Canada, Alaska ...!

[Ravenlocke]

Russia's Pivot to Asia

Jan 1

Good News: 2026 Changes To Russia’s Social Payments System

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/good-news-2026-changes-to-russias-social-payments-system/
2026 is ushering in increases in Russian pensions, social security, maternity, child support, mortgage relief and other improvements concerning social payments for Russian nationals. We identity the sectors being increased and when they kick in.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/2006705842599694731

2006705842599694731

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/good-news-2026-changes-to-russias-social-payments-system/

Good News: 2026 Changes To Russia’s Social Payments System

January 1, 2026 Economy, Finance, Regulatory, Legal & Tax, Russian Infrastructure By Russia's Pivot to Asia
Russia is introducing multiple improvements to its various social security payments to citizens during 2026, with increases across the board—good news for Russian nationals. These range from financial support for families to taxation and pension payments. Basic pension indexations will be implemented, new tax breaks for families with children will be introduced, and other measures aimed at improving citizens’ living standards will be implemented. We identify these increases and when they will become available.

Pensions Increases

In 2026, several payment increases are planned for different categories of pensioners. From January 1, the state insurance pension will be indexed by 7.6%, meaning it will more than keep pace with the inflation rate (now just under 6% and scheduled to fall further during the year). The fixed pension from the state will be ₽9,584.69 (US$121). The increase will affect both working and non-working pensioners. For pensioners who turn 80 in 2026, as well as citizens with the first disability group, their pension will be doubled.

Starting April 1, the pension will then be indexed by 6.8%, after which its base amount will be ₽9,424.12.

Military pensions are expected to increase by 4% commencing October 1, 2026.

Minimum Wage

In 2026, a significant increase in key social indicators affecting the size of payments and citizens’ incomes is planned. Effective January 1, the per capita subsistence minimum will increase to ₽18,939 (US$240). For the working-age population, it will be ₽20,644; for children – ₽18,371; and for pensioners – ₽16,288. However, regional subsistence minimums may differ from the federal level.

The minimum wage will also increase starting January 1. It will be set at ₽27,093 (US$343) and will apply throughout Russia. It cannot be lower than the regional subsistence minimum and directly affects wages, benefits, and social payments, as well as the calculation of insurance premiums and alimony.

Maternity Pay

Effective February 1, 2026, maternity capital will be indexed by 6.8%. After the increase, the payment for the first child will be approximately ₽737,200 (US$9,320), and the payment for the second child will approach ₽1 million (US$12,650). The exact amounts will be published at the beginning of the year. This goes hand in hand with Russia wanting to stimulate its birth rate, which has fallen to historic lows.

The indexation is stipulated by the federal budget law and will apply not only to new certificates but also to any unused balances. Maternity capital can still be used to improve housing conditions, pay for children’s education, or build up the funded portion of a pension.

Child Care Allowance (to 18 months)

In 2026, the minimum child care benefit for children up to eighteen months old will increase, following the increase in the minimum wage. The minimum payment of about ₽10,700 can be claimed by mothers who are not officially employed, students, and employees with less than six months of insurance coverage. The maximum payment will be approximately ₽80,000.

Maternity benefits for citizens who have entered into a voluntary insurance agreement with the Russian Social Fund will be calculated based on the minimum wage in 2026. This category includes individual entrepreneurs, lawyers, and other self-employed professionals who have paid insurance premiums.

Unified Benefits and the “8 Minimum Wages” Rule

From January 1st, the “8 minimum wage” rule will apply to eligible children’s benefits for able-bodied family members. If the income of each adult family member during the billing period falls below this threshold, the payment may be denied.

Given that the minimum wage has been set at ₽27,093 from January 1, 2026, the minimum annual income for each able-bodied family member must be at least ₽216,744. The calculation period covers 12 months.

If the applicant or their family members lack the minimum income for valid reasons, this must be documented. However, exceptions to this rule are provided for large families and families raising children with disabilities.

Family Mortgage Loan Terms Tightened

In 2026, the terms of family mortgages will be tightened, limiting the use of subsidized loans for investment purposes. The main change is the “one family, one subsidized loan” rule.

From February 1, 2026, only families with children aged six and under will be able to apply for a family mortgage at the preferential 6% rate. Families with older children will only be able to purchase housing through market-based mortgage programs.

Both spouses are required by the agreement to act as co-borrowers. The previous option for each spouse to apply for a separate, preferential loan is no longer available. Third-party co-borrowers are also no longer permitted.

Allocation of Property Shares to Children

Effective January 1, 2026, the procedure for allocating shares to spouses and children in housing purchased with a mortgage using maternity capital funds will be simplified. Written consent from the mortgagee bank will no longer be required.

Parents will be able to register joint property ownership after the mortgage loan is repaid, or even before it is fully closed, without further approval from the lending institution. These changes are enshrined in Federal Law No. 195 of July 7, 2025.

At the same time, the rule that property remains pledged to the bank until the loan is fully repaid remains in effect.

Far Eastern and Arctic Mortgage Terms

In 2026, preferential mortgage options for the Russian Far East and Arctic regions will be expanded. The interest rate under the program will remain at 2%, while the maximum loan amount will increase to ₽9 million (US$114,000) for the purchase or construction of a home over 60 square meters in size and up to ₽6 million (US$76,000) for the purchase of an apartment.

For families with three or more children, the program will become more accessible. Age restrictions for parents will be lifted if the third child was born after January 1, 2024. Previously, only young families with parents under 35 could take advantage of the preferential mortgage.

Housing and Communal Services

Effective March 1, 2026, utility payment deadlines in Russia will change. The payment deadline will be moved to the 15th of the month following the billing month. Previously, the deadline was the 25th. The new rules are aimed at improving consumer payment discipline.

Late payment penalties will begin to accrue starting on the 16th at a rate of 1/130 of the Bank of Russia’s key rate for each day of delay. The deadline for submitting payment documents will also change. Starting in 2026, they must be submitted no later than the 5th of the month following the billing month, instead of the previously applicable 1st.

Income Tax Deductions

Effective September 1, 2026, the personal income tax deduction for long-term savings products, such as the IIS-3, the long-term savings program (LTSP), non-state pension provision (NSP), and others, will increase. If parents contribute to these products for their children, the deduction limit for each parent will increase from ₽400,000 to ₽500,000. (US$6,320). The maximum deduction for a family can reach ₽1 million.

The right to an increased deduction is granted provided the child is under 18 years of age, or 24 years of age if studying full-time. The deduction calculation mechanism remains the same, but the increased limit is only based on contributions made on behalf of the child.

The tax treatment for payments under the PDS is also being clarified. They will be subject to personal income tax at rates of 13% or 15%, depending on the size of the tax base. Progressive rates of 18–22% will not apply. Thus, the tax treatment for PDS is aligned with the current rates for insurance payments, pensions, and income from securities and derivative financial instruments in individual investment accounts.

Additionally, the tax changes establish rules for employer contributions. Contributions under the Social Tax will be included in employer expenses up to 12% of the payroll fund, and amounts within this limit will not be subject to insurance contributions—calculated per individual employee for the relevant billing period.

New Rules for Buying On Credit

Starting April 1, 2026, new rules for installment payment services, including popular BNPL services, will come into effect in Russia. These rules are stipulated by the law “On the Activities of Providing Installment Payment Services,” adopted in June 2025. The key change is that when purchasing an item on an installment plan, its price must be the same as if it were paid in full. Furthermore, the law prohibits any hidden fees or additional charges.

The new rules also allow for early repayment of the debt at any time without penalties or fees. However, there are limitations on the installment plan duration: from April 1, 2026, it cannot exceed six months, and from April 1, 2028, it cannot exceed four months.

For violation of installment payment obligations, a maximum penalty amount is introduced—no more than 20% per annum of the user’s overdue debt amount.

Particular attention is being paid to the transparency of such obligations. Installment plans for amounts of ₽50,000 (US$760) or more will be reported to credit bureaus and reflected in credit histories. Banks and microfinance organizations will be able to consider this data when reviewing loan applications.

However, the new requirements apply only to cases where installment plans are offered by a specialized online payment service. They do not apply to situations where installment plans are offered by the seller themselves, such as a housing developer, nor do they apply to point-of-sale loans or installment cards.

Ban on Automatic Debiting of Funds from Cards

Starting March 1, 2026, online services will no longer be able to automatically debit users’ bank cards if they have previously blocked such transactions for subscription service payments from a specific card. The new rules are aimed at strengthening citizens’ control over regular payments and protecting them from unwanted charges. The corresponding amendments to the Law on Consumer Rights Protection were adopted in October 2025.

The law could affect a variety of popular online services, including online cinemas and music platforms, as well as gaming services and mobile apps with subscriptions and premium features.

Additionally, restrictions may apply to educational platforms and language apps with monthly subscriptions, as well as marketplaces and delivery services that use auto-renewal subscriptions, such as paid delivery or loyalty programs.

However, the new regulations do not apply to cases where the user pays for services manually each time; such payments will still be possible without restrictions.

Securities Trading


Starting September 1, 2026, the procedure for transferring securities between brokers in Russia will be simplified. Through the Faster Payment System (FPS), investors will be able to transfer Russian stocks and bonds available to non-qualified investors from one broker or management company to another.

Previously, to transfer assets, investors had to personally obtain a package of documents from their current broker and transfer them to the new professional participant. This procedure typically required a personal visit to the broker’s office and was time-consuming. The introduction of transfers through the Fast Payment System (FPS) will allow such transactions to be conducted electronically, reducing the timeframe and making the process more convenient for private investors.

Further Reading

The Moscow Stock Exchange Ends The Year Where It Began: Russia 2026 Market Predictions

[Jaak]

2011211083931857394
2011425986332778807
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[Jaak]

2011812265146925122

[Ravenlocke]

Alina Lipp

Translated from German
The Russian city of Arsamas with 36 churches - one next to the other! 😅

The old Russian city of Arsamas was founded in the distant year 1578 and is still known today for its numerous old-Russian houses and churches. The city with around 100,000 inhabitants is located 112 km south of Nizhny Novgorod and about a 4-hour drive from Moscow.

I spent a day there and enjoyed every minute, every street of the small town. Most of the houses there are built in the old-Russian style, and I couldn't get enough of the beautiful, colorful decorations on the buildings, which are often made of wood.

The numerous churches stand out particularly: In Arsamas, there are a total of 36 churches and four monasteries, which create an atmosphere of holiness and peace in the city.

While I walked through the streets and talked with the residents, I was very impressed by this calm and peaceful atmosphere, as it felt like I had fallen into a wholesome world where traditional values are still upheld and which is completely untouched by current world events.

Considering that traditional Russian, low-rise houses in cities like Moscow are often demolished in recent years, it was very nice to see that this cultural heritage is preserved in Arsamas and is currently even being actively restored. All facades as well as the pedestrian zone have been freshly renovated.

Definitely worth a visit!

https://x.com/Alina_Lipp_X/status/2011780859867668846

2011780859867668846

[Jaak]

2012515518746382589

[Ravenlocke]

Chay Bowes

A Russian state medical clinic. There are literally hundreds of these across Russia providing free healthcare.

How does it compare to where you are?

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/2012502483130593417

2012502483130593417

[Ravenlocke]

RussiaNews 🇷🇺

🚨⚡️ Lighting of the Rostral Columns in St. Petersburg

🇷🇺🕯️ 83 years since the breaking of the Leningrad blockade!

The city’s famous Rostral Columns blaze in honor of Leningrad’s civilians, defenders, and soldiers who broke the siege.

-: A historic epic of resilience proving that the will of the people is stronger than death and hunger.

https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/2012997418590314993

2012997418590314993

[sdv]

Chay Bowes

A Russian state medical clinic. There are literally hundreds of these across Russia providing free healthcare.

How does it compare to where you are?

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/2012502483130593417

2012502483130593417

My country has what you call state medical clinics. We call them primary health care clinics, funded and run by the government. To register at a clinic, you have to be a citizen/permanent resident and your income has to be below a certain amount (above that and you have to buy private health insurance but most companies include that in their renumeration package, or at least a contribution*). Everything is absolutely free: annual or 6-monthly checkups; chronic care medication; pregnancy and infant care; any tests or procedures required at a district or regional hospital and transport to and from those medical centres; cancer medication ... everything, absolutely free. Venezuala ... same system. The Chavez revolution gave poor people health care for the first time, for free.

* If you have permanent employment and medical aid/insurance is in the package of benefits, you can't choose which medical aid/insurance company you want to use. The company does a deal with one medical aid/insurance company and pays the contributions. The employees' contribution is deducted from their salary. Most people want to work for companies who offer this because they get medical aid/insurance for about half the price and they do not have to worry about missing a payment and being denied medical cover.

[Ravenlocke]

Orthodox Christian

☦️🇷🇺🕊️Today is Epiphany (The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ) according to the Old Calendar, and here is a clip from the film "The Holy Archipelago" about the Solovetsky Monastery in the Arkhangelsk Oblast in Northern Russia 🇷🇺

https://x.com/orthodox_33ad/status/2013079438657741150

2013079438657741150


https://x.com/ussrlife/status/2013187429432258939

2013187429432258939

[Ravenlocke]

senore_amore

🇷🇺 ❄️ 🥶 Yesterday's Epiphany blessing of the ice hole on Russky Island near Vladivostok, and ice hole bathing

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2013211587776037218

2013211587776037218

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2013212780539646417

2013212780539646417

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/2013212973527925144

2013212973527925144

[Ravenlocke]

ТАСС

Translated from Russian
TASS special correspondent on the ISS, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Kudy-Sverchkov showed the northern lights over Scandinavia and Russia:
https://vk.cc/cTxn4b

Video: Sergei Kudy-Sverchkov/TASS

https://x.com/tass_agency/status/2013117273909649456

2013117273909649456

[Ravenlocke]

Fr. Daniel☦️

The genocide of Orthodox Christians in Atheist Soviet Russia is perhaps the single greatest Christian persecution in Human history.

What crimes did the Bolsheviks commit during the ‘Russian Revolution?

They nailed him to the floor of the church. He remained alive for a long time. Red-hot ramrods were slowly driven into his body until one pierced his heart… This is how Bishop Sylvester (Olshevsky) of Omsk died in February 1920.

Bishop Tikhon (Nikanorov) of Voronezh was crucified on the Royal Doors of the iconostasis.

Bishop Andronik of Perm was buried alive in a pit which he had been forced to dig himself.

Bishop Hermogenes of Tobolsk was tied to a ship’s wheel and drowned.

Bishop Seraphim (Chichagov) was carried on a stretcher to be executed at the Butovo firing range, as the nearly 90-year-old elder could no longer walk.

Grand Duchess Elizabeth & the nun Barbara were thrown alive into a deep mineshaft in Alapaevsk.

Bishop Benjamin of Petrograd, along with several laymen, was shot after a show trial based on false charges related to the confiscation of church valuables.

Priest Peter Skipetrov was shot in the face in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

Archbishop Nikon Rozhdestvesnky (accused of ‘antisemitism’) was stabbed & maimed to death outside of his monastery (Trinity Sergius Lavra), his body was disfigured beyond recognition. The Bolsheviks also beheaded him.

Metropolitan Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Kiev was dragged outside the walls of the Kiev Lavra, shot, and bayoneted while he gave his blessing to his executioners.

The elderly ascetic, Bishop John (Pommer) of Latvia, was tied to a door torn from its hinges, laid on a workbench, brutally tortured, and then set on fire while still alive.

Bishop Thaddeus of Tver was drowned in human waste.

Father Alexey Merkuryev of the Urals was murdered in front of his congregation, daughter, and son.

Bishop Theophan of Solikamsk was stripped, his hair braided, a pole threaded through it, & he was slowly lowered into an icy hole in the Kama River. His body became encased in ice. But the hierarch was still alive - and then he was drowned.

Some priests and laymen had their hands tied behind their backs, their eyes blindfolded, and were ordered to walk across the ice until they fell into a hole. The torturers mockingly called them ‘divers.’

The holy prisoners of the Solovki labor camp had their beards and mustaches ripped out and were starved to death…

No number of pages or tears can recount all that our land endured so recently - just yesterday. This is only a drop in the ocean of blood shed by the Holy New Martyrs, whose memory we commemorate each year.

Hundreds of thousands of priests and millions of laypeople were killed and torn apart for their faithfulness to Christ. More than 2,000 have been canonized as confessors and martyrs - and how many more are known only to God?

And this was not some mere political struggle. It was hell itself unleashed. Only demons devoid of all conscience could torture people in such ways.

The scale, ferocity, and mercilessness of Soviet persecution of the Church is encapsulated in a single figure: out of 80,000 churches and monasteries at the beginning of the 20th century, by 1939, barely a hundred parishes remained across the vast Russian land. Not a single monastery. Not a single seminary. Not a single bishop at liberty. Just a scattered handful of monks.

https://x.com/Fragbaza/status/2014966792444355035

2014966792444355035

[Ravenlocke]

Russia 🇷🇺

🗺 #OTD in 1820 one of last the greatest discoveries was made by Russian explorers.

Faddey #Bellingshausen & Mikhail #Lazarev approached the shores of #Antarctica and rounded its ice sheet, greeting the penguins 🐧

👉 #RussianDidItFirst

https://x.com/Russia/status/2016518805263110203

2016518805263110203

[Johnnycomelately]

Story is, some Russian lads are disrespectful of their restaurent of choice, and of their sweet young lady server. So, then, they get hammered by the boss MOM! of that lass, who emerges from the kitchen.


kXQYyF7bFsw

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

Jan 28
The Chegem Gorge in Kabardino-Balkaria is a narrow canyon where a highway is literally squeezed between steep cliffs & a river. In the narrowest places, the width of the gorge does not exceed 25-30 meters & the rocks rise 200-300 meters above the head. The road to the waterfalls.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2016539930101477531

2016539930101477531

[Ravenlocke]

Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺

🇷🇺 Scientists of the Tomsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with the Scientific Research Center BAS of the Tomsk region, have developed a new compact internal combustion engine for drones.

Its production is planned to be launched in the Tomsk region. In less than a year, a domestic rotary piston engine with a volume of 300 cubic cm and a power of 26 kW (36 hp) was created, designed for unmanned and aircraft platforms weighing up to 300 kg.


https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2016530080655143258

2016530080655143258

The prototype was successfully assembled and launched at the end of 2025. Denis Melikov, Director of the NPC BAS of the Tomsk Region, stressed that the region is planning a transition to a full production cycle of domestic components for drones, from microelectronics to engines,

and body elements. In Russia today, there is a shortage of engines for UAVs with a capacity of 20-30 kW. The new engine is characterized by low weight and dimensions, high specific power, simple design, low vibration and the ability to run on gasoline.

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/2016530088867631376

2016530088867631376

[Ravenlocke]

Russia 🇷🇺

Jan 24
🥳 Happy birthday to Yuri #Bashmet – Russian conductor & the world’s most renowned violist.

He brought viola to the forefront of modern concert life & inspired ~50 works written for him.

In 2014, he led and recorded the iconic music and soundscape of
@Sochi2014
Olympics 🔥❄️

https://x.com/Russia/status/2015089783387959686

2015089783387959686

[Ravenlocke]

Russia 🇷🇺

Jan 21
🇷🇺 #Moscow is an tourist cornucopia – endless options, even off the beaten path.

#ColdWar buffs must explore #Bunker42 – a declassified nuclear shelter & command center in the heart of the city.

☢️ In a true Fallout fashion, it also houses Russia's deepest restaurant. It's RAD!

https://x.com/Russia/status/2013925988338446521

2013925988338446521

[Ravenlocke]

Russia 🇷🇺
Jan 13
🚢 #OTD in 1940, the icebreaker Georgy #Sedov escaped after being trapped in the Arctic ice for 812 days!

🥶 Overcoming unbearable cold, fierce winds, and polar darkness, the crew covered 3'307 miles (6 124 km), never stopping their research, exploration, and even education.

https://x.com/Russia/status/2011105968877420941

2011105968877420941

[Ravenlocke]

MFA Russia 🇷🇺

🧭 January 29 marks the Discoverers’ Day in Russia

🧊 On this day in 1820, Russian naval officers Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev discovered #Antarctica – the sixth continent.

Find out more about this expedition: http://t.me/MFARussia/28162

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/2016930966938284059

2016930966938284059

[Ewan]

Back to Yakutia...

24 Hours in the Coldest City on Earth Yakutsk –64°C (−83°F)

24 minutes, comfortably watched at 1.25x speed and for native English speakers you could go higher.

D-WGGDRyf68

[rgray222]

Moscow sees heaviest snowfall in 200 years

qIUzRPNW9Gc
Moscow has seen the heaviest snowfall in more than 200 years, Russian state media reported as Eastern Europe was battered by severe weather and freezing temperatures.

The state-owned Russian news Agency TASS reported on January 29 that the first month of the year had seen the heaviest snowfall in the Russian capital in the last 203 years.

The meteorological observatory of Lomonosov Moscow State University told TASS: "The first month of 2026 proved to be cold and exceptionally snowy for the capital. The intense snowfall was driven by deep and expansive cyclones with sharp weather fronts passing over the Moscow Region."

Meteorologists said the problem had been exacerbated by freezing temperatures, which were 1.5C below normal for this time of year.

https://images.ctfassets.net/pjshm78m9jt4/7nxbwnx85iGiGAAH0On8wv/3570416788300c7233cf2aedfb38d1fb/AP26029548388400.jpg?fm=avif&fit=fill&w=830&h=467&q=80

he average January temperature in Moscow is -6.2C.

With temperatures so low, there has been no thawing of ice or snow, meaning each new snowfall is just landing on the previous one.

Workers have been busy clearing roads by piling snow into snowbanks that can often be metres high.

Special snow dumping sites have also been created, where lorry loads of snow are dumped, and excavators create mountains of snow that reach as high as some buildings.

The freezing cold has also hit Russia's neighbours, including Ukraine.

Forecasters say Kyiv, which recently endured severe power shortages due to Russian strikes, will see a brutally cold stretch starting on Friday that is expected to last into next week. Temperatures in some areas will drop to minus 30C, the State Emergency Service said.

Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat, light and running water over the course of the war, in a strategy that Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponising winter.”

On Thursday, United States President Donald Trump said he made a personal request to the Russian government to halt strikes on Kyiv for a week during the cold spell.

Trump said Vladimir Putin had agreed to his request, although there was some confusion as the Kremlin confirmed they would halt the strikes until February 1, which is just days away.

The weather is also expected to be worse in the first week of February.

Over the past week, Russia has struck Ukrainian energy assets in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa and northeastern Kharkiv.

It also hit the Kyiv region on January 28, killing two people and injuring four.

https://www.itv.com/news/2026-01-30/moscow-sees-heaviest-snowfall-in-200-years-as-30c-forecast-in-kyiv

[Bill Ryan]

Another story about the super-cold Yakutsk region, with a sad twist to the tale. :flower:

Adam Boreiko, a Pole who spoke fluent Russian, was a 50-year old adventure cyclist who had cycled solo across the Sahara, the High Atlas Mountains, and across India to the Himalaya. His latest trip (https://explorersweb.com/polish-cyclist-found-dead-in-siberian-hotel/) was to traverse Yakutia in winter, this time braving the extreme cold.

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-02-at-6.33.59-PM.jpg

Boreiko started his journey on January 25. On January 31 at 8 pm, he reached the small village of Khandyga, after cycling for nearly 10 hours. He then checked into a local hotel. He didn’t appear the following day, so that afternoon staff checked his room — and found him dead.

He'd written that he'd received the warmest hospitality from all the Siberian people he'd met along the way. One of his Instagram posts (https://www.instagram.com/szadam_totutotam/):
The first few days have been the most challenging: adaptation, and the equipment breaking down a bit. People along the way helped me through all the difficulties... I spent my first night in Tüngülü at a roadside bar and inn. The next day, in the village of Nuoragana, I was given food and tea at the school. I dried my things and rested a bit. I was asked to tell the children about my journey.
Here he is, a photo taken the night before he died. The only moral of the story (besides the exceptional Russian friendliness and hospitality) might be that you just don't mess with the extreme cold in Siberia.

:flower:

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Gw3yOmiuNj.jpg.pagespeed.ce_.-hvuHs9Srl.jpg

[rgray222]

Russian comedian jailed for nearly six years over war veteran joke

https://www.reuters.com/resizer/v2/QPZ7CXANYVIS5JTT7SHFWNIUGA.jpg?auth=75abb2a8a0306a1db6da4989c312a875ccd5d2b3afbea40e23382690bdcd77c0&width=960&quality=80
Russian comedian Artemy Ostanin stands behind a glass wall in an enclosure for defendants during a court hearing after his March 2025 arrest over a stand‑up performance, in Moscow, Russia, February 4, 2026. Ostanin is suspected of inciting hatred and debasing human dignity following public denunciations alleging that he mocked

Summary

Artemy Ostanin convicted of inciting hatred, fined 300,000 roubles
Joke about Russian war veteran sparked outrage among nationalists, military bloggers
Ostanin also convicted for offending Christians with joke about Jesus

MOSCOW, Feb 4 (Reuters) - A Russian stand-up comedian was convicted of inciting hatred and jailed for nearly six years on Wednesday over a joke he made about a legless war veteran, which triggered outrage among nationalists and military bloggers.

A Reuters reporter in court said that the comedian, Artemy Ostanin, had been handed a sentence of five years and nine months and a fine of 300,000 roubles ($3,908).

It was the latest in a series of rulings which have harshly punished people judged by the authorities to have spoken rudely or falsely about the Russian army at a time when it is fighting in Ukraine.

Ostanin was also convicted of offending the feelings of Christians with another off-colour joke he made about Jesus, which angered Orthodox nationalists.

His arrest and treatment were punishment enough for any offence he had caused, Ostanin said during his trial.

Russia passed sweeping censorship laws in 2022 shortly after it went to war in Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin figures and organisations have since publicly denounced people they deem to have broken those laws, and have reported them to the authorities.

Ostanin's problems began after he performed in front of a small audience in March last year and joked about how an impoverished war veteran who had lost his legs after being blown up by a mine, and was now forced to get around on a skateboard, had run over his foot while navigating a Moscow underpass.

Ostanin also referred to a wheelchair as a "stump carrier."

STRAIGHT-FACED ON PUNCHLINE

Ostanin was not a household name at the time and a video of the moment he told the joke's punchline showed a panel of four fellow comedians remaining straight-faced as the sound of several audience members laughing rang out.

But video of the joke was seized upon by war bloggers and nationalists on the Telegram social media app, causing it to go viral with critics accusing Ostanin of crossing a line by crassly mocking veterans who were risking their lives on the battlefield.

Sorok Sorokov, a powerful Orthodox nationalist group, said many Russians had not understood that times had changed and that the state should tighten its control over such performances to stem what it called a general decline in moral values.

"In recent years, comedians have often crossed red lines and made jokes about topics that are taboo in any normal society," said Georgy Soldatov, director of the group's human rights centre.

Frightened by the backlash against his performance, Ostanin tried to flee Russia in March last year but was arrested by police in neighbouring Belarus, a close ally of Russia, and returned to Moscow to face charges.

Asked by the judge on Wednesday whether he understood his sentence, Ostanin said: "To hell with your judicial practice. No, I don't."

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-comedian-jailed-nearly-six-years-over-war-veteran-joke-2026-02-04/
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/02/07/what-do-you-say-when-one-of-your-own-gets-six-years-for-a-joke-if-you-re-a-comedian-in-russia-nothing

[Ewan]

Disappointing to see PC raising its mental visage in Russia.
Comedians have always walked on the edge and if people choose to get offended, well it was their choice.

[Bill Ryan]

Disappointing to see PC raising its mental visage in Russia.
Comedians have always walked on the edge and if people choose to get offended, well it was their choice.There's a Russian account of it here dated June 2025, from RIA Novosti, the mainstream news platform.

https://ria.ru/person/artemiy-ostanin (https://ria.ru/person/artemiy-ostanin/)

Here's the translation: (https://ria-ru.translate.goog/20250604/ostanin-2020868784.html?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc)

Comedian Ostanin added to list of terrorists and extremists

Rosfinmonitoring added comedian Ostanin to its list of terrorists and extremists.

https://cdnn21.img.ria.ru/images/07e9/03/13/2005983614_0:0:2976:1674_1920x1080_80_0_0_49272ff244d398f7cfaefd4da3e2cdb5.jpg

MOSCOW, June 4 2025 – RIA Novosti. Comedian Artemy Ostanin, arrested on charges of inciting hatred, has been added to the list of terrorists and extremists, according to the Rosfinmonitoring website.

"The list of terrorists and extremists (included)... Ostanin Artemy Romanovich, born March 18, 1996, in the city of Yeysk, Krasnodar Krai," the list states.

According to investigators, no later than March 15, the suspect "made hostile comments about individuals who had been injured or disabled during a public appearance in Moscow. (https://ria-ru.translate.goog/location_Moskva/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc)" During questioning, the comedian stated that he had no intention of offending anyone and apologized for his performance.

Ostanin has been charged with committing a crime under Article 282, Part 2, Subparagraph "a" of the Russian Criminal Code (incitement of hatred or enmity, as well as humiliation of human dignity). He faces three to six years in prison.

His lawyer, Veronika Polyakova, told RIA Novosti that the stand-up comedian does not admit guilt in the case of inciting hatred.

Individuals and organizations included in the relevant Rosfinmonitoring (https://ria-ru.translate.goog/organization_Rosfinmonitoring/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc) registry are prohibited from interacting with the media, posting information online, organizing public events, participating in elections, and using any financial services that do not relate to the payment of taxes, wages, and compensation for damages.

[Ravenlocke]

Legitimate Targets

Sep 24, 2025
🚨🇷🇺 BREAKING: RUSSIA'S CANCER VACCINE rolling out this fall

The breakthrough treatment will target malignant tumors using the patient’s own genetic data

https://x.com/LegitTargets/status/1970775463644516541

1970775463644516541

RussiaNews 🇷🇺

Sep 7, 2025
🚨⚡️ JUST IN:

Russia unveils a REVOLUTIONARY cancer vaccine now ready for clinical use — FREE for patients.

FMBA chief Skvortsova: "3 years of trials PROVED safety & high efficacy."

https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1964604009941291293

1964604009941291293




Megatron

Sep 6, 2025
BREAKING:

🇷🇺 The Russian CANCER vaccine has successfully passed preclinical trials and is ready for use after receiving a license

This was announced by Veronika Skvortsova, head of the Russian Federal Medical Biological Agency (FMBA) on the 10th Eastern Economic Forum was held in Vladivostok on September 3-6

The studies confirmed the safety of the vaccine, including the possibility of multiple use, as well as its high effectiveness in reducing the size and slowing the growth of tumors.

In addition, the results showed prolonged patient survival.

https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/1964447374534987894

1964447374534987894

Next Science

Feb 4
🚨Russia has announced that its new cancer vaccine, Enteromix, has shown 100% success in clinical trials and is now ready for clinical use.

https://x.com/NextScience/status/2019192014672392521

2019192014672392521

[Johnnycomelately]

Russia now has an own engine for lightplanes, 115 HP. Since the Soviet thing broke up 30ish years ago, they have used American engines, Continental and Lycoming. More recently, Rotax of Austria has become the main player for new airplane designs in this power range. Possibly new small-helicopter designs too, I know little of Russian modern gen-av. Good for them.

This article gave me another question, about fuel. Scott Perdue, YT chan Flywire, has a playlist of vids about the 2030 end of Tetraethyl Lead supply, decided by the sole (he says “world”) maker of it. A UK firm. Scott says that while lots of work has been and is being done by companies in the US, this switch to no-lead gas is looking hecka problematic. Ignition timing requirements of different fuels, together with availabilities of any of those fuels on lengthy multistop flights, might make things unworkable.

So I wonder if they will restart their own old lead additives production, or figure out a workable alternative. If the former, I see the US and maybe other western nations getting into making it, to not be dependant on or sub-performing to Russia. Or China.

https://frontierindia.com/russia-finally-builds-its-own-piston-aircraft-engine-after-years-of-dependence/

Russia Finally Builds Its Own Piston Aircraft Engine After Years of Dependence

Russia has unveiled the new M105/M105V piston aircraft engine, a lightweight 115-hp powerplant designed to replace decades of dependence on foreign engines in light aircraft and UAVs. With a 2,000-hour service life and just 75 kg weight, the engine could reshape Russia’s small aviation sector and strengthen industrial independence.

By Frontier India News Network. 2026-02-05


The Russian engine-building sector introduced a new piston aircraft engine in early 2026 that was specifically designed for light aviation. The APD M105/M105V is rated at 115 horsepower, has a declared service life of 2,000 flight hours, and has a remarkably low mass of 75 kilograms. On paper, this combination of a modern power output, an unusually high time between overhauls (TBO) for its class, and a very low weight addresses numerous operational challenges that Russian small-aircraft designers have encountered for years. However, the M105/M105V’s importance is not limited to its technical specifications. It makes its debut in a domestic market that has historically been largely dependent on imported piston engines. Until recently, Russia was unable to produce a competitive, mass-produced indigenous powerplant for light aviation.

Consequently, this new engine is not only a technological breakthrough but also a strategic commercial breakthrough. It indicates a renewed attempt to reestablish domestic expertise in piston aircraft engines, an area that had progressively lagged behind global competitors following the Soviet era.

A Domestic Deficit: Russia’s Reliance on Foreign Piston Engines

Foreign-made piston engines have dominated Russia’s light aircraft sector for over thirty years, which encompasses training airplanes, ultralights, amphibians, gyrocopters, and specific unmanned systems. Austrian Rotax engines have been selected by aircraft manufacturers and private operators for their fuel efficiency, favorable power-to-weight ratios, and exceptional reliability. In the interim, American engines manufactured by Continental and Lycoming were frequently employed in the remotorization of older certified aircraft.

A structural vulnerability was established within the domestic aviation ecosystem as a result of this dependence. Spare parts availability, certification pathways, aircraft production schedules, and long-term maintenance planning were all closely associated with external suppliers. The risks associated with relying on imported propulsion systems became more apparent as geopolitical tensions increased and supply chains became less predictable.

The absence of a modern, scalable piston engine that is appropriate for widespread use in light aviation has been repeatedly underscored by Russian engineering institutes, aviation universities, and industry analysts. Over the years, a variety of experimental designs have been introduced, such as rotary prototypes and adaptations of automotive engines. However, only a small number of these designs have been able to establish themselves in fully supported serial production with competitive weight and service life characteristics.

Therefore, the M105/M105V is noteworthy due to its direct resolution of this long-standing problem. It provides airframe designers with the opportunity to specify a locally produced powerplant, thereby reducing their exposure to supply disruptions and bolstering the domestic industrial base.

.
.
.

[rgray222]

Thinking about evil is not a mistake; it is essential for moral clarity, justice, and societal well-being. It is not often that you see evil understood and attacked on an institutional scale. People hardly ever think about evil and rarely take the time to identify evil; countries (to my knowledge) never take the time to identify and expose evil on a national scale. Not surprisingly, most of the western journalist were poking fun at this Russian Supreme Court decision.

Russian Supreme Court bans Satanism

The Russian Supreme Court recognized the “International Satanism Movement” as an extremist organization and banned its activities in Russia on Wednesday.

The decision went into effect immediately, but can be appealed within a month, reports RBC.

The Court’s exact reasoning is as yet unknown, as the session took place behind closed doors and the case materials haven’t been publicly disclosed. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia previously made public calls to ban Satanism.

The Prosecutor General’s office, commenting on the decision, stated that the participants of the movement publicly call for extremism and the “destruction of churches.”

“The followers of the movement adhere to the general principles of Satanism, use common symbols and attributes, and perform occult rituals. The conceptual basis consists of publications that are recognized as extremist materials. The movement is closely associated with manifestations of radical nationalism and neo-Nazism. Along with ritual murders, participants commit other crimes, including those against minors,” the statement said.

The same judge, Oleg Nefedov, recognized the international LGBT movement as extreme and banned its activities in Russia in 2023.

The Supreme Court’s decision to recognize the international Satanism movement as extremist applies not only to formally registered organizations, but also to unregistered groups and communities, explained Igor Ivanishko, a judicial expert and religious scholar, in a conversation with RBC.

Among the specific groups to be banned is the Satanic Temple, founded in 2012, which has more than 10 million followers throughout the world. According to Ivanishko, its supporters in Russia are “quite radicalized and are under strong external influence.”

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s office designated the Satanic Temple as an undesirable organization in December 2024, citing its support for Ukrainian nationalist battalions and alleging that Russian members were involved in anti-Russian activities including arson and sabotage operations.

Other affected groups include the Temple of Set and various groups coming out of Anton Lavey’s Church of Satan.

Ivanishko explains that the ban covers groups that believe Lucifer is actually a good angel, those that acknowledge the traditional Christian worldview but consciously side with evil, and those that focus on other demons besides Satan himself.

According to the expert, marketplaces will have to withdraw products containing symbols of Satanism from sale. These include earrings with inverted crosses, medallions with a Baphomet and a pentagram, various pendants with inscriptions in Latin glorifying Satan, and more.

https://orthochristian.com/171448.html

[Ravenlocke]

News of Donbass

🇪🇨 Why is a student from #Ecuador learning Russian?

Michel from Ecuador graduated from the RUDN University Preparatory Faculty and is now a 1st-year student at the Faculty of Medicine. She started learning the language recently, but she already speaks Russian quite well. Michel came to #Russia for her dream of studying medicine and wants to stay here.

💬“Here I can dance, study and work – in Russia, I have everything in one world,”
says Michel.

🔗 Source: Gateway to Russia

https://x.com/News_of_Donbass/status/2022636235445977177

2022636235445977177

[Ravenlocke]

Russian Road

Feb 13
🇷🇺The rivers and canals of St. Petersburg have transformed into a picturesque arena for ice skating. How beautiful it is!✨

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/2022300235188383979

2022300235188383979

[Ravenlocke]

Russian Road

Feb 10
🇷🇺Russians organized a hockey game on the frozen Tekelyu River at the foot of the Altai Mountains, a place usually accessed only by climbers.

Photographer Vadim Makhorov and his friends arrived by helicopter, landed on the ice, and played a match with a view of Mount Belukha at an altitude of about 2,500 meters - without stands or referees, but with a stunning landscape.

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/2021235054995800217

2021235054995800217

[Ravenlocke]

Russian Road

Feb 9
🇷🇺Russian dairy product 'Prostokvashino' unexpectedly made an appearance at the Olympic Games. American speedskater Emery Lehman posted a room tour showcasing his fridge — and there were Russian yogurts, alongside KitKat and soda.

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/2020785529780842630

2020785529780842630

[Bill Ryan]

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/173127
Today Russia begins Maslenitsa celebrations

Maslenitsa is an ancient Slavic holiday with numerous customs that have survived through the centuries to the present day. It is celebrated during the week leading up to Great Lent.

Maslenitsa is a joyful farewell to winter, happy anticipation of the warm weather and the spring renewal of nature. The main attributes of the holiday traditionally include — the Maslenitsa effigy, games, sleigh rides, festivities, and of course, blini — round, golden, and hot. In the past, blini held ritual significance as they symbolized the sun, which grew brighter and extended the days.

DDGeopolitics/173127

[Ravenlocke]

StellaMoscow

A portal to #China has opened on Red Square. #Moscow is celebrating Chinese New Year.

#Russia

https://x.com/SgforgoodStella/status/2023490739003637781

2023490739003637781

[Ravenlocke]

MFA Russia 🇷🇺

Feb 12
💬 #Zakharova: From February 16 to March 1, the “Chinese New Year in Moscow” festival will take place.

In the upcoming Year of the Horse, according to the traditional Eastern calendar, we wish everyone sound health & prosperity!

祝大家新春快乐！

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/2021884483235135951

2021884483235135951

🎙 Congratulations from
@mfa_russia
Spokeswoman Maria #Zakharova on the Year of the Horse:

💬 The Year of the Horse is just around the corner. From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate everyone on the Spring Festival!

https://t.me/MFARussia/28390

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/2023442892728267133

2023442892728267133

[Ravenlocke]

Oleg

Feb 14
Translated from Russian
Chukotka. The Nenets chum is not just a dwelling, it is a mobile and sturdy home that lets air pass through and allows you to feel the wind. At night the stars shine directly through the smoke hole.

https://x.com/PisuTebe/status/2022914361262817775

2022914361262817775

[Ravenlocke]

Zlatti71

💊 Cancer medication has arrived in Russian clinics.

The drug "Racurs, 223Ra" will be available free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance (OMS). It will be used to treat bone metastases in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/2024169309451190514

2024169309451190514

Chay Bowes
@BowesChay
·
Jan 14
A new drug against cancer has started being used in Russia.

The drug "Racurs 223Ra" for the treatment of cancer with bone metastases has been introduced into medical practice. Developed by the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, the drug based on the radionuclide radium-223 has already been delivered to clinics after state registration.

The medication allows for targeted action on tumor cells, reducing pain and improving the quality of life for patients.
https://x.com/BowesChay/status/2011468208692240598

2011468208692240598