Life in Russia [Archive] - The Project Avalon Community Forum

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Hughe

5th October 2023, 13:46

Hi all,

I went to Russia with my Russian wife and spent one month to see actual life in Russia before I immigrate. A good friend of mine in Avalon asked to share the photos with other members.

Train ticket is around 90 rubles from the small city to Nizhny Novgorod.
51992

51993

51991

51994

51995

Hughe

5th October 2023, 13:53

51997

51996

51998

51999

The Volga river
52000

Hughe

5th October 2023, 13:57

The Volga river
52001

52002

52003

52004

52005

Hughe

5th October 2023, 14:00

The bus fee is 30 rubles
52006

Domestic and imported rices
52007

TealHorizon

5th October 2023, 21:15

I would love to see more pictures if you head back. Such a shame due to politics people miss out on the deep, rich history of the country, as well variety of wildlife and biomes. Visiting Volgograd has been a bit of a bucket list item for me due to the WWII historical aspect.

Ewan

5th October 2023, 21:50

Thanks so much for sharing, looking forward to reading more about actual life there.

Bill Ryan

6th October 2023, 02:03

Thanks so much for sharing, looking forward to reading more about actual life there.Yes! :)

What are Russians' attitudes to/ feelings about

Putin's management of how Russia is perceived in the 'global south'?
Europe?
The USA?
Propagandized Russophobia? (Do the Russians care?)
The Ukraine conflict? (Do they think Putin is being too cautious and moderate?)
The Russian economy right now? (Does it feel healthy and prosperous? Are there any shortages of anything?)
What we might call 'alternative media', and what's presented there?
The Sputnik covid vaccine? (Are there reports of heart injuries and accelerating cancers, as we see in the west? Are there Russian doctors and physicians who criticize the vaxx without getting censored?)

I can easily think of a dozen more, but that might be a very interesting start. :highfive:

shaberon

6th October 2023, 05:01

Excellent. I wonder whose rice they are using?

For the "one that got away" I would have to say that the most amazing conversation I ever had with a random woman that I probably should have thrown myself at her feet in perpetual slavery was Russian. Never quite had the urge to do that again.

The Byzantine iconography is amazing and for those who may not be familiar with Orthodoxy there are no pews. You stand for three hours. Such is the Church of Jerusalem.

Recently I have seen multiple stories from farmers and religious people moving there, and they all say pretty much the same thing.

I personally remember the end of the Berlin Wall and the opening of Russian borders, and that, so to speak, was probably the grand historical moment of all times compared to the normal bad news. And so what is happening now with all this isolation garbage is infuriating. We went through all that time to mend the differences or whatever, and almost as soon as the champagne is poured, those scalliwags keep pressing into Brzenski Chessboard doctrine and just ruin everything.

People like me or Mr. Putin do not change our minds easily, but he said...I used to think they did it out of arrogance mixed with a sense of impunity. Now I think they're crazy.

Sorry about that. Everything about normalizing relations would be for the win.

Isserley

6th October 2023, 07:16

The buildings from the time of communism and the train station remind me of Zagreb / Croatia... and even the church, although Orthodox, reminds me of our Balkan ones. Overall - the Slavic spirit is present and clearly felt..

Hughe

6th October 2023, 16:12

My Russian language is pretty limited, probably two year old kid. My wife and I communicate with English all the time. When she can't understand my American expression, we use Russian/English translator. I didn't have any chance to talk with politics and economy, also current Russia-Ukraine war with locals. My wife would not create such conversation with her friends or people in front me.

One strange occasion was that a middle age Russian man came to us and he talked about Korean workers in a chicken factory. One week after my wife's connection and talking with locals, she told me that North Korean workers have been working for a chicken factory. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia and North Korea has an labor agreement. Some Russian companies hire North Korean workers to run their business, send wages to North Korean government. The North Korean workers live in isolated environment under surveillance of officers from North Korea. When their term is expired, the workers are sent back to North Korea.

What are Russians' attitudes to/ feelings about
> Putin's management of how Russia is perceived in the 'global south'?
> Europe?
> The USA?
> Propagandized Russophobia? (Do the Russians care?)
It seems most educated, professional Russians who have access to Internet started to support Putin's government since the war. They know that if Russia would loose the Russia-Ukraine war, the Collective West under the United Sates will destroy Russia and its people forever. Exploitation of vast amount of natural resources in Russia, and human resources! So many critics against Putin's long-term control of Russia lower their voices for now.

> The Ukraine conflict? (Do they think Putin is being too cautious and moderate?)
Russian people don't care about the Ukraine conflict much. Because they know Ukraine is doing proxy war for the Collective West.

> The Russian economy right now? (Does it feel healthy and prosperous? Are there any shortages of anything?)
I was impressed and shocked from time to time when I found the cheap price of food or housing cost. Compared to South Korea, living expense is about four to ten times cheaper in Russia. It's possible to buy a small apartment or a house after saving three to four years. In Korea buying a small apartment is near impossible unless the family income is over $200,000 per year with mortgage. Many Russians do have freedom of choice of living based on their income level. If one makes decent money, he/she can drive luxury car from Germany or Japan. If one makes average money, he/she can drive an old car, twenty or thirty years old. If one can't afford a car, he/she uses public transportation - bus, train, taxi. This applies to houses too.
Airplane fee from Nizhny Novogord to Moscow is 8,000 rubles to 4,000 rubles.
Health insurance premium I paid for one year was 1,000 rubles! In Korea, my family (two members) pays about 24,000 rubles monthly.
Sick elders over about 65 have free health care service from hospitals.

> Excellent. I wonder whose rice they are using?
Countries from Southern Asia, India, and Russian region.

> What we might call 'alternative media', and what's presented there?
Definitely

> The Sputnik covid vaccine? (Are there reports of heart injuries and accelerating cancers, as we see in the west? Are there Russian doctors and physicians who criticize the vaxx without getting censored?)
Russian government did not press mandatory vaccination to the people. The Sputnik vaccine is not mRNA type.

Denise/Dizi

9th October 2023, 16:14

Thank You for sharing the images of your new life Hughe... What a crazy transition in one's life, a huge change! I am so happy that you have found happiness.... and Russia doesn't loo much different than any other built up country on this planet.... Invisible boundaries, beliefs and borders, truly are the only thing that divides the population on this planet.

Ravenlocke

10th December 2023, 22:53

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1733899347970990570

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Ravenlocke

10th December 2023, 23:07

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1733965691177304297

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Ravenlocke

17th December 2023, 23:03

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1736457129366556714

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https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1736456533637038219

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1736430985632166054

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https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1736043702915641628

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Ravenlocke

17th December 2023, 23:13

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1736146405641593157

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Bill Ryan

17th December 2023, 23:31

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

:heart:

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

Ravenlocke

18th December 2023, 00:00

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1736303763713892738

1736303763713892738

I am B

18th December 2023, 06:39

I've spent 15 days in Bashkiria (I'm still here in fact, going back tomorrow!) Visiting my gf's family and hanging around a bit. Last time I was here was 2 years ago.

These are my personal general observations and stuff I got from close people here:

- Moscow (spent 2 days there) is preety preety empty regarding people. I know many emigrated with their company or to avoid clnscription, and others had to move out of the city because their jobs were related with the west and they stopped making money.

- There are security detectors and bag scans on every station and comercial centres. Tons of security. Super super annoying.

- I definetly saw an increase of military personel movin around be it walking on the streets, public transport, airports... Could be a seasonal thing, but it did catch my attention, since there were a LOT.

- Visa and Mastercard don't work, and overall they got blocked financially, specially small people. Still they created plenty of banking projects with their own cards and conditions that seem to work really good and with plenty of choice apparently.

- Food Is way cheaper as mentioned before (I'm bringing back a suitcase of caviar). But also salaries are way lower, specially once out of Moscow. A ticket controlling person on a trolleybus here, makes (as said on the ad) 20.000Roubles a month, which I presume to be a salary not above the average, but still.

- Having said this, food quality is AHEAD. And ahead of Spain/france even. Proximity products are valued and sold on even big centres. The only thing lacking a bit is fruit for natural reasons.

- What Is indeed cheaper is energy. (I guess otherwise they'd freeze to death) but Its still impressive. Gas is cheap, and heating is almost free.

- Hardware stuff is the most cheaply priced and good quality. A car battery is 2000Roubles (~20€) and theyre the ones with higher electron charge to resist the cold better. Cooling antifreeze liquid of -40 is 3€. In spain you won't find it for less than 15.

- Most stuff in commercial centres Is cheap chinese made stuff (clothes, etc) pretending in many cases to be brands. Russian people seem to fall for it, although good ol soviet/army stuff is also well valued. (There are two kinds of people, the ones that wear cheap chinese coats, or the ones that wear original multicam winter gorka 3)

- Public transport is reliable, although the machines are old and crunky, theyre soviet made and reliable. 30 roubles and 16 for oldies.

- Casual culture, like concerts etc, is well made. (Assisted to some small local ballet) But there isn't too much of it.

- Unfortunately grandma spent a few days in the hospital. We went to visit. She went to a paid room 10€/day, otherwise she'd be with 5/6 more people. Still, despite having heart problems, there was nothing in the room but a bed, a fridge and some oxygen line. Not monitoring devices, etc. When we went to pay the extra for the room, the obliged us to pay in cash, and the family suspects theres a bit of a tricky trick with the nurses there, but whatever. (Shes okay, coming back as I write this)

- Local national history is praised, both becoming a tourist attraction and a heritage preservation thing.

- There are many children, and they're all local.

- Muslims here are so much different (this is actually a muslim region) There is less imposing muslim stuff here than in Spain. Just people living their lives and their traditions respecting eachother.

- Nobody that I know around here took the jab, elders included.

I haven't talked too much about putin. People seem to respect him and are interested on what he says. But there is this nip of fear in the air. TV is overwhelming with propaganda, plenty of it around what Biden says and how he pulls his Boggers off with each finger.

People seem (I got asked for this twice) to wonder, in an afraid manner, how are they percieved in the west, and If they personally have been demonised by this whole thing in Ukraine.

Idk what else came up. I'll post some more If it comes to mind. Feel free to ask too, I'm still in the country.

Bill Ryan

18th December 2023, 12:30

I am B

18th December 2023, 14:03

Maybe it depends on the person (?) Some checkups seem to be arbitrary, or at least with some specific guidelines. But every metro and every mall door (sometimes stuff that its just a building with shops) has guards, many armed, and bag scanners. (Even the airport has several even before the boarding security checkup. Unavoidable ones) I went around speaking mostly in english, and with a bit of a military backpack with my stuff. Also in general I stick out a bit smh. Still, never before I got my pack scanned so much. Plenty of XRays, some gunlike scanning devices (radiation sniffers??), and everywhere you looked you could see security people. At least in Moscow downtown (Red square, gorky park, etc.) The airport, and the bunkerlike metro they have. I guess its the place they fear something major to happen.

Regarding military presence it wasn't security focused mostly, although many were forming, they seemed to be on the move with uniform on, many with the typical military pack (petate in spanish). Maybe it could be mandatory service related.

Out of moscow, in bachkiria, i've barely seen a couple of police cars in the two weeks here.

Also there are a ton of recruiting ads around, hanged papers and bus stickers. Interesting some actually, asking to be the "man of the family" etc. (They'd be so cancelled in the west... xD)

Bill Ryan

24th December 2023, 16:41

:heart:

https://t.me/myLordBebo/17474

myLordBebo/17474

Bill Ryan

25th December 2023, 21:12

A Cossack sword dance. :muscle:

https://t.me/myLordBebo/17576

myLordBebo/17576

Ravenlocke

26th December 2023, 22:38

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1739763280221016303

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Ravenlocke

26th December 2023, 22:53

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1739548185385640146

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1739538060335800608

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1739634202767753269

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Ravenlocke

26th December 2023, 22:57

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1739276424513499479

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Ewan

27th December 2023, 10:45

“Russians wear their hearts on their sleeves, in all of their joy and pain, and don’t dance around what they really want to say with pretty formalities and lies.”

“Be careful over there. The FBI is investigating any Americans that have anything to do with Russia. You might want to delete your Facebook.” That’s what my grandfather told me as he waved me goodbye at SFO as I took my first steps to relocating to St. Petersburg, Russia. But the Russia he imagines—cold hearts, cold faces, cold weather—is much, much different from the one I fell into headfirst.

Cold War leftovers have unfortunately given many Americans a very negative view of Russia. Why don’t Russians smile at each other? What about the bribery? What about the vodka? It’s not a nuanced understanding and is largely made up of movie villain stereotypes.

I had an argument with some family not too long ago about World War II and why the Nazi surrender is still so widely celebrated in Russia. “We won that war,” they said emphatically. “They would have gone under if it wasn’t for us.” I tried to explain that they had learned only one side of the war’s history, that the Soviet Union suffered nearly five times more casualties than the U.S. But anyways, it doesn’t matter.

Growing up in America, we are often taught that it’s “us vs. them,” and that anything just far enough outside of “us” wants to harm us—and Russia is no small exception.

When I first landed in St. Petersburg, I was plagued by safety concerns over pickpockets and corruption and what it meant to be a young woman here alone. But what I encountered instead were truly kind people (actually kind instead of just nice) who were willing to drop everything and help me, a near stranger to them, simply because I’d asked. More than anything, Russia has taught me that there are two sides to every story (especially those you learn in school) and that your mind is almost never truly as open as you think it is.
Russian love is not temporary

I’m constantly explaining to my American friends that Russians don’t smile at strangers because they don’t see any point in starting a relationship with someone they’ll likely never see again once they get off the bus. Russians place more value on maintaining deep connections with family and close friends than on niceties with strangers.

In the U.S., which is extremely focused on work culture, these connections can be trivial and forgotten. I’m constantly overwhelmed by the speed and generosity with which Russians accept me as a friend. At a housewarming party, I had four separate people, none of whom I had invited, offer to help me find a job after I’d expressed discontent with the one I had then. Friends have dropped everything they’re doing at the drop of a pin to come look at an apartment with me and make sure I didn’t get scammed in the process. My friends delight at any opportunity to spend time with me, even if it’s as simple as taking a walk in the park together.

Russians taught me how to be earnest
“Would you like some tea?”
“No. Give me some coffee.”
I was taken aback when this was how my friend Sergei responded to my formality. An interaction like this would send Americans reeling and peeling dollars away from their tips, but in Russia this is the norm. Don’t lie about what you want. If you are happy, say so. Angry? Then say so. If you want to be alone, don’t make up excuses—just go be by yourself.

Russians wear their hearts on their sleeves, in all of their joy and pain, and don’t dance around what they really want to say with pretty formalities or lies. If an old lady on the metro wants your seat, she will simply tell you to get up. If a Russian asks for your phone number, they will call you.

Likewise, Russians don’t try to cover up their history. Instead, they carry it within themselves, the good and the bad, and grapple with it publicly rather than hiding it away in shame. When I once asked my friend Dasha why she looked sad, I expected a standardly polite response that everything was fine, she was just tired. Instead, she told me without hesitation that she was sad because her grandfather was nearing the end of his life and she wasn’t sure if she would make it to her hometown to celebrate his birthday with him. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she did nothing to stop them. I was amazed by the lack of shame with which she displayed her emotions. My time in Russia has taught me that it takes more effort to tell a polite lie than a straightforward truth, and honesty will always lead to better things.
Russians have given me adventure

I’m constantly amazed by how much there is to do in St. Petersburg—be it strictly legal or not. This city of beauty and history and often blood is flourishing with a spirit that is at once contemplative and adventurous, historical and modern.

I’ve done things in Russia I never once would have dreamed of doing back in the United States. Walking along frozen canals in the coldest week of the winter, climbing roofs (even though I’m afraid of heights), going into the forest alone to gather mushrooms. It’s not skydiving, but a quieter kind of adventure—one that looks at the world and asks, “How can I make the best of what’s been given me?” Learning the bold-faced audacity of Russians to take the world head on, to exist so fully and unapologetically: This is perhaps the greatest adventure I’ve been on in my life.

Every Westerner should come to Russia at some point in their lives. All the fearful whispers about differences and lawlessness go away as soon as you experience Russians’ hospitality and generosity. And, even when I’m complaining about yet more dill on my food, I know that Russia has changed me to my very core and that I, for one, plan to be unapologetic about that forever, just like Russians have taught me.

Found here (https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/328931-russians-changed-life-victoria) with other links about Life in Russia through expats eyes.

Ewan

27th December 2023, 10:56

Krasnoyarsk residents experienced -35°C (-22°F) frosts in the city and as low as -50°C (-58°F) in the region. Meanwhile, a frost of -51°C (-60°F) was recorded in the Severo-Yenisei District.

A member of the ‘Kriofil’ (‘Cryophile’) winter swimming club during a swim in the Yenisei River in -30℃ (-22°F) temps.

https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/rbthmedia/images/2023.12/original/65787982ccf5d5695c03763c.jpg

In the north of Primorsky Krai, it is currently below -20°C (-4°F), but feels like -40°C (-40°F), due to the wind. Vladivostok's embankment, meanwhile, literally looks like the Snow Queen's domain!

https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/rbthmedia/images/2023.12/original/65787980ccf5d5695c037637.jpg

--

Also: American finds his calling making cheese

Expat story (https://www.rbth.com/society/2014/09/21/american_finds_his_calling_making_russian_cheese_39951.html)

Ravenlocke

28th December 2023, 01:49

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1740068322186813739

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1740123386108604482

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1740122384764461281

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1740116745837490343

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Bill Ryan

28th December 2023, 12:04

But this probably isn't everyday life in Russia. :ROFL:

https://t.me/myLordBebo/17844

myLordBebo/17844

Ewan

28th December 2023, 14:05

But this probably isn't everyday life in Russia. :ROFL:

https://t.me/myLordBebo/17844

myLordBebo/17844

For all I know she is a tiny 4' 11! but either way that is a big bear!

I am B

28th December 2023, 19:19

But this probably isn't everyday life in Russia. :ROFL:

https://t.me/myLordBebo/17844

myLordBebo/17844

"Fun" fact:

Before my recent trip there, during some chitchat, my dad asked my fiance, in a (pointless) joking kind of way:
"So, they're having issues with the bears in Russia now?"
In her Russian ways, mentioned by ewan on that article, she was more weirded out than amused, without an obvious answer to such smart non-cliche question.

Despite that, after a few days in Bashkiria, we were going around with her grandad's Lada, and she stole the silly question and asked the same to him. His answer was unexpectedly dead serious:

" Yeah! There is a lot of bear hunting now! The population this year has overgrown. In fact, this fall, two people from the city went to pick up mushrooms and didn't come back, they were found later. (Dead) And I think there was another hurt one. So bear hunting Is free this year. Its easier to find bear fat if you want."

ExomatrixTV

30th December 2023, 00:07

Slav Meme Compilation :russia: :

OUHVRWdVQCI
videos/clips used (credits):

01 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Moscow Moscow Missile Meme! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuCIA31LfIU&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=1&t=0s)
02 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Slavic train with hardbass (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3hL0IEKbq4&t=0s)
03 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Slav soldier handling civilian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMPb-4sPzG0&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=6&t=0s)
04 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Slav soldier handling civilian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMPb-4sPzG0&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=6&t=0s)

05 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Most Slav thing ever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlAYEbpniAs&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=7&t=0s)

06 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Little russian girl harvesting carrot...
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xADcMXHT3HA&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=5&t=0s)
07 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Russian Gopnik Tank with Hardbass
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIqr94NDeTE&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=3&t=0s)
08 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Russian Push Ups Meme
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7qWEbvur2I&t=0s)
09 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Video Unknown
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Yedlh_XTY&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=11&t=0s)
10 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Russian Troops "Oppa, Oppa" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7dwcRN82jc&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=8&t=0s)

11 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Sweet Sadistic Slav (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOcZCDK_0oY&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=10&t=0s)

12 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Slav shower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcuHV9bxWTU&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=9&t=0s)

13 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Tank Drift in Russian Style (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUXvRYpXimE&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=12&t=0s)

14 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Moskau remix tank meme, headphones us... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZT9yrmR51M&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=13&t=0s)

15 https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png • Blyat to the future
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXkWC-gJqnA&list=PLU9Kg9cjE9T1r2Sc9v1LsIYGX4eP_zZ4O&index=14&t=0s)

Ewan

31st December 2023, 20:31

101,312 views Dec 24, 2023 KAMTCHATKA

Filmmaker Mike Magidson, a native Californian living in Paris, and French anthropologist Nastassja Martin have just landed in Petropavlovsk, the capital of Kamchatka. Over recent years, Nastassja has developed close ties with an Even family, former reindeer herders, and today, she is back to introduce her baby daughter to them.

From the capital, they set off on a 700km trip through majestic inhospitable landscapes at -30°, crossing a mining and military zone and completing the last stretch on snowmobiles. Finally, they arrive in Tvaian, a hunting camp cut off from all means of communication. Daria and her family live there in tune with their traditions and in a spiritual relationship with their environment.

lj1cZkZmjSk

Ravenlocke

9th January 2024, 05:33

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1744216303580184646

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Ravenlocke

9th January 2024, 05:41

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1743604843061690596

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https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1743199519666295192

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Ravenlocke

10th January 2024, 00:18

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1678402375550205952

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https://x.com/Greyshopru/status/784699426703044608

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https://x.com/StasSwanky/status/1191519360717864961

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Text:
🎂 Hero of Russia Magomed Nurbagandov could have turned 39 today.

In 2016, an officer of the Russian Guard committed a heroic act by refusing to comply with the demands of terrorists under the threat of death.

The phrase “Work, brothers!” said by Magomed in the last seconds of his life became the unofficial motto of Russian law enforcement officials.

In November 2016, with the participation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Military Historical and Cultural Center under the Government of the Russian Federation, the award "Work, brothers!" was named after Hero of Russia Magomed Nurbagandov. - FRWL reports
https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1744845115829420167

1744845115829420167

Bill Ryan

10th January 2024, 15:34

Another day in Russia, another tiger on a walk. :heart:

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/98092

DDGeopolitics/98092

Bill Ryan

14th January 2024, 14:30

An injured lynx cub was rescued, treated, and released back into the wild. :heart:

The text:
A wounded lynx cub was rescued in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The animal was hanging from a tree branch and could not get down on its own.

People were able to gain the little lynx's trust, and took him to a veterinary clinic, where he was treated. But after that, the clinic had to say goodbye to the furry client - the animal is wild and could not even eat while in the building.

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/98569 (https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/98569)
DDGeopolitics/98569

Bill Ryan

16th January 2024, 18:26

Lunesoleil

16th January 2024, 23:01

My prisons and the future of Russia

Boris Kagarlitsky, Russia's internationally renowned sociologist, political scientist and left-wing activist, was released from prison after four months. Fortunately, he was only fined for "approval of terrorism". However, he can no longer teach or work in Russia.

The opposition breathed a sigh of relief, as the 65-year-old dissident was facing up to six years in prison. Although we can't go into the details of the case, we spoke to Boris about his experience in prison and his thoughts on the general state of the country.

This is Boris's first interview since his release from Siktyvkar prison (Komi Republic), 1300 kilometers from Moscow, and we are delighted to be able to offer it on Naufraghi/e, which interviewed him last year. In Italian (ed. Castelvecchi), his book "L'impero della periferia. Storia critica della Russia dalle origini a Putin", and in spring, from the same publisher, his new book "La lunga ritirata", a wide-ranging reflection on the defeat of the European left and its prospects.

For readers who haven't been able to follow your story closely, let's summarize the reasons that led to your detention.
Officially, I was accused of having "approved terrorism". As proof of my alleged crime, they used an excerpt from a video in which I commented on the Ukrainian attack on the Crimean bridge in October 2022. The title of the video was "The Bridge Cat's Explosive Salute". I was referring to a cat who lives on this bridge and who all the bloggers had been talking about when Putin had arrived in Crimea the day before the explosion. It was just a sarcastic joke, nothing more. Faced with this, even the judge had to acknowledge that there was no approval of terrorism on my part, even though he obviously couldn't acquit me. In fact, the reasons for my arrest were different from those officially declared. In the middle of last year, a campaign was underway to close the mouths of all more or less well-known critics of the government, whether on the left or the right. It wasn't just me who was arrested, but also a reactionary figure like Igor Strelkov, for example.

In any case, you ended up spending four and a half months in prison.
Yes, but it wasn't the first time. I was imprisoned in Soviet times, under Brezhnev, when I formed "socialist clubs", then in 1993 and again in 2001. I have to say that something has changed for the better since then....

Tell us what Russian prisons are like. In the West, we have the idea that they can resemble something gloomy, halfway between the cells of the tsarist empire and the barracks of the gulags.
It has to be said straight away that in Russia, there are different forms of detention, more or less harsh. Fortunately, I found myself in one of the best-equipped cells. There were four of us, and the one who was doing best, so to speak, was a prisoner who had already been awaiting trial for over six years. He was already very well organized and had his own television and refrigerator, which he had obviously bought out of his own pocket. He was highly respected in the prison. So, for example, the guards couldn't put an inmate in his cell who wasn't to his liking. But remember, this is a prison for prisoners awaiting trial. Then there are the detention camps, i.e. the places where you serve your sentence if convicted, which are far worse. These are often isolated establishments in the woods where you have to work. But there are always loopholes: one prisoner who was there with me when he was sentenced was allowed to stay on as a cook. This was an advantage because, as an acquaintance, he always guaranteed you a larger ration. You could also buy food at the commissary (which was very expensive anyway) and order pizzas outside, but they arrived the next day, cold of course.

What was your relationship with the other prisoners? In Russia, we're used to everyone being afraid to talk about "forbidden" subjects such as war or the corruption of power.
In prison, no one is afraid to talk. After all, what else could one be condemned to? From this point of view, it is paradoxically an oasis of freedom. Prisoners are generally very critical of what's going on in the country. I haven't met anyone who was enthusiastic about the war in Ukraine. But there's a point to be made: the person who declares himself against the war may, at the same time, be ready to go and fight because it gets him out of prison. Prisoners who have to serve a sentence of more than five years mainly try to take advantage of this opportunity. If the sentence is shorter, they prefer to stay in prison and not risk their lives. I also met a prisoner who had gone to the Ukraine as a volunteer and who, on his return, had been arrested again. Yet he too was against the war.

In Russia, are common-law prisoners separated from political prisoners?
In Soviet times, there was such a separation, but today that's no longer the case. Today, the division in Russian prisons is different. We separate those who create problems from those who don't, those who are "low quality" from those who are "high quality". Rapists, drug dealers, etc. are obviously considered "low quality" and certainly don't make a good life behind bars. Two of the people in the cell with me were accused of murder but came from "respectable social strata", being former businessmen, and were therefore still considered "high quality".

What about relationships with the outside world, such as correspondence?
I received some. Of course, it was censored. Two letters were blocked because they informed me that there was a rumor about Putin's death. I could also write. I could write four articles, which obviously had nothing to do with "hot topics". Someone started urging me to write "prison diaries", but I refused, replying that I had no intention of spending a long time in prison like Gramsci!

Is it possible to receive books in prison?
As far as books are concerned, the situation is complicated. There's an internal library, but it only contains literature, not non-fiction. Even from outside, we can only receive literature. Another problem is that there is no prison library catalog. So you have to ask for a title at random and, after a while, the librarian tells you whether it's available or not. I used to ask my cellmates what they'd read, which gave me an idea of what to ask for. We read a lot in prison to pass the time.
No non-fiction, worse than in Italy during Fascism.
For the first month and a half, the librarian was ill and I couldn't order anything. After that, I managed.

As a sociologist, what did you learn about the social composition of the prisoners? Are they mainly proletarians or sub-proletarians?
Yes, a lot of proletarians, but also a lot of civil servants in prison for corruption. There was also the former deputy mayor of a small town. He was in prison for murder. He had unintentionally killed someone during a drunken brawl that had followed a town party. There were also several businessmen with links to criminal organizations. And, of course, a lot of workers, unemployed and young people. A kaleidoscope of Russian society as a whole. Many crimes are income-related. No income at all, or not enough to live on.

Living in Moscow, one almost gets the impression that crime in Russia doesn't exist, that the regime strives to give an image of tranquility and security. Even the "mainstream" newspapers don't report cases of crime.
This is not really the case. Every evening, the program "Dejurnaja Cast" ("Service Station"), much watched by the inmates, is broadcast on television, where crime is discussed. Then there's a daily crime show on local TV, which lasts an hour and in which many inmates recognize friends and relatives involved in a bad deal...

What about migrants?
Of course, there are a lot of migrants in prison. Most are Uzbeks, far fewer Kazakhs. They represent around 15-20% of the prison population. Then there are the elements of the post-Soviet diaspora, mainly of Azeri origin.

Has this "extreme" condition led you to reflect on Russian society in general?
In prison, you get to meet people you wouldn't normally associate with. In my opinion, many people in prison can't be described as criminals. They don't have this "intrinsic tendency" towards criminality. They are people who cross the boundaries of legality with relative ease. People for whom minor infringements of the law are commonplace, and who sooner or later end up being caught. Take, for example, a young man who got into a fight with his neighbors because they were playing loud music. He wasn't a criminal, but someone who found it easy to settle his differences that way. For such people, crossing certain boundaries isn't such a big deal.

I know you as an optimistic person, both individually and politically. After this experience, are you still optimistic?
Yes, I'm an optimist by nature. I was convinced that I wouldn't be in prison for long, and that's been the case. I have reason to be optimistic. If you believe that good things are going to happen to you, the chances of them actually happening increase.

You know that about your imprisonment, someone even joked on social media, "The powers that be don't know what it means to arrest Kagarlitsky". In the days of the USSR, after his arrest, Brezhnev died almost immediately!
... and imagine that, after my last arrest, the rumor started to spread that Putin was dead and that the man we saw on TV was just a stand-in!
Even Gorbachev, before he died, entitled his autobiography "I Remain Optimistic".

You have to admit that stories like mine don't usually end well. The fact that I'm a university professor, political scientist and sociologist, known abroad, helped me a lot. Not only that, but the public opinion campaign in my favor helped. Even some people at the top thought it best to let me go, that my case was hurting them more than it was benefiting them. But if the same thing had happened to a provincial left-wing or civil rights activist, nobody would have helped him. For example, there was an activist in prison who had criticized the government on his blog and was serving a five-and-a-half-year sentence for the same offence.

For me, it was good and I'm happy, but the injustice remains obvious.
From a political point of view, I can say this: in the March presidential elections, Putin will certainly be re-elected, but the mere fact that part of public opinion thinks he's dead and is being replaced by an understudy says a lot about the credibility of these elections.People believe much less in the system than they did six years ago.For the first time, people feel deep down that these elections are not legitimate.The situation is also different for the bureaucratic nomenklatura.The bureaucracy is tired of having to solve the problems that the Kremlin constantly creates. For example, many feel that these elections are pointless when they have other problems to deal with. In the provinces, this unease is even more evident than in Moscow. It's a new phenomenon.

Russia is on the brink of a crisis in which the greatest danger comes not from the people, but from the bureaucracy. The bureaucracy increasingly tends to sabotage and slow down government projects. Later, the people will mobilize too, but for the moment, the main destabilizing factor is the bureaucracy. The authorities are incapable of solving the problems. It continues along the path of repression and propaganda, and accumulates problems. As a Russian proverb says: "to cure the sick, they break the thermometer". They think that by not tackling them, the problems will solve themselves. The opposition may not know the level of accumulated problems, but it's more interesting to note that those in power don't either. Nobody knows when or how this will turn into social protest. But it is certain that, for different reasons, all classes in today's Russia are dissatisfied and undecided.

Yurii Colombo
https://naufraghi.ch/le-mie-prigioni-e-il-futuro-della-russia/

Lunesoleil

16th January 2024, 23:17

https://i0.wp.com/shop.cramcram.fr/img/cms/Images%20contes%20divers/baba-yaga-5018030_960_720.jpg?ssl=1

Christmas Story - The Witch Baba Yaga( Russia)

In a village in the Russian countryside lived a little girl who no longer had a mother. Her father remarried, but chose a wicked woman. She hated the little girl and treated her badly. "How can I get rid of this child?" thought the stepmother. One day, when her husband had gone to the market to sell wheat, she said to the little girl: "Go to my sister, your kind aunt, and ask her for a needle and thread to sew you a shirt."

The little girl put on her pretty red kerchief and set off. On the way, she said to herself, how clever she was: "First I'll go and ask my real nice aunt, my real mommy's sister, for advice." Her aunt received her kindly.
Auntie," said the little girl, "Daddy's new wife sent me to her sister to ask for a needle and thread to sew me a shirt. But first, I came to ask you for some good advice.
- And you were right. Your stepmother's sister is none other than Baba-Yaga, the cruel ogress! But listen to me: there's a birch tree in her garden that wants to whip your eyes with its branches, so tie a ribbon around its trunk. You'll see a big squeaky gate that wants to close by itself, so put some oil on its hinges. Dogs will want to eat you, so throw them some bread. Finally, you'll see a cat who'll poke your eyes out, so give him a piece of ham.
- Thank you, Auntie," replied the little girl.
She walked for a long time, and finally arrived at Baba-Yaga's house. Baba-Yaga was weaving. "Hello, Auntie.
- Hello, niece.
- My mother sent me to ask you for a needle and thread so she can sew me a shirt.
- Well, I'll go and get you a straight needle and some white thread. In the meantime, sit in my chair and weave.
The little girl set to work. She was very happy.
Suddenly, she heard Baba-Yaga say to her servant in the courtyard: "Heat the bath and wash my niece thoroughly. I want to eat her for dinner."
The little girl trembled with fear. She saw the servant enter and bring in logs, bundles and buckets full of water. Then she tried to put on a friendly, cheerful voice, and said to the maid: "Hey, maid, split less wood, and to bring the water, use a colander instead!" And she gave her her pretty red kerchief.
The little girl looked around. A bright fire was beginning to blaze in the fireplace, and the water was beginning to sing in the cauldron, and although it was ogress water, it sang a lovely song.

But Baba-Yaga was getting impatient. From the courtyard, she asked: "Are you weaving, my niece? Are you weaving, my darling?
- I'm weaving, Auntie, I'm weaving."
Without making a sound, the little girl got up, went to the door... But the cat was there, skinny, black, frightening! With his green eyes, he looked into the little girl's blue ones. He was already digging out his claws to gouge them out. But she gave him a piece of ham and asked softly: "Tell me, please, how can I escape Baba-Yaga?"

The cat first ate the whole piece of ham, then smoothed his whiskers and replied: "Take this comb and towel and run away. Baba-Yaga will come after you. Stick your ear to the ground, and if you hear her coming, throw away the towel, and you'll see! If she's still chasing you, stick your ear to the ground again, and when you hear her on the road, throw away the comb, and you'll see!"
The little girl thanked the cat, took the towel and comb, and ran off.

But as soon as she left the house, she saw two dogs even skinnier than the cat, ready to devour her. She threw them some soft bread, and they did her no harm.
Then the big fence creaked and tried to close to prevent her from leaving the enclosure. But as her aunt had told her, she poured a whole can of oil on the hinges, and the gate opened wide to let her through. On the way, the birch whistled and fluttered to whip her eyes. But she tied a red ribbon to its trunk, and the birch greeted her and showed her the way.

She ran, she ran, she ran. Meanwhile, the cat was weaving. From the courtyard, Baba-Yaga asked again: "Are you weaving, my niece? Are you weaving, my darling?
- I'm weaving, my old aunt, I'm weaving," replied the cat in a loud voice."
Furious, Baba-Yaga rushed into the house. No more little girl! She scolded the cat and shouted: "Why didn't you gouge out her eyes, you traitor?
- Eh!" said the cat. I've been in your service for a long time now, and you've never given me the smallest bone, while she's given me ham!"
Baba-Yaga scolded the dogs. Eh!" said the dogs. We've been in your service for a long time, and you've only thrown us one old crust? Whereas she gave us soft bread!"
Baba-Yaga shook the fence. Hey!" said the fence. I've been at your service for a long time now, and you've never put a single drop of oil on my hinges, while she's poured a whole can full of it!"

Baba-Yaga attacked the birch tree. Eh!" said the birch. I've been in your service a long time, and you've never adorned me with a thread, whereas she's adorned me with a beautiful silk ribbon!
- And me," said the maid, who wasn't asked to do anything, "and me, in all the time I've been in your service, I've never received so much as a rag from you, while she's given me a pretty red kerchief!"
Baba-Yaga whistled for her mortar, which arrived belly-down, and she jumped in. Playing with the pestle and covering her tracks with her broom, she dashed after the little girl across the countryside.
The little girl pressed her ear to the ground and heard Baba-Yaga approaching. So she threw down the towel, which turned into a wide river! Baba-Yaga was forced to stop.
She gnashed her teeth, rolled her yellow eyes, ran back to her house, brought her three oxen out of the stable and down to the river. And the oxen drank all the water down to the last drop. Then Baba-Yaga resumed her pursuit.

The little girl was far away. She pressed her ear to the ground. She heard the pestle on the road. She threw the comb, which turned into a dense forest! Baba-Yaga tried to enter it, to saw through the trees with her teeth. But she couldn't! The little girl listened: nothing more. All she could hear was the wind blowing through the forest's green and black fir trees.

Yet she kept running, because it was getting dark, and she thought: "My daddy must think I'm lost.
The old peasant, back from the market, had asked his wife: "Where's the little girl?
- Who knows!" replied the stepmother. I sent her hours ago to run an errand for her aunt. Finally, the little girl, her cheeks all red from running, arrived at her father's house. He asked her:
"Where are you from, little one?
- Ah!" she said. Little Father, my mother sent me to my aunt to get a needle and thread to sew me a shirt, but my aunt is Baba-Yaga, the cruel ogress!
And she told her whole story. The old man was very angry. He beat the stepmother and chased her out of his house, ordering her never to return.

Since then, the little girl and her father have lived in peace. I visited their village, and they invited me to their table. The meal was very good, and everyone was happy.

https://ledixvinsblog.wordpress.com/2023/12/17/conte-de-noel-la-sorciere-baba-yaga-russie/

Ravenlocke

17th January 2024, 18:28

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1747651754064306245

1747651754064306245

Ravenlocke

3rd February 2024, 19:40

The State Anthem of the Russian Federation, performed by various singers at the Russia Day celebration in Sevastopol, Crimea, Russia on 12 June 2015.

h9RwYPsVpfM

Bill Ryan

3rd February 2024, 21:19

The State Anthem of the Russian Federation, performed by various singers at the Russia Day celebration in Sevastopol, Crimea, Russia on 12 June 2015.

h9RwYPsVpfMSo wonderful. :heart:

(Though nothing beats the male choral version in the video below, which always gives me goosebumps even though I'm not Russian at all.) What's notable here is that all Russians are genuinely fiercely proud of their anthem — which can barely be said for any other country in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpyYYB6MSyY

grapevine

3rd February 2024, 23:49

That was wonderfully stirring Bill and even though I didn't understand the lyrics it was easy to get caught up in the passion and sincerity.

English Translation:
Russia is our sacred state,
Russia is our beloved country.
A mighty will, great glory -
Your dignity for all time!

Be glorified, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Ancestor-given wisdom of the people!
Be glorified, country! We are proud of you!

From the southern seas to the polar edge
Our forests and fields are spread out.
You are the only one in the world! You are the only one -
the native land so kept by God!

Be glorified, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Ancestor-given wisdom of the people!
Be glorified, country! We are proud of you!

A wide scope for dreams and for life
The coming years open to us.
We are given strength by our fidelity to the Fatherland.
So it was, so it is and it will always be so!

Be glorified, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Ancestor-given wisdom of the people!
Be glorified, country! We are proud of you!

In contrast the UK National Anthem seems lacklustre, although "Jerusalem" does the trick and (arguably) fills the British soul with the same fire and verve. I shan't quote the words here though so's not to derail the thread, but here's a link to the Last Night of the Proms 2012 rendition of Jerusalem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOFHVXE6yWs[

Ravenlocke

7th February 2024, 00:46

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1754741254800155021

1754741254800155021

Ravenlocke

9th February 2024, 19:26

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1756005512879997075

1756005512879997075

Bill Ryan

18th February 2024, 11:52

Fitness in Russian. :heart:

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/102024

DDGeopolitics/102024

grapevine

18th February 2024, 14:54

Same song as Ravenlocke's post #46. Must be a Russian fav . . . :)

Bill Ryan

2nd March 2024, 22:19

Watch to see what happens half way through this 18-second clip. (That's one of the famous Tu-160 'white swans')

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/103182

The translated text:
If your party isn't like this, don't even think about inviting me.

:ROFL: DDGeopolitics/103182

Ravenlocke

3rd March 2024, 07:56

Text:

✌️🏼On March 1-7, the Sirius Federal Territory (Sochi, Russia 🇷🇺) will host the #WorldYouthFestival, the major international youth event of the year.

🌐 The event will bring together about 20,000 foreign and Russian young leaders in science, culture, education, international cooperation, volunteering, sports, business, and media.

✔️ Stay tuned! There are a lot of fascinating events ahead!

https://x.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/1763140201700810829

1763140201700810829

https://x.com/SgforgoodStella/status/1764014702525554770

1764014702525554770

https://x.com/SgforgoodStella/status/1764026483650277706

1764026483650277706

Text:

Vladimir #Putin declared the #WorldYouthFestival open with an address to the participants. The main message of his speech:

▪️ "I am sure that the festival participants will return home with love for #Russia";

▪️ "Multinational unity for the Russian Federation is the greatest goal";

▪️ "The brotherhood of peoples has always remained and remains the main support, advantage and strength of Russia";

▪️ "There are no borders or dividing lines for young people, this has been shown by hundreds of thousands of applications for participation";

▪️ "You know what a safe world should be like, it’s up to you to create it";

▪️ "We are always open for dialogue".

https://x.com/ferozwala/status/1763996825219158455

1763996825219158455

Ravenlocke

11th March 2024, 22:50

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1767249336897843702

1767249336897843702

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1767264058011439421

1767264058011439421

Bill Ryan

26th March 2024, 21:32

A small story from the frozen north of Russia — with a happy ending. :flower:

https://t.me/ZandVchannel/106287

The text:
Today, in the Murmansk region, emergency workers rescued a brave fisherman who, after the breakdown of an all-terrain vehicle, walked for three days on the tundra.
A resident of the northern region was going to spend a day fishing away from the hustle and bustle of the world, but everything did not go according to plan. The all-terrain vehicle on which he was traveling through the tundra broke down in the middle of the icy plain, and the man found himself in a frosty trap. But the Russian spirit cannot be broken — the man just walked home.
The journey was too long and cold — three days later, rescuers found the poor guy with frostbitten limbs. He was urgently evacuated by helicopter to the doctors in the regional center.
~~~

ZandVchannel/106287

grapevine

30th March 2024, 23:28

Is this Russia’s Smartest Idea in History?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC3g8XSlQ6A (19:09)
"During the first 400 years under Russian rule, Siberia was largely undeveloped. But that changed in the mid 1800s, when the political centre of gravity shifted to the Western Pacific. Many European countries started to establish themselves in this region, and Russia realized that their lack of development in Eastern Siberia was a strategic weakness. Their choice was to either develop the region, or to risk that another nation would do it for them. They chose to build a railroad."

This is the story of the Trans Siberian Railroad with Hindsight." Fascinating . . .

Ravenlocke

31st March 2024, 18:42

Text:
Video,
🇷🇺The Ordinskaya Cave is the largest underwater cave in Russia and one of the longest in the world (length 4,600 meters; depths more than 43 meters).Cold,crystal-clear water provides spectacular visibility,allowing visitors to fully marvel at the beauty of this cave.

https://x.com/Vuk02577707/status/1774416153089122371

1774416153089122371

Bill Ryan

31st March 2024, 18:49

Ravenlocke

4th April 2024, 16:17

Video of a husky running with bears, the husky was lost in Kamchatka Russia and they used a drone to find it and that’s when they discovered the dog was hanging with wild bears🙂

https://x.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1775881135836332199

1775881135836332199

Ravenlocke

8th April 2024, 16:43

Posting this news here not sure if it needs its own thread.

https://tass.com/emergencies/1772051?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=smm_social_share

MOSCOW, April 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to create a special commission for civil defense, emergency and disaster management, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

According to the latest data, more than 10,400 residential houses have been inundated in 39 Russian regions. In the Orenburg Region, which has been hit hardest by the floods, water levels have risen from 8 to 30 centimeters over the day, while in Orsk the water level in the Ural River dropped by 9 centimeters. The flood situation in the Kurgan Region is not any easier. According to the regional Emergencies Ministry's branch, more than 18,000 people are in the zone of possible flooding.

TASS has gathered the key facts about the flood situation in Russian regions.

Situation in the Orenburg Region

- Water levels in the reservoirs of the Orenburg Region increased from 8 to 30 cm over the day. The water level of the Ural River in Orsk, heavily affected by flooding, fell by 9 cm and now stands at 963 cm.

- Over the day, the water has receded from 311 residential houses and more than 1,700 household plots in the Orenburg Region. About 10,100 houses and almost 18,500 plots remain flooded.

- Over 2,000 homestead plots and more than 1,500 households are flooded in Orenburg. During the day, the numbers increased by 231 and 188 respectively, the mayor's office said. Streets in the Kuznechny district have largely lost power.

- As of 9:00 a.m. on April 8, the water level in the Ural River is 872 cm. Water also continues to flow into the Sakmara River, bringing its water level up to 783 cm.

- The Ural River’s water levels will return to normal no earlier than April 25, according to the regional government's press service. Previously, the highest level ever recorded was in 1942 - then it stood at 946 cm.

- Orenburg City Hall reported that almost 790 people had been evacuated, including 35 children, from the flooded area. Emergency rescue operations involved 205 people, 89 units of equipment and 15 watercraft.

- In Novotroitsk, the Orenburg Region, water spilled over a protective dam; work is underway to fill it in. The authorities are evacuating local residents to temporary accommodation centers.

- According to the Emergencies Ministry, the flood wave is shifting towards Orenburg. The water level is currently decreasing near Orsk.

- The authorities of the Orenburg Region are already set to pay out on claims from 276 victims.

Situation in the Kurgan Region

- Over 10,000 houses, homestead plots and country houses may be flooded during this year's floods in the Kurgan Region, according to the latest forecasts from the regional center for hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring.

- More than 18,000 people are in the zone of possible waterlogging, according to the regional Emergencies Ministry's website. Almost 600 people were evacuated in the region.

- The region has been put on high alert; a state of emergency was introduced in the Zverinogolovsky municipal district. According to the authorities, an emergency zone has been established within the boundaries of the settlements of Proryvnoye, Ozernoye, Zverinogolovskoye, Verkhnyaya Alabuga, Bugrovoye, Redut and adjacent territories.

- According to the Kurgan administration's Telegram channel, as of 8:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. Moscow time) on April 8, the water level in the Tobol River near the city stood at 305 cm (above the "zero post"), having increased by 15 cm during the day.

- There is no risk of flooding at multistory buildings in Kurgan, the regional Emergencies Ministry said. Garden associations and private houses, however, are at risk.

Flood situation in other regions

- Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed by the Emergencies Ministry and the governors of the Orenburg, Kurgan and Tyumen regions on how the flood situation is developing and instructed the government to set up a special commission.

- Over 10,400 residential houses are flooded in 39 Russian regions, further flooding of low-lying areas and transportation infrastructure in three regions of the country is predicted, the Russian Emergencies Ministry's press service reported.

- The number of houses flooded by melt water in the Altai Region has increased to 142, the Russian Emergencies Ministry's press service said.

- In the Novosibirsk Region, 49 country houses and 70 homestead plots were flooded in four districts, according to Viktor Orlov, the regional Emergencies Ministry chief. In total, 93 homestead plots, one residential house and 271 country houses were flooded.

- The water level in the Malinovka River rose by 60 centimeters in one day in the Dalnerechensky District of the Primorsky Region, traffic communication with seven settlements was interrupted.

- Floods have left 66 out of 70 buildings submerged in the Chelyabinsk Region, but the situation in the region is stabilizing, the press center of the Emergencies Ministry's Main Directorate for the region reported.

- In Tyumen, the probability of entire districts becoming flooded remains. The Emergencies Ministry will send Mi-26 helicopters to evacuate people and deliver cargo.

norman

8th April 2024, 20:11

Ravenlocke

8th April 2024, 20:34

In the UK Guardian it says a dam burst.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/07/russia-floods-federal-emergency-dam-bursts-orenburg-orsk-ural-river

That location is very near the Kazakhstan border.

Yes posted yesterday,
see here, https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?113363-BREAKING-NEWS-Continuously-Updated&p=1608121&viewfull=1#post1608121

Hughe

16th April 2024, 22:51

I go back to Korea again soon to send my belongings to Russia and to handle stuff. Next time I will come back to Russia, 12 days from now, I will write here about Russian life.

Tintin

25th April 2024, 08:25

A kind of amusing yet sadly accurate summary of tube network comparisons, and at the same time a completely cool idea :sun:

Text:

Subways in some Western cities: navigating though puddles of bodily fluids while trying to avoid getting attacked. 😬

Subway in Moscow: reading an entire library while you travel! 📚

Source: https://twitter.com/NinaByzantina/status/1783224067514102060

1783224067514102060

norman

11th May 2024, 11:36

It was here or the Breaking News thread

https://t.me/disclosetv/13897
disclosetv/13897

Tintin

17th May 2024, 10:15

Of course there will be, and is, poverty in parts of Russia all of which is being addressed as best it can be - she isn't perfect. But, look just how healthy and alive and vibrant the people are here caught candidly on camera-phone. And I say this with no apology: how stunning some of these young women look too :sun:

I'd be interested to see which of America's many is designated its 'second' city (which is it out of interest: NYC?) and how it may compare to this.

Street scenes from St Petersburg

https://avalonlibrary.net/Tintin/2024-05-17_Street_scenes_from_St_Petersburg_Russia.mp4

Ravenlocke

19th May 2024, 09:23

Beautifully done🌞

https://x.com/_MariaZakharova/status/1792090677787967923

1792090677787967923

Bill Ryan

19th May 2024, 11:47

Beautifully done🌞

https://x.com/_MariaZakharova/status/1792090677787967923

1792090677787967923That is just SO SO gorgeous. :heart: (You can see a few brief images of the junior choir at 2:43 and again at 3:07.)

The Russians have more pride in their country, culture and history than any other nation on earth, and this is exactly why they'll never permit their destruction.

Ravenlocke

2nd June 2024, 21:44

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1797376132700123305

1797376132700123305

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1797379640371138705

1797379640371138705

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1797381496883253538

1797381496883253538

Ravenlocke

8th June 2024, 08:30

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1799346457146974358

1799346457146974358

Bill Ryan

12th June 2024, 20:43

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/113061

Pilots of the ‘First Flight’ aerobatic team painted the wings of their planes in the colors of the Russian flag and staged a vibrant air show in the sky on Russia Day, celebrated on June 12.

DDGeopolitics/113061

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 00:13

https://x.com/Russia/status/1800807770519687632

1800807770519687632

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 00:40

Text:
June 12 marks Russia Day, one of the country’s most important national holidays.

The history of Russia Day dates back to June 12, 1990, when the people's deputies of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) signed a declaration announcing the sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

The holiday has now become a symbol of national unity of the Russian people and their common responsibility for the future of their country

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1800829614735937699

1800829614735937699

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 00:50

Text:
These are the translated lyrics of the Russian national anthem:

Russia – our sacred state,
Russia – our beloved country.
A mighty will, a great glory –
Yours forever for all time!

Chorus:
Be glorious, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Wisdom given by our forebears!
Be glorious, our country! We are proud of you!

From the southern seas to the polar lands
Spread our forests and fields.
You are unique in the world! You are one of a kind –
Native land protected by God!

Chorus:
Be glorious, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Wisdom given by our forebears!
Be glorious, our country! We are proud of you!

Wide spaces for dreams and for life
Are opened for us by the coming years.
Our loyalty to the Fatherland gives us strength.
It was so, it is so, and it will always be so!

Chorus:
Be glorious, our free Fatherland,
The age-old union of fraternal peoples,
Wisdom given by our forebears!
Be glorious, our country! We are proud of you!

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1800945085091111204

1800945085091111204

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 01:11

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1800973861103804909

1800973861103804909

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 01:13

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1800873748037620124

1800873748037620124

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 01:16

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1800841808018317560

1800841808018317560

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 01:22

Text:
A true unity in the largest country in the world. Happy holiday Russia! 🇷🇺

People from 30 cities of Russia took part in singing the anthem of the Russian Federation! From Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, from Severomorsk to Makhachkala. Also cities from the new regions like Donetsk and Lugansk.
We are together!

https://x.com/Trollstoy88/status/1800937830270509427

1800937830270509427

Ravenlocke

13th June 2024, 01:27

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1800808680847519847

1800808680847519847

arwen

13th June 2024, 14:22

Greg Reese - 6 minutes

(My comment - high quality of life. This is how life is under sane leadership. Wish I could live there.)

Life in Russia Today

pPvFrOzD7s5u

bojancan

13th June 2024, 17:48

Here and there I was visiting her channel... Elis from Russia channel... I am very impressed about her knowledge about what she is talking and showing in her videos...
She is travelling around the Russia ... from west to very east... from south to north..
She help people to understand, how Russians live in different part of homeland... regarding of political situation... sanctions etc...

Life in Russia after sanctions - ULTIMATE journey through the east to the west
ILsj2LDl10U

Bill Ryan

13th June 2024, 23:13

bojancan

13th June 2024, 23:50

This one is from one month ago... interesting!

Life in the MOST SANCTIONED COUNTRY in the World
NfMtr9wD7Jw

HopSan

14th June 2024, 15:02

Greg Reese - 6 minutes

(My comment - high quality of life. This is how life is under sane leadership. Wish I could live there.)

Life in Russia Today

pPvFrOzD7s5uAn excellent short video. All western visitors to Russia (and many others who have moved there) say exactly the same things, over and over again.

A tiny personal story that supports some of what Greg Reese reports, though in a different era and in a different context. My first visit to Russia was back in 1988, when I was traveling to India but en route was delayed in Moscow for 36 hours. I stayed in a comfortable airport hotel, but had access for hours on end to take advantage of free Intourist (https://www.intourist.com/) bus tours of Moscow.

I was fascinated, and our tour guide was most professional and spoke perfect English. This was 3 years before the fall of the Soviet Union, and I bombarded the poor woman with endless questions about Soviet life and culture.

I wasn't allowed to get out at any point, as I was in transit and didn't have a visa. But even through the windows of the bus I could feel the quiet stoic pride and tremendous resilience of the Soviet people. Not a joke: I picked it up clearly and palpably from all around.

One of the things that impacted me, and which I remember to this day, was our guide telling me that anyone at all could go to see the Bolshoi Ballet after a day's work even as a shop assistant or on a building site, for no more than the price of a good cup of coffee — and thousands of people from every class of society did exactly that all the time.

And when they were there watching the ballet, any class divisions all dissolved completely and the audience was just all Russian people appreciating their shared culture together. I was impressed.

:flower:

I can confirm most.

As I mentioned elsewhere, I was in Moscow in 1981, 'studying russian', but mostly drinking cheap champagne, and learning the world of adults. The metro was the same, safe in the middle of the night. Everything was cheap, people helpful (an old man gave me in a park, unasked, a recipe to treat my acne).

I believe that info in videos above is true. Half of that was true already in 1981, the rest (when Russians are now finally free) can be true also.

In 1981, as a visitor with very limited funds, I bought a cheap ticket to ballet 'Don Quixote' in a concert palace ('New Bolshoi'?) in Kreml. Like Bill's tale.

During 'Covid' I (with my late wife) seriously considered escaping to Russia. I may still do that. Finland is getting worse very rapidly. Finnish people are genetically mostly same as russians, so they are fine, but our leaders are -- like French, German, British... Insane.

Bill Ryan

14th June 2024, 20:09

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/113348
Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Grieg, Bizet and Verdi sounded in the halls of several Moscow hospitals.
The musical gift was organized by the city on the eve of Health Worker Day in gratitude for the important work and loyalty to the profession. The orchestras played religious works for doctors and nurses.
To distract you from the hustle and bustle of the hospital, thank you for your dedication and add 5 stars to your treatment.

DDGeopolitics/113348

Ravenlocke

20th June 2024, 02:36

https://x.com/Hawkeye1745/status/1803177486278123585

1803177486278123585

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1801098038275936767

1801098038275936767

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1799898977694806518

1799898977694806518

Bill Ryan

25th June 2024, 23:17

Alex Christoforou was remarking that Russian superstar singer Shaman (who has just been sanctioned!) was best known for his song "I am Russian", and Alex admitted how catchy it was.

I'd never heard it, so I found it and here it is. The lyrics are captioned in English, and some of the visuals are stunning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LKhA40V0Ew

Ravenlocke

25th June 2024, 23:52

Some of his songs are in the thread: WW3? Ukraine/US vs. Donbass/Russia

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1739753536693436420

1739753536693436420

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1614886940838612993

1614886940838612993

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/1720919264796836076

1720919264796836076

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1562021913391599616

1562021913391599616

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1720812494669619354

1720812494669619354

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1626473965811290112

1626473965811290112

https://x.com/ivan_8848/status/1745422172200280386

1745422172200280386

Ravenlocke

25th June 2024, 23:56

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1805455460536860746

1805455460536860746

Ravenlocke

26th June 2024, 00:02

https://x.com/upholdreality/status/1682451316252069890

1682451316252069890

Ravenlocke

26th June 2024, 00:09

The Red Sails in the background

https://x.com/onlydjole/status/1672869782897475584

1672869782897475584

Ravenlocke

26th June 2024, 00:13

https://x.com/its_maria012/status/1720751285593633021

1720751285593633021

Ravenlocke

26th June 2024, 00:26

This singer Polina Gagarina has also been sanctioned.

https://x.com/SgforgoodStella/status/1764014702525554770

1764014702525554770

Ravenlocke

26th June 2024, 00:32

https://x.com/ArthurM40330824/status/1745163439826178077

1745163439826178077

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1629757430472273920

1629757430472273920

https://x.com/2022Honesty/status/1687218151572848640

1687218151572848640

Ravenlocke

26th June 2024, 00:33

https://x.com/NinaByzantina/status/1684761470494773248

1684761470494773248

Ravenlocke

26th June 2024, 00:44

https://x.com/2022Honesty/status/1773515533477884162

1773515533477884162

Kryztian

26th June 2024, 03:25

Why do Americans choose to move to Russia? To find the answer, independent journalist Tofurious Maximus Crane meets with three emigrant families to get a glimpse into their new lives. Jay Close was born in New York, grew up in California, and has lived in France, Australia, and even Papua New Guinea. He worked as a chef for the Rolling Stones and later managed several restaurants in Moscow. Now, Jay raises goats and makes cheese in the countryside near Moscow, where he has built his home for over 30 years. Another emigrant is Chad Hower, who was granted political asylum in Russia after being persecuted by the CIA in his home country. Finally, Tofurious meets Jozef and Ann, who recently moved to Russia with their six children. Tune in to our premiere to discover the various reasons why some Americans seek a new beginning in Russia. Have these families found a sense of home far from their native land? (26 minutes)

Why_I_moved_to_Russia:8?r=BxFNextabKeww5Fs9osLLXciSEyM45E7

HopSan

26th June 2024, 15:55

Since this thread became a Russian music festival, I'd like to add music that is really representative of their psyche. Notice: melancholy, melodic, not very rhythmic.

Pelageja is a superstar in Russia. Modern versions of folk songs hit the audience always:

rq97mmcYhXo

mMx228QVT3E

HopSan

26th June 2024, 16:40

Since this thread became a Russian music festival, I'd like to add music that is really representative of their psyche.

Not the most modern Russia, but I believe Vysotsky (underground superstar) from early 70's hits (then certainly, I believe also now) the Russian core.
Spirit: We die when we die, happens when happens, I take it when it comes, this is the fate, God please help me.

yt9Aio4FkA4

Translation:

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/koni-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8-horses.html

Ravenlocke

27th June 2024, 05:29

Text:
🇮🇳🇷🇺 WHAT DOES RUSSIA IMPORT FROM INDIA?

In 2023-24, India exported around $3.14 billion worth of goods to Russia, according to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Some of the major items include:👇

➤ Pharmaceuticals: Drug formulations and biologics ($416 million) and bulk #drugs and intermediates ($128 million) are major exports.

➤ Chemicals: Residual chemical and allied products ($182m) and organic #chemicals ($226.73m).

➤ Iron and steel: Contributes significantly with exports valued at $159 million.

➤ Marine products: Exports of #seafood amounted to $148 million.

➤ Agricultural products: Coffee, tea, mate and spices together accounted for $58.4 million.

India sold 44,800 tonnes of unprocessed aluminum to Russian companies for $16.5 mln in April, according to Sputnik's analysis of Indian customs data. This marks the first delivery of the metal to Russia since at least the start of 2009.

https://x.com/Sputnik_India/status/1805845273769300358

1805845273769300358

Ravenlocke

4th July 2024, 22:42

Ravenlocke

4th July 2024, 23:20

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1808852282278359241

1808852282278359241

https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240704/north-africas-share-in-russian-grain-export-grows-to-226-in-2023-2024-season-1067367709.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

North Africa's Share in Russian Grain Export Grows to 22.6% in 2023-2024 Season
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Africa was the destination for 22.6% of Russian grain exports in the 2023-2024 season, the Russian Agriculture Ministry's export... 04.07.2024, Sputnik Africa

In particular, the Agroexport group exports products to approximately 50 countries, the press release says.
"Wrapping up the 2023-2024 season, North African countries accounted for 22.6% of Russian grain exports," Agroexport quoted Eduard Zernin, chairman of the board of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters, as saying during a panel meeting.

This includes 1.1 million tonnes of grain exported to Tunisia, three times the value recorded in 2022-2023. The share of Russian wheat in Tunisia's imports increased to 39% in 2023, reaching 40% in the first months of 2024, according to Agroexport.

Ewan

5th July 2024, 09:58

Text Translation:

🍃🐾 Tibetan takin cub born at Moscow Zoo

This is one of the least studied ungulate species, threatened with extinction in the wild.

Follow
@sputnik_brasil

https://x.com/sputnik_brasil/status/1808987400393404670

1808987400393404670

Below is an adult so people know what it looks like without visiting 'X'

https://www.wilddocu.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Budorcas_tibetana_004.jpg

Bill Ryan

6th July 2024, 15:19

Reported by RT today:

https://rt.com/russia/600555-moscow-beauty-pageant-winne

Winner named in beauty pageant at Russia EXPO

The ‘Miss Moscow 2024’ pageant was held at the VDNKh exhibition center ahead of the nationwide contest ‘Beauty of Russia 2024’.

https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2024.07/article/66895c1f85f540338c50c730.jpg

The ‘Miss Moscow-2024’ beauty pageant concluded on Friday at the Russia EXPO international exhibition, which is currently underway at the All-Russian Exhibition Center (VDNKh) in the capital.

Liliana Bulatova, a 20-year-old professional model, was named the winner of the contest, which featured 44 participants aged between 17 and 30.

Bill Ryan

8th July 2024, 21:57

jc71

9th July 2024, 08:51

Bill Ryan

9th July 2024, 12:39

I may have posted this before somewhere! (But if not, I certainly should have. :))

Do watch this to the end. Just a couple of minutes, and highly recommended. The moral of the story is that Russians never give up. :ROFL: :muscle:

Never Give Up

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

I wonder if that thing is ULEZ* compliant? :laughs:

Ha. :ROFL:
(*ULEZ = Ultra Low Emission Zone)

I'm sure the vast Siberian forests can absorb any amount of CO2, and be much the better for it!

The YouTube comments are a bunch of fun. Non-Russians were asking what this machine was, like: "Is that a Volvo??"

'NO NO NO", came the Russian replies, "It's a Kirovets K-700. You've never heard of it? It's the best in the world." :)

Советский трактор K-700 КИРОВЕЦ против всех ч2|
Soviet tractor K-700 KIROVETS against all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IriLVml8nfM

jc71

9th July 2024, 22:32

I only commented on ULEZ as it is a ridiculous tax we pay in London. My wife's very efficient 2 litre diesel BMW gets charged £12.50 every day she goes to college in outer London whilst my V8 BMW sports car doesn't attract the charge. Totally ridiculous! I was just enjoying those diesel plumes out of the tractor as it does its sterling work 🙂.

JC

Bill Ryan

2nd August 2024, 17:21

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/118122
The Day of the Russian Airborne Forces - VDV - is celebrated all across the country.
~~~

DDGeopolitics/118122

grapevine

15th August 2024, 22:31

Russia Just Unleashed A "NEW Mega Trade Corridor" That's Set To Change Shipping Forever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiRdn0SMVe4 9:22
Let’s talk about some exciting news coming from Russia. They’re making some bold moves with their mega trade route project and strengthening ties with Asian countries, especially China. These changes are not just about moving stuff around; they show how Russia is adapting to new global situations. Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans for a new international transport corridor. This corridor is supposed to connect the Baltic and Barents Seas to the Indian Ocean. What does that mean? Well, it’s all about creating a smoother railway connection that could change the game for shipping goods.

Right now, if you send stuff through the Suez Canal, it takes about 45 days to get to its destination. But with this new corridor, Putin says we could cut that time down to just 25 days! That’s pretty amazing, right? And here’s the kicker: shipping costs could drop by up to 30%. Imagine how much money businesses could save! Putin pointed out that Russia needs to speed up building railway connections, saying, “We need to create seamless railway communication from the Baltic and Barents Sea to the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.”

Putin made this announcement on Railway Workers’ Day, which makes sense given how important this plan is. He laid out a vision that includes not just railways but also high-speed trains and logistics corridors. One major hub will be in Moscow, making it easier to move goods and people over long distances. The Russian government is putting a huge amount of money into this—about 5.6 trillion rubles, which is around $70 billion! That’s a serious investment. Some key projects in this plan include the North-South and Dzhubga-Sochi transport corridors, which will greatly improve connectivity.

And let’s not forget about high-speed trains! Plans are in the works to launch two segments of a high-speed railway network, including the Moscow-St. Petersburg route. The total investment for this high-speed network is estimated at 10.8 trillion rubles, or about $130 billion. Clearly, Russia is committed to modernizing its transport system. While new projects are exciting, it’s also important to upgrade the railways that are already in place. Putin has emphasized the need to modernize critical routes like the Baikal-Amur Mainline and the Trans-Siberian Railway. These routes are vital, especially when paired with the Northern Sea Route (NSR), which is becoming more important for trade.

The Northern Latitudinal Railway is another important project that connects to Arctic ports. This 700-kilometer route in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District is expected to boost Russia’s logistics capabilities in the Arctic. Putin mentioned that these railways need to work together with the NSR to reach their full potential. As Russia pushes forward with these plans, it’s also looking to strengthen its economic relationship with China. This is especially important given the geopolitical shifts and the Western sanctions imposed on Russia after its actions in Ukraine.

Recently, Russia invited China to help develop the Northern Sea Route and create an ice-class merchant fleet. These discussions happened during a meeting in Vladivostok focused on developing the Russian Far East and Northeast China. Let’s talk numbers: trade between Russia and China has exploded in the past two decades. In 2002, their trade was about $12 billion, but by 2023, it skyrocketed to an impressive $240 billion. That’s an increase of over 1,900%! This growth shows not just a stronger partnership but also how much Russia relies on China for important goods. In 2021, China made up 32% of Russia’s imports; by 2023, that jumped to a staggering 89%.

The collaboration on the Northern Sea Route is a big part of this growing friendship. The NSR is becoming a viable alternative to traditional shipping routes, especially as climate change opens up new paths in the Arctic. In 2023, eight voyages by Chinese firms along the NSR showed its potential, prompting Russia to propose more infrastructure expansions for this route. Plus, the focus on developing high-speed rail networks is another way they’re working together. By improving transport links, Russia aims to make travel and trade easier, positioning itself as a key player in the broader Eurasian transport network.

bojancan

15th August 2024, 23:27

Visiting babushka / baba Nastya in the village of Nizhegorodskaya region.....
Eli from Russia!

How Old Believers live today? | The Volga region, Russia
iYhrOUe6oOU

Old Believers are Eastern Orthodox Christians who maintain the ritual practices of the Russian Orthodox Church as they were before the reforms of Patriarch Nikon of Moscow.
Those who adopted new liturgical practices started to call themselves orthodox – or in Russian - pravoslavnye (which means 'those believing rightly'). People who opposed the reform and followed old practices were named ‘raskolniki’ – schismatics, later known as old ritualists or old believers. They were persecuted by the church and authorities for 2 centuries and only in 1905 the government officially allowed them to exercise their faith.

Time codes:
00:00 I will visit baba Nastya in the village of old believers
00:54 Who are the old believers?
03:27 A village of priestless old believers
04:03 Welcome to baba Nastya's home
05:21 Let's cook pies in a Russian stove
07:52 Ancient spiritual poems and songs
10:38 Yummy pies right from the stove!

Bill Ryan

22nd August 2024, 11:50

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/120225
Famous "Krasnoyarsk Pillars" National Park - Stolby in Eastern Siberia
~~~

DDGeopolitics/120225

Bill Ryan

22nd August 2024, 11:57

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/120197
Moscow was decorated with tricolors for National Flag Day, which is celebrated annually on August 22.
~~~

DDGeopolitics/120197

And look at the size of this enormous flag. :russia:

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/12026

"Victory will be ours" - Participants of a "flash mob" form the phrase in Moscow on National Flag Day.
~~~

DDGeopolitics/120269

Ravenlocke

23rd August 2024, 04:48

Text:
🇷🇺 Russian singers perform the song "For you, Motherland" for Russia's National Flag Day

The first mention of the white-blue-red flag dates back to 1668, when it was raised on the first Russian ship, the Orel, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, and in 1693 it became the personal standard of Peter I. In April 1883, Alexander III ordered: "That in those ceremonial occasions when it is deemed possible to allow the decoration of buildings with flags, only the Russian flag, consisting of three stripes: the top one is white, the middle one is blue, and the bottom one is red, be used." In 1896, a special meeting at the Ministry of Justice, convened by Emperor Nicholas II, determined that the flag "must finally be white-blue-red and no other colors."

There is no single official interpretation of the colors of the flag, but the most common symbolic description is as follows:

⚪️ White color symbolizes purity, independence and peace.
🔵 Blue is the color of faith, devotion and justice (also reminiscent of the blue color of the mantle of the Virgin Mary, which is considered a symbol of Russia).
🔴 Red is a symbol of courage, strength and bravery, and serves as a reminder of our compatriots who gave their lives defending the Motherland.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1826584349929865512

1826584349929865512

Ravenlocke

23rd August 2024, 04:50

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1826603679501484443

1826603679501484443

Ravenlocke

23rd August 2024, 04:51

Text:
Vladimir Putin congratulated his compatriots on the National Flag Day 🇷🇺

While holding a meeting with members of the government, the president took the opportunity to congratulate everyone on the holiday – Russian National Flag Day.

He noted that the “Petrovsky” white-blue-red tricolor unites our state, and soldiers fought under this banner both centuries ago and now.

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1826600217531084976

1826600217531084976

Ravenlocke

23rd August 2024, 05:05

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1826652896060211440

1826652896060211440

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1826651944045404312

1826651944045404312

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1826638696894136362

1826638696894136362

Ravenlocke

23rd August 2024, 05:13

https://x.com/mission_russian/status/1826671340985668070

1826671340985668070

Bill Ryan

28th August 2024, 09:57

:)

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/121086

Everyday life in Kamchatka - employees of a fish factory cafeteria came to work and found a bear having breakfast there.

DDGeopolitics/121086

Bill Ryan

9th September 2024, 15:21

Ravenlocke

9th September 2024, 17:19

https://x.com/Hawkeye1745/status/1832833931961380891

1832833931961380891

https://x.com/Hawkeye1745/status/1832833935870669106

1832833935870669106

https://x.com/Hawkeye1745/status/1832833944468804054

1832833944468804054

ExomatrixTV

10th September 2024, 01:51

You'll never read about this in the western media. :ROFL:

€146 = $157 or £121.

~~~
Dear Europeans. Ive just paid my annual energy Bill here in Moscow Russia.
It covers all electricity, heating (on all through winter automatically from the city), and Water (hot and cold) and rubbish disposal. It cost me €146 for everything for the entire year.

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1833123151833616856
1833123151833616856

The price of Electricity (per 1 kWh) in Moscow, Russia is 3.53 RUB

costtotravel.com/cost/electricity-in-moscow (https://www.costtotravel.com/cost/electricity-in-moscow)

3.53 RUBELS = 0,035 Euro per kWh

Average Netherlands 🇳🇱 Electricity Costs: € 0,32 per kWh = 914% more expensive!

cheers,
John 🦜🦋🌳

Ravenlocke

10th September 2024, 02:11

Text:
🇷🇺🎶🇿🇦 On 8 September the Days of Russia’s Spiritual Culture in South Africa came to an end with the concert by the renowned Moscow Synodal Choir.

The Choir performed the masterpieces of Russian spiritual music of the 18-19 century. It was the first ever visit of the choristers to South Africa.

☦️ The event was held in the Russian Orthodox Church of St.Sergius in Johannesburg and gathered representatives of the diplomatic corps, church members and Russian compatriots living abroad.

🕊 We thank everyone who participated and attended the events within Days of Russia’s Spiritual Culture. The Embassy hopes to further successfully develop the cultural cooperation between the two countries.

#RussianSpiritualDays
#RussiaSouthAfrica

https://x.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/1833124252272230634

1833124252272230634

Ravenlocke

15th September 2024, 17:17

https://x.com/SprinterFamily/status/1835205414285144392

1835205414285144392

Bill Ryan

5th October 2024, 20:40

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

Ravenlocke

10th October 2024, 17:53

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1844263277599260830

1844263277599260830

Tintin

20th October 2024, 15:19

A wonderful series (https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1847945216042373443) of comparison shots of Moscow: 30-40 years ago versus today :flower:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaU4SEbWAAA31VV?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaU4ShHWwAAgew9?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaU4S57XwAAdBa5?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaU4TjOWQAEiKZZ?format=jpg&name=large

Ravenlocke

20th October 2024, 18:16

https://x.com/SenoreAmore/status/1847887516973646072

1847887516973646072

Ravenlocke

25th November 2024, 21:48

https://x.com/Aussie_cossack_/status/1860734377547685955

1860734377547685955

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1860945049158127659

1860945049158127659

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1860701618473242804

1860701618473242804

Ravenlocke

25th November 2024, 21:51

https://x.com/TomatkaP/status/1860698822822728091

1860698822822728091

Ravenlocke

25th November 2024, 21:54

https://x.com/RussiaIsntEnemy/status/1860750970705064170

1860750970705064170

Bill Ryan

3rd December 2024, 17:58

As some may know, I follow these things quite closely. I do think this may belong on this thread! :flower:

The Piolet d’Or is a special award, a kind of 'gold medal of honor' for climbing which is awarded annually to exceptional mountaineers. It literally means (in French) 'Golden Ice Axe'. The Russians have their own version of it.

https://explorersweb.com/women-win-all-around-best-climb-at-the-russian-piolets-dor
(https://explorersweb.com/women-win-all-around-best-climb-at-the-russian-piolets-dor)
Women Win All-Around Best Climb at the Russian Piolets d’Or

Here are the three Russian climbers:

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Russian-Piolets.jpg

They look more like librarians, or maybe shop assistants, than super-athletes that do this simply for fun. :):heart:

Here they are on just one of the many very high and difficult Russian mountains that they climbed together:

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/steel-angels-argo-e1722940117433-700x513.jpg

https://explorersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Argo-face-700x394.jpg

:muscle: :muscle: :muscle:

Ravenlocke

23rd December 2024, 20:22

Text:
🎄RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS STAR IN MOSCOW - THE MAIN CHRISTMAS TREE INSTALLED IN THE KREMLIN

An amazing Christmas tree has been installed in Sobornaya Square in Moscow, decorated with:

▫️2,500 toys (400 are unique)

▫️150 LED decorations, including icicles with a "running light" affect

Christmas miracles may be on the way...

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1871208691778695528

1871208691778695528

Ravenlocke

7th January 2025, 01:29

Text:
Maria Zakharova:

„Merry Christmas! 🎄

Moscow region. Church of St. Michael the Archangel in the village of Tarakanovo. That same Blokovsky temple. Here he got married, here he heard how "a girl sang in the church choir."
That same temple, which was restored as part of the museum complex and since 2022 has again begun to receive parishioners under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church. That same temple, which is revived by your prayers and help. Who will return the icon, who will give the censer, who will fight the bureaucracy.
That same temple, which is being restored thanks to the assistance of Governor Vorobyov and the government of the Moscow region.

Happy Holidays“

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1876399509514657897

1876399509514657897

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1876373813161808334

1876373813161808334

Ravenlocke

7th January 2025, 01:52

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1876360875990561185

1876360875990561185

Ravenlocke

7th January 2025, 01:56

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1876001704480768243

1876001704480768243

Ravenlocke

11th January 2025, 19:39

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1877673168904614148

1877673168904614148

Ravenlocke

11th January 2025, 19:43

Posting this here although it involves Angola. Mods please remove if you know where it may belong, thank you.

Translated text:
In Angola, more than 200 people have joined the Russian Orthodox Church.

As early as 2022, this community had expressed its wish to become a member of the Russian Orthodox Church after learning about it via the Internet, according to the Moscow Patriarchate.

The request was forwarded by the former priest of a non-canonical structure, Antoni, who contacted the missionary department of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

He himself agreed to renounce his title and join the Russian Church as a layman. Then he trained through online courses of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa in Ivory Coast.

While waiting for admission into the Russian Church, the community studied Orthodoxy. Russian missionaries visited regularly to accompany them on this path.

The accession ceremony took place on January 5, 2025 in the capital, Luanda.

#Angola

https://x.com/sputnik_afrique/status/1877651850700149191

1877651850700149191

Ravenlocke

11th January 2025, 20:30

Translated Text:
Believers in Congo-Brazzaville celebrated Orthodox Christmas

Priest Georgy came specially from Russia to celebrate a Christmas service for the Congolese at the Russian House, as well as at the Embassy for Russian nationals.

This is what Sputnik Africa learned from the Russian agency for international humanitarian cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo).

On the occasion of this mass, a young practitioner urged his compatriots to come in large numbers to join the Russian Church:

"We need young people, mothers, sisters. This is a good church. So come here. There are many miracles that are done by the will of God in the Russian Orthodox Church."

#CongoBrazzaville #Noël

https://x.com/sputnik_afrique/status/1876923081098154460

1876923081098154460

Translated text:
#Zambie : first Orthodox Christmas Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Russian House.

☦️ The January 7 Mass in Lusaka was presided over by Father Georgi Ermolin, a member of the clergy of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) within the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

⛪️ The Russian Orthodox Church is establishing itself in Zambia. Since April 2024, services have been held only on major Orthodox holidays, with clergy traveling from Russia for the occasion.

Zambia, a predominantly Christian country, celebrates Christmas on December 25. Zambian students interested in studying in Russia attended the service at the Russian House. They then participated in a question-and-answer session with Father Georgi on Russian religious traditions.
https://x.com/sputnik_afrique/status/1876725200798298592

1876725200798298592

Ravenlocke

13th January 2025, 18:29

https://x.com/peacemaket71/status/1878820079904989614

1878820079904989614

Ravenlocke

13th January 2025, 18:31

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1878803778213953687

1878803778213953687

Bill Ryan

13th January 2025, 19:49

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/135959
Traditional wooden window frames in Shuya, Ivanovo region

DDGeopolitics/135959

Ravenlocke

14th January 2025, 20:41

Text:
🦢 Sincere gratitude: swan 'hugs' female volunteer who saved him.

In the Krasnodar region of Russia, the bird came out to people on its own because of fuel oil pollution, AiF-Yug reports. The swan was washed and treated, and the next day it was ready to fly. Footage of gratitude was published on social networks.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1879257337766027677

1879257337766027677

Ravenlocke

14th January 2025, 20:43

Text:
♟9-year-old chess player from Russia Roman Shogdzhiev breaks world record: he became the youngest chess player to achieve the International Master standards.

At the Radnicki Chess IM tournament in Belgrade, Roman Shogdzhiev scored seven out of nine points, losing only to the tournament winner, Grandmaster Suat Atalik, in the eighth round. He became the youngest player in history to earn an International Master qualification point – at nine years, ten months and seven days. Thus, Roman beat the record of the Argentine Faustino Oro by almost a month.

Shogdzhiev also entered the top three chess players who surpassed the 2300 Elo rating point mark before reaching the age of ten.

Roman who lives in Kalmykia has been playing chess since he was four. At the age of seven years and three months, he became the youngest champion of Russia, winning the competition in the youngest age category - up to nine years.

The title of International Master precedes the title of Grandmaster.
- FRWL

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1879256993543995530

1879256993543995530

Ravenlocke

17th January 2025, 02:19

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1879783996181434421

1879783996181434421

Ravenlocke

17th January 2025, 20:02

Text:
A Warm Invitation from Zakharova

In a heartwarming gesture, Maria Zakharova has extended a special invitation to Chinese tourists, and she did it in Chinese! With a big smile and sincere words, she beckons everyone to Moscow to celebrate the Spring Festival.

Imagine the bustling streets of Moscow adorned with red lanterns and festive decorations, blending the unique charm of Russian architecture with the joyous spirit of the Chinese New Year. There will be traditional Russian performances, and perhaps some surprises waiting for Chinese visitors.

This invitation is more than just an event; it's a chance to experience a unique cultural fusion. It's an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime while celebrating the most important festival in the Chinese calendar in a foreign land full of wonder. So, pack your bags and head to Moscow to have an unforgettable Spring Festival!

https://x.com/zhang_heqing/status/1880176672303174110

1880176672303174110

Ravenlocke

22nd January 2025, 20:02

Good news !

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1882068073576050964

1882068073576050964

Ravenlocke

25th January 2025, 06:49

Text:

Yesterday the meeting of the Moscow State University Board of Trustees, which was chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the eve of the university's 270th anniversary took place

🐎 The city and the oldest national university have a fruitful cooperation, which has become even more productive in recent years.

On the instructions of the President, they are creating the Innovative Scientific and Technological Center of Moscow State University "Vorobyovy Gory" . The following are already ready:

⭕️ the flagship of the INTC is the Lomonosov cluster with the improvement of adjacent territories , during which a comfortable pedestrian connection was created with the Universitet, Lomonosovsky Prospekt and Ramenki metro stations;

⭕️ The main road "highway" of the INTC is the section of Ramensky Boulevard , connecting Michurinsky Prospekt with Vernadsky Prospekt.

For the anniversary of Moscow State University, city services carried out work to improve the comfort of teachers and students . In particular:

⭕️ tidied up the park near the Main Building of Moscow State University , preserving its historical layout;

⭕️ The adjacent streets were improved: Mendeleevskaya, Akademika Khokhlova, Lebedeva and sections of Kolmogorov and Akademika Samarskogo streets.
1/
More photos next post

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1883036691880956379

1883036691880956379

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1883036973176401974

1883036973176401974

Hughe

28th January 2025, 16:41

The small village where our house is located has five houses. It's surrounded by farm land, forest and Volga river.
This winter has been mild. We had only two days that temperature dropped below minus 17 Celsius degrees since November 2024.
Every two or three days I've been removing snow on the house property but I can't complain it.

The cost of living is so cheap, especially organic food and energy.
The house uses a boiler that burns natural gas for heating and hot water.
Last month usage bill of natural gas was 400 rubles. Electricity bill is between 100 rubles to 300 rubles monthly.

Bill Ryan

30th January 2025, 18:37

I think this RT opinion piece probably belongs here. It's partly political, of course, but it actually says far more about Russian culture. The Russian people are very firmly grounded in what the western media might call 'conservative family values'.

This is only the start of the article, but the points made are clear. :flower:

https://rt.com/russia/611855-americas-gender-obsession-russia

America’s gender obsession: Why Russia has been smarter this time

Our country refused to embrace this particular diversity experiment – and thank God for that

Trump has banned 72 genders. Where will he put transgender people? Where is he going to put the trans toilets, the trans athletes, and what will happen to the transitions of children?

There are few occasions when we can genuinely rejoice in being smarter than the Americans. And it is crucial for us to know that we are smarter. For almost a hundred years, Russia and America have been locked in an invisible competition: who is smarter, taller, and prettier.

When Donald Trump signed the bill to return to two genders, I realized: here it is! We’ve been bloody clever! Clever enough not to collapse into the wave of madness that the unstable, the exalted, and the outright crazy have brought upon themselves.

Ravenlocke

30th January 2025, 19:46

Bill Ryan

30th January 2025, 19:57

Text:
🇷🇺 A Russian town for foreigners.

Pereslavl-Zalessky is home to many foreigners from the USA, Switzerland, France, and beyond. Writers, blacksmiths, farmers, chefs, and artists—all kinds of people from around the world have gathered here to find a true home. None of them plans to leave anytime soon! Foreigners in Pereslavl have a tradition of meeting a couple of times a year to get to know each other better.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1884693584089407755

1884693584089407755Wow. That really made me think. :)

It's only 100 km from Moscow, and here are a couple of photos:

https://www.expresstorussia.com/files/pages/020144.jpg

https://russiatrek.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/pereslavl-zalessky-yaroslavl-region-russia-5.jpg

Ravenlocke

1st February 2025, 22:20

https://x.com/solas_na_greine/status/1728545263911096369

1728545263911096369

https://x.com/BosphorusBot/status/1446168625149353988

1446168625149353988

Ravenlocke

3rd February 2025, 01:00

https://x.com/volcaholic1/status/1885848726385701173

1885848726385701173

Ravenlocke

11th February 2025, 23:58

Text:
On this day 64 Years ago, the Congolese, Americans, Belgians Murdered 35 year old revolutionary Patrice Lumumba. President Kagame was a 3 Year old Toddler! Today students of the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia laid flowers at his monument in RUSSIA not Kinshasa

https://x.com/ali_naka/status/1880319315561353244

1880319315561353244

https://x.com/upholdreality/status/1640338743084081152

1640338743084081152

Bill Ryan

23rd February 2025, 22:45

Only in Russia. :heart::muscle:

The text:

In Russia's Sakhalin region, a man riding a snowmobile spotted a horse trapped in the ice and decided to try to save its life.
He chopped through the thick ice by hand, periodically getting out of the water to warm up and change clothes
After 3 hours, he led the horse to safety

https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1893699741004792172

1893699741004792172

Ravenlocke

24th February 2025, 01:01

https://x.com/OlgaBazova/status/1893710200147710334

1893710200147710334

norman

24th February 2025, 02:17

The Reality of Life in Russia [Siberia] in 2025 (emotional return)
Matt and Julia - 3 weeks ago

XMC3Lp0wO60

Bill Ryan

24th February 2025, 12:12

The Reality of Life in Russia [Siberia] in 2025 (emotional return)
Matt and Julia - 3 weeks ago

XMC3Lp0wO60A most wonderful, heartfelt video. “Pain is inevitable, suffering optional” might be a great quote for all of us to remember. :heart:

Bill Ryan

24th February 2025, 16:31

From https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/139856
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. In 2025, Maslenitsa celebrations will begin on February 24 and continue until March 2.

Maslenitsa is a joyful farewell to winter, illuminated by the 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/139856

grapevine

24th February 2025, 16:41

That really is a wonderful quote . . .

Ravenlocke

24th February 2025, 17:30

‼️🇷🇺 OUR FUTURE IS IN THESE HANDS!

Artists of ART BEGMA, with the support of the TG channel OTRYAD KOVPAKA, created a new video art for the Defenders of the Fatherland Day! The new work is dedicated to our soldiers who stood, stand and will stand guard over our Motherland, no matter how hard Western enemies try to break it into pieces. #Russia

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1893665939687649688

1893665939687649688

Ravenlocke

24th February 2025, 17:32

https://x.com/Belka_r/status/1893610515668103603

1893610515668103603

Ravenlocke

25th February 2025, 18:43

Text:
My wife originates from that region, Kamchatka.

Lots of Americans came to visit, clime mountains, do volcanic research, or just enjoy the nature at the time. Irina did a lot of guiding back then. She is now studying to be a licensed nature guide again, who knows we might organise trips for you guys

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1894441017522233477

1894441017522233477

Ravenlocke

26th February 2025, 19:26

Text:
🎂 On February 26, 1908, Anna Shchetinina was born, whom foreign media nicknamed Lady Captain from Vladivostok.

Anna was 16 years old when her father took her to sea. He was a forester, but sometimes earned money by fishing. Maybe it was then that Anya began to dream of the sea.

In 1925, Shchetinina became a student at the navigation department of the Vladivostok Water College.

Besides her, there were two other girls on the course. They weren't paid a stipend, only some guys. Anna was denied payment as a “unpromising student.”

To feed herself, Anna worked as a loader at night, along with the strong guys.

After technical school, she was sent to work in Kamchatka.

🛟 In six years, Anna went from sailor to captain. Not every man could do this.

World fame fell on Shchetinina in 1935, when the steamship Chavicha arrived from Hamburg to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

The Soviet government purchased new ships from Germany, and they had to be transported to the Far East.

Anna Shchetinina stood on the captain's bridge (she, being the first mate, at the last moment replaced the sick captain).

“I learned from the newspapers that I am the world’s first female captain, a brave daughter of my people. For me it was unexpected and unusual. During the 10 years of my work at sea, no one made any fuss,” Shchetinina writes in her book.

There were many funny moments associated with Anna’s captain’s service.

“Once I asked to bring lunch to my cabin, but it never arrived. Several times a sailor looked into the cabin and disappeared. It turns out that he was looking for the captain, but could not find him,” said Shchetinina.
- FRWL

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1894646001463374120

1894646001463374120

Ravenlocke

26th February 2025, 20:59

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1894839949003759699

1894839949003759699

Ravenlocke

26th February 2025, 23:34

https://x.com/RT_India_news/status/1894236394324725823

1894236394324725823

Ravenlocke

28th February 2025, 18:35

Text:
What is your favorite blin/pancake?
🍯 👏
We continue with the Slavic carnival traditions. Some, like Maslenitsa, are very tasty
Holiday time if Maslenitsa, is time when all families bake and eat pancakes.🥰 It is celebrated at a time when winter is losing ground and spring is giving way. In order for spring to come faster, the Slavs baked pancakes - the personification of the sun, organized festivities with songs, dances, fun games, and at the end of the holiday they burned the image of Maslenitsa. It arose at a time when people were pagans and there was no Christianity in Russia yet, but despite this, Maslenitsa is still celebrated but in a beautiful fusion with Orthodox Christianity.

In modern Christianity, Maslenitsa is celebrated before the onset of Lent in the previous week. Easter comes seven weeks after Maslenitsa. In Christianity, such a week is called Cheese Week. According to church canons, this week you need to give up meat and eat only dairy products and fish during lent. This is done so that everyone prepares for Lent. Since then, on Easter, on the church calendar, there is no fixed date, the time of the holiday is different every year. This year is celebrated from 24 February to 2 March.

Even in our time, Maslenitsa is celebrated on a large scale. Pancakes are a symbol of the holiday, which is baked in every family. Usually they bake a lot of pancakes so that they can eat themselves and treat others. This week you need to eat pancakes in large quantities. There is a legend that the speedy arrival of spring depends on the number of pancakes eaten. 🥰 During Maslenitsa, fairs are held on the streets of the city, where pancakes are baked and sold. Pancakes are usually eaten with butter and with various fillings, except meat. People dress up in fancy costumes and take part in street fun:

Snow targets - you need to hit a target with snowballs, which is installed on a fence or supports.
A pillar: poured with water and frozen. At the very top there is a prize hanging. You need to climb to the very top and get a prize.
Snow maze. On the eve of Maslenitsa, walls are built from snow in a circle or square in the form of a maze. Whoever finds the way out wins.
Tug of war - a thick, long rope is taken and several people stand at both ends of the rope. Each side pulls the rope towards itself. Whoever wins wins.
Snow fortress. On the eve of Maslenitsa, a fortress is built from snow. Two teams participate. One attacks, the other defends.
Throwing felt boots. The essence of the game is to throw the boots as far as possible.
Blind Man's Bluff - one of the participants is blindfolded. The playing area is limited to a circle that you cannot cross. A blindfolded participant tries to catch the other players in a circle. The others should run and make noises or clap their hands.
Walking on stilts - you have to walk a certain distance by stepping into the drawn circles.
Fighting - wall to wall and fistfights. Men participate in battles. If someone falls during a fight, you cannot defeat them according to the rules of the game. Hits to the head and vital areas are prohibited.
Cockfighting - two people participate, each standing on one leg. The goal is to knock down the opponent.

Puppet shows featuring Petrushka are held on the streets, making people laugh. All residents are fashionably dressed. Women wear Russian scarves. Newlyweds are encouraged to show their love in every possible way. Many repeat the test that is customary for Epiphany - swimming in an ice hole. Throughout the week of Maslenitsa, people go down ice slides, on horse-drawn sleighs, sing songs, dance in circles and call for spring to come quickly:

"Spring is red, come soon. Bring us warmth. Melt the snowball. Let the sun shine brighter, cheer us up, and let winter pass."~
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Ravenlocke

28th February 2025, 20:10

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Ravenlocke

3rd March 2025, 20:01

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https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250302/deepwater-history-russian-archeologist-reveals-how-scientists-find-study--preserve-shipwrecks-1070890811.html

Deepwater History: Russian Archeologist Reveals How Scientists Find, Study & Preserve Shipwrecks

How much do archeologists know about what Russia's waters hide? How do they search for shipwrecks? Why is it better not to raise findings from the bottom without particular need? Sergey Olkhovsky, head of the Underwater Heritage Center of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke to Sputnik about the work of underwater archeologists.

Sputnik: Underwater archeology is a relatively young field. Apparently, it began to develop actively with the creation of the aqualung in the first half of the 20th century?

― Underwater archeology has become a separate field of research, and it is true that it has not been that long ago. Largely because until the 1960s, archeologists, usually, could not even see the objects of their research with their own eyes and were forced to rely on the stories and drawings of professional divers. This situation was changed by the invention of scuba gear and the popularization of scuba diving: in a couple of decades, scuba divers examined many shallow waters, found the remains of hundreds of shipwrecks and seriously damaged many of them in search of souvenirs. It became obvious that underwater cultural heritage, firstly, exists, and secondly, needs urgent study and protection while there is still something left on the bottom. Many coastal states began to develop their legislation, create special scientific centers and services for the protection of marine heritage, and specialized museums.

The result of these efforts was the UNESCO Paris Convention of 2001, containing the main definitions and approaches to the protection and use of underwater cultural heritage.

Sputnik: How well does Russia know what historical treasures are underwater? Or are there still plenty of blank spots?

― Russia is a party to several international agreements on the protection of cultural heritage and is obliged to identify, study and preserve it. These requirements are more or less met with regard to archeological sites on land, but the situation with underwater sites is much more complicated.

Firstly, Russian legislation still does not allow underwater archeological sites to be registered with the federal government and thus provide them with at least legal status.

Secondly, unlike many countries, Russia does not have an authorized government agency capable of studying and managing underwater cultural heritage. And even when such an agency is finally created, it will clearly need many decades to survey the colossal area of Russian waters.

Thirdly, specialists are needed to develop the underwater cultural heritage sector, and Russian universities do not teach in this field.

To summarize, the blank spots on the non-existent map of Russia's underwater cultural heritage are almost all water areas: there is no system for recording and protecting underwater heritage; archeologists have fragmentary information about hundreds of underwater objects of unclear historical and cultural significance, but no resources for their systematic study. And in this murky water, various public figures, searchers, and local historians compete for grants, organizing pseudo-scientific expeditions with noisy PR support but often dubious results.

Sputnik: So, are amateur divers a problem for science?

― Divers vary. Some work as volunteers in academic expeditions regularly and eventually become skilled specialists, while others find working "scientifically" too boring and join the ranks of, let's say, treasure hunters more motivated by searching for souvenirs or items to sell.

Sputnik: How do scientists search for shipwrecks? Is it about working with archives and old documents?
― It depends on the area of water and the period we're interested in. If, for instance, it's the Gulf of Finland and ships from the 18th–19th centuries, then we have at our disposal the archives of St. Petersburg, which contain a lot of data on what sank, where, and when.

If we need information on 17th-century Black Sea shipwrecks, it’s worth looking into Turkish archives. However, information on earlier shipwrecks in Russian waters is unlikely to be found in the archives. In any case, even if we find a description of the shipwreck location, it doesn't necessarily mean the job is done. Eyewitnesses to the event usually noted the nearest landmarks—capes, bays—and roughly estimated the distance from the ship to the shore.

In practice, this means that the search area can cover many square kilometers, and it's not even certain that any remnants of the ship have survived there. So, archival materials can point to approximate shipwreck areas, but this data is often fragmentary and mainly relates to the 18th–19th centuries. Yet, navigation in Russian waters started much earlier.

Sputnik: Are there other methods for finding sunken objects besides working with archives?

― Certainly. The simplest method of examination is a visual inspection of the seabed by a diver. To cover the entire area from different angles, even in relatively clear water, the diver would need to swim for a long time at a low altitude over the bottom along a specific path.

However, even if a whole team of divers undertakes this, it doesn't guarantee they'll find all heritage objects in the designated area. At best, they'll spot only items that rise above the seabed's surface. Anything partially or completely covered by sediment is very difficult or impossible to detect, which is why we don't consider visual inspection a sufficiently informative examination method.

To confirm the presence or absence of heritage objects in a given area, it needs to be surveyed with modern equipment and correct methodology. This involves a comprehensive approach: surveying with single-beam or multibeam sonar to create a bathymetric map, surveying with a side-scan sonar to produce a shadow graph mosaic of the seabed’s surface, surveying with a towed magnetometer to locate magnetic field anomalies, and surveying with an acoustic profiler to identify objects within the sediment layers. Materials from these surveys and the results of visual verification of suspicious objects will convincingly demonstrate the presence or absence of archeological heritage at the designated seabed area.

Sputnik: The aquatic environment is quite harsh on materials, especially wood, which was used to build ships in the past. How well-preserved are the samples that can be found today?

― In freshwater, wood can be preserved for a long time, especially if it's buried under sand or silt. It’s not surprising that most ancient ships displayed in European museums were recovered from rivers and lakes rather than seas. The preservation level of freshwater finds often allows for a full reconstruction of the original shape of the vessel. The preservation of wooden ships that sank in the sea depends on the water’s salinity and the local fauna.

For instance, the Mediterranean Sea is inhabited by Teredo navalis (commonly called the naval shipworm) mollusks, which quickly riddle any wood like a sieve. As a result, despite the vast number of shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, the majority of ship hulls are either completely destroyed or so damaged by wood borers that only eroded remains of the heaviest parts are left — too few to convincingly reconstruct the ship’s contours.

In the less saline waters of the Baltic, Black, and Azov Seas, wood borers are absent, so wooden ships may be relatively well-preserved, especially at greater depths. Finding well-preserved ships is potentially possible even in shallow waters in rare cases where the wreck was not broken by storm waves but covered by marine sediments.

Sputnik: In an optimistic scenario where the ship is in a location favorable for preservation, from which century might the objects be discovered?

― That depends on the history of navigation in a particular body of water. The oldest ships that could potentially have sunk in the Russian waters of the Black and Azov Seas date back to the 7th century BC. In the Baltic Sea, it's more likely to be Viking-era ships.

Sputnik: So, objects from Ancient Greece haven't completely disintegrated yet?

― Ships washed ashore by storms aren't something we can find anymore — they were repaired or dismantled back then. As for ships wrecked on reefs and sunk in shallow waters, over time, at best only the cargo and the bottom part of the hull remain. The most promising situation for us is when a ship sinks at a great depth, where it can't be damaged by storms, and it's outside of trawling fishing zones.

The main cause of destruction for ships lying at great depths is precisely fishing trawls, which literally scour the seabed, snagging on ship hulls and sometimes breaking them apart. So, at depths greater than 30 meters and outside commercial fishing zones, potentially well-preserved ancient Greek and later ships could be found.

Sputnik: What research is prioritized by the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences?

― Our goals extend beyond studying individual underwater objects; they are much broader. For example, we are developing the regulatory and methodological framework for underwater research in Russia and advising relevant agencies on modifying legislation. The modern requirements for the composition, informativeness, and quality of work, which we formulated and proposed to the professional community several years ago, initially drew some criticism from colleagues, but were soon recognized as an industry standard. We continuously develop this standard, taking into account new experiences and the possibilities of multidisciplinary methods. Regarding our regular expeditions, we are focused on two sites. The first is in Taman Bay—the submerged port of Phanagoria, the largest polis of the Asian Bosporus, which facilitated trade between the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, the Don, and the Kuban.

The uniqueness of the Phanagoria port lies in the fact that there are no quarries nearby, so in the 5th–4th centuries BC, tens of thousands of tons of various stone materials had to be delivered by ship from the Athenian Gulf and the coasts of Asia Minor for its construction. Our second site is in the heart of Veliky Novgorod—an ancient bridge over the Volkhov River, which connected the city's main districts and had military, trade, and even political significance.

It is highly likely that it was one of the first bridges in Ancient Rus and was constructed using the advanced European techniques of the time. In addition to regular expeditions to Phanagoria and the Volkhov, we participate in the state historical and cultural assessments of water areas before the construction of pipelines, piers, bridge supports, breakwaters, and so on. During underwater surveys, we examine anthropogenic objects and determine their cultural and historical value.

Sputnik: So it's the same principle as building on land: before constructing a building, an archeological assessment is mandatory?

― Exactly. During surveys, we sometimes find archeological objects or items, and the client faces a choice: either change the construction site's boundaries or relocate, for example, an ancient anchor outside the site or to a museum, or plan rescue underwater excavations before construction.

Sputnik: The Crimean Bridge comes to mind. Were there any interesting finds there?

― Yes, this project was one of the most extensive and prolonged. At the bottom of the Kerch Bay, right along the bridge's route, there is a massive accumulation of archeological artifacts, mostly various ceramic vessels.

These vessels were the cargo and personal belongings of ship crews that enabled trade between the cities of the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, and the European Bosporus for 1,500 years. Damaged cargo was thrown overboard during unloading, and thus tens of thousands of amphorae from wine and oil, as well as ceremonial and everyday dishes, gradually accumulated on the bottom of the Kerch Bay. The most famous find from under the bridge is a unique life-size terracotta male head, made in Central Italy in the 5th century BC. In addition to it, hundreds of valuable finds have joined the Kerch Museum's collection, vividly illustrating the Bosporus' trade links with distant regions.

Importantly, we did not excavate the entire accumulation but only small sections of the seabed where the bridge supports were later built. From these sections alone, in three years of underwater excavations, we recovered nearly 40,000 items. What other unique objects lie beneath the bridge remains a matter of speculation.

Sputnik: Were there any interesting finds in 2024?

― This year in Phanagoria, we studied the structure of the coastal part of the main city pier and recovered a large series of finds to clarify the period of its construction. However, we will need to wait for results—processing such a number of items will take several more months of work by specialists.

In Veliky Novgorod, we began excavating a new section of the city bridge this spring. Given that work in the Volkhov River can only be done during the short spring period when the water is clear, in the first year of a new excavation we typically remove the top meter to a meter and a half of sediment, and in the second or third year, we reach the earlier layers deposited during the bridge's use.

So this year, we were essentially preparing the excavation, and interesting finds from it can be expected in 2025–2026. As for recent discoveries from historical and cultural assessments, for example, in Novorossiysk Bay, a large four-fluked galley anchor from approximately the 18th century was found, and in the Kerch Strait, a military aircraft from the Second World War was discovered.

Sputnik: How effective is it to work in the northern seas? The weather conditions there are uncomfortable...

― The specifics of working in the north involve not only challenging weather but also a short navigation period. As a result, surveys often stretch over two years: in the first year, remote seabed surveys and data processing are conducted, and the identification of potential objects often has to be postponed to the following year due to approaching storm seasons or ice conditions.

Low temperatures don’t hinder the identification of objects since remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) are typically used for inspections. This increases the safety of operations and significantly speeds them up. For example, if the target objects are at depths of 20–30 meters, a diver can only safely inspect a few of them in one day. However, using a robot can allow for the inspection of dozens of targets in a day.

Sputnik: Continuing the topic of modern technology: today, digital technologies are being applied across various fields. Do you already see how artificial intelligence could be used in your work?

― Based on colleagues' experiences, artificial intelligence has not yet advanced to the level capable of addressing our tasks. There are programs that create virtual models of objects from video footage materials. There are also programs that convert shadowgraph images of the seabed into geometrically accurate models of the surface. However, no AI is currently able to distinguish archeological objects from rocks and industrial debris, and experienced professionals are still necessary for that.

Sputnik: How acutely do you feel the lack of young specialists?

― Given the limited number of regular projects and historical and cultural assessments, we usually have enough professionals. When possible, we offer internships to students participating in our expeditions.

However, for more large-scale research, many specialists will be needed, and they will have to be thoroughly trained and prepared. For this, it will be necessary to develop and approve a university curriculum, refine legislation, and update professional standards.

Sputnik: How long does it take to prepare a graduate, for example, from a history faculty, for your work?

— A master's or bachelor's degree holder in history would need one academic year for additional theoretical training and scuba diving education. After that, the graduate would need to undergo internships in several expeditions, gain experience, and choose a specialization.

Sputnik: Do underwater archeologists also work with objects raised from the depths, or do you transfer them to colleagues in laboratories?

— Very few archeologists are professionally trained to restore underwater finds, as it requires special training and ideally, a higher education in chemistry. Even certified restorers sometimes refuse to work with underwater finds, especially wooden ones, because they require the use of rare or experimental methods that do not guarantee success. Therefore, before raising anything from the seabed, it's essential to find a restorer willing to work with these finds.

The retrieved items must be placed in airtight containers, filled with distilled water, kept in the dark, and quickly delivered to a laboratory. While working in Phanagoria and Veliky Novgorod, we can raise many fragile items from the sea floor thanks to experienced restorers being literally within arm's reach.

We are mentally prepared for the fact that the restoration of underwater finds is a long process. For example, determining an effective conservation method for an iron anchor that has been lying in the sea for over a thousand years may require several years of experimentation. A large wooden artifact needs to be soaked in various solutions for one to two years to retain its shape after drying. Even an amphora that has been underwater for a long time absorbs so much salt that it might crack after drying.

So, thanks to restorers, there is a chance for not only divers but also museum visitors to see underwater finds in good condition.

Sputnik: How do you study objects without raising them? Does most of the work take place underwater?

— International approaches to the preservation of underwater cultural heritage require that objects not be raised to the surface without particular necessity, and the resources of restoration laboratories are not limitless. Therefore, as part of planned studies, we do not bring everything to the surface, only items that can provide new information about the studied object and those in good condition suitable for museum exhibition.

For example, a ship heading to St. Petersburg carrying tea sets from a well-known German manufactory once sank in the Gulf of Finland. Most of the cargo was undamaged in the shipwreck, and there are hundreds of similar vessels in the hold. Is there any point in bringing a few of them to the surface? Yes, because they can be cleaned, the marks can be identified, and the date and place of manufacture can be determined, which helps roughly establish the period of the shipwreck.

Additionally, with this information, it is much easier to search archives for mentions of this shipwreck, find the name of the ship, and identify the owner. However, raising all the tea sets to the surface is probably unnecessary, as it wouldn't provide new information, would overload restorers with work, and, in the end, a museum is unlikely to want to display hundreds of identical items.

During rescue operations, our approach is different: if the preservation of archeological items is threatened, we will raise and study all archeological materials from the seabed, even if it involves thousands of items, regardless of their condition.

Sputnik: What discovery are you most proud of over the years?

— Our best discovery is the ship of King Mithridates VI Eupator, which sank in the port of Phanagoria in the 1st century BC.

Firstly, it is the oldest ship found in Russian waters so far. Secondly, very few warships from the Hellenistic period have been found worldwide. Thirdly, we managed to reconstruct the appearance of this ship, even though almost nothing was known about the fleet of the Bosporan Kingdom.

We recognized the value of this find in time and studied it very carefully, even though it took more than ten years.

Sputnik: But such patience is what sets you apart from amateurs, who would have dismantled the ship for souvenirs by now…

— Unlike amateurs, we control our urge to grab everything. If we had hastily disassembled the ship and brought its parts out of the sea, valuable information would have been lost, and it would probably have been impossible to reassemble the hull. We left the ship where it was found and systematically studied it using all possible methods.

This site was used for the first underwater photogrammetric recording in Russia and the first mass 3D scanning of numerous underwater finds. Experts from the Kurchatov Institute studied the preserved coverings of the ship's hull and discovered that the interior was waterproofed with composite materials and the exterior was coated with a sulfurous red mixture to prevent barnacle growth.

Analysis of the wood showed that many types of wood were used in the ship's construction, including species found only in the Mediterranean. Detailed analysis of the construction and the creation of a dimensional model, conducted by leading ancient shipbuilding specialists from the University of Marseille, helped reconstruct the hull contours and identify it as a fast 16-meter single-masted sail-and-rowing ship with a single row of oars (unireme), suitable for long-distance voyages in the Mediterranean and for navigating the shallow waters of the Cimmerian Bosporus. The Phanagorian ship truly justified the efforts and time invested in its study.

Sputnik: What are your plans for the next year?

— We plan to conduct further expeditions in Phanagoria and Veliky Novgorod, as well as survey some areas as part of historical and cultural assessments. We have a feeling that we might uncover something interesting.

Ravenlocke

3rd March 2025, 20:13

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Ravenlocke

10th March 2025, 01:07

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Ravenlocke

10th March 2025, 01:08

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Ravenlocke

12th April 2025, 18:03

Text:
‼️🇷🇺 A record number of world leaders will be travelling to #Moscow to take part in the 9th of May Victory Parade:

🇸🇰 Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico

🇷🇸 President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic

🇧🇷 President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

🇰🇿 President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

🇵🇸 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

🇨🇳President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping

🇮🇳 Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi

🇧🇾 President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

🇦🇲 Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan

🇹🇯 President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon

🇨🇺 President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel

🇷🇸 President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik

🇻🇳 General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam

🇧🇫 President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traore

🇰🇬 President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov

🇺🇿 President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev

🇻🇪 President of Venezuela Nicolad Maduro

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Ravenlocke

12th April 2025, 18:07

Text:
‼️🇷🇺👨‍🚀🗓 Cosmonautics Day is celebrated all over Russia today. It was on this date, April 12, 1961, that Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in world history to fly into outer space.

His orbital flight on the Vostok-1 spacecraft lasted 108 minutes, and the cosmonaut himself successfully returned to Earth for the first time and landed on the territory of the Saratov region.

👨‍🚀In the Soviet Union, April 12 was declared "Cosmonautics Day," and since 2011, this day has been celebrated worldwide as "International Day of Human Space Flight." #Russia

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Ravenlocke

12th April 2025, 18:19

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Jaak

12th April 2025, 18:30

Did Gagarin really go to space or was it a hoax that is still maintained today ?

A Soviet propaganda hoax has been revealed in the former communist countries (for example Hungary, Estonia and Poland). It was a myth that everyone had really believed in, that the Soviet Air Force officer Yuri Gagarin had made a space-flight.
Many Western governments were aware of this Soviet bluff but did not want to reveal the truth. It was not intended for the people to know that the Soviet
Union was a backward state.
One interesting books about this is "Gagarin: A Cosmic Lie"
("Gagarin - kozmikus hazugsag", Budapest, 1990) by the Hungarian journalist Istvan Nemere. Not one word about the contradictions surrounding Gagarin's "journey into space" have been published in Sweden, where the Soviet Union is still regarded with a great deal of respect. Such a revelation would be far too embarrassing.
Until 1961, the United States had managed to send up 42 satellites, the Soviet Union only 12. The United States also informed the world that Alan Shepard would make a space journey in the spacecraft Freedom 7 on 5 May 1961.
The Soviet Union was forced to do something to save face. For this reason a Soviet cosmonaut, Vladimir Ilyushin, was sent up into space on 7 April 1961. The Americans intercepted several radio communications between him and the space centre in the Soviet Union. Ilyushin's landing failed and he was seriously injured. He could not be shown to the public. It was claimed that he had been injured in a car accident. He was sent to China to receive better medical treatment.
The Russian TV documentary "Cosmonaut Cover-Up" (2001) also claims that on 7 April 1961, Vladimir Ilyushin left for space, got into trouble during the first orbit, and crash-landed in China during the third orbit. Ilyushin was badly injured. He was returned to the Soviet Union a year later. Ilyushin was killed in an engineered car accident in 1961.
The Soviet Union did not have a spare capsule at that time and in Moscow it was decided to orchestrate a huge bluff, a cosmic lie.
Radio Moscow claimed that a Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, had been sent up into space on the morning of 12 April 1961 with the space-rocket Vostok. According to the official announcement, he had already landed and was in fine health. The whole world believed this except for the Western intelligence services. They had not managed to register any radio communication between Gagarin and the space
centre.
This hoax was sloppily orchestrated. Polish newspapers announced already on the morning of 12 April that a Soviet cosmonaut had been in space. Newspapers in other countries did not report Gagarin's flight until 13 April.
In a book written for the West, Soviet propagandists claimed that simple peasants recognized Yuri Gagarin soon after he landed in a field and enthusiastically shouted: "Gagarin, Gagarin!" But nothing about his "space journey" had been reported at that time, no pictures of him had been published and his name had not been mentioned.
The message from radio and TV was sent out 35 minutes after the alleged journey. Were the peasants psychic?
The newspaper Sovetskaya Rossiya claimed that Gagarin was wearing a blue flightsuit when he landed. In his memoirs, Gagarin himself claimed he was dressed in an orange flightsuit.
At his press conference, Gagarin read from notes when he "related" his journey. During the press conference, he made several crucial mistakes. Gagarin stated that weightlessness was no problem. Every-thing seemed just normal. We now know that this is not the case.
The cosmonaut German Titov, for example, had difficulties with his balance and had heart problems. American astronauts experienced similar symptoms.
Gagarin then made his most serious mistake, despite the fact that he was constantly assisted by experts, who often spoke about discoveries in space. He said: "Then I saw South America."
This is impossible. At that time it was night in South America, which meant that it could not be seen at all. According to the official reports, Gagarin began his "space journey" at 9:07 Moscow time. He was supposed to have flown over South America at 9:22 Moscow time. In Chile, the time would have been 2:22, in Brazil 3:22. He could never have reached South America in 15 minutes. For other cosmo-
nauts it took 45 minutes.
Foreign journalists wondered: "When will the photographs that Gagarin took in space be published?" Gagarin was silent, thought for a moment and answered: "I didn't have a camera with me!"
Even unmanned Soviet space probes had photographic equipment onboard. It would have been an important propaganda triumph to publish Gagarin's pictures from space. The Soviet Union would never have missed an opportunity like that. Shepard's pictures were cabled out immediately. Parts of his flight were also shown on TV.
At the press conference, it was never explained whether Gagarin landed in his capsule or was ejected. If he had used the catapult seat, he would have become several centimetres shorter. This could easily
have been ascertained. All pilots who have catapulted have become somewhat shorter as a result of spinal deformation.
When Gagarin wanted to travel in space for real in 1968, he was disposed of, according to Istvin Nemere. His plane exploded on 27 March the same year. The official report concerning this event contained many contradictions. The report was classified during the communist period. It claimed that there was not much left of
Gagarin's body after the crash. In that case, how did his flightsuit come to land in the top of a tree?
There are far too many questions surrounding Gagarin's spaceflight in April 1961.
A British team of researchers who questions the propaganda surrounding manned journeys to the moon also confirms this information. When will the truth be admitted officially?
On 12 April 2001, the Russian senior engineer Mikhail Rudenko, at the Experimental Design Office 456, in Khimki in the Moscow region, admitted in Pravda that three cosmonauts had died in space before Gagarin was sent up, namely Alexei Ledovskikh (1957), Serenti Zhaborin (February 1958), and Andrei Mitkov (flight attempt January 1959).
The Russian journalist and cosmonaut candidate (June 1965) Yaroslav Golovanov (1932-2003) wrote in his book "Cosmonaut One" that on 10 November 1960, another cosmonaut, Byelokonyev, also died onboard a space-ship in orbit. Several sources reveal that 7-11 cosmonauts have died in orbit before Gagarin.
The CIA knew about the Gagarin bluff but said nothing. Instead
they have come up with more and more ridiculous lies themselves...

Copy pasted it from book ¨Archidects of deception¨

Paul D.

12th April 2025, 19:46

Some would say that we have two masonic deceivers here .

5487954880

Bill Ryan

12th April 2025, 19:55

Did Gagarin really go to space or was it a hoax that is still maintained today ?
I've been interested in this for years. We have a whole thread about this already. :)

Let's celebrate the first human in space by pretending he did not exist (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?114608-Let-s-celebrate-the-first-human-in-space-by-pretending-he-did-not-exist)

That 'first human in space' was really Vladimir Ilyushin. However, he was seriously injured in a bad landing, including being facially disfigured. So though he survived, the authorities canceled all the planned celebrations and just did it a second time shortly after with a different young hero.

Many in Russia still believe the official story. Mashika (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?114608-Let-s-celebrate-the-first-human-in-space-by-pretending-he-did-not-exist&p=1421920&viewfull=1#post1421920) (a young Russian girl who is fiercely bright) posted here (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?114608-Let-s-celebrate-the-first-human-in-space-by-pretending-he-did-not-exist&p=1421920&viewfull=1#post1421920) back in 2021: (and you gotta laugh! :ROFL: :heart:)

I remember being on 6th grade and casually mentioning that i did not think he was the "first one", because how did they know it would even work and they needed to do a few tests before, no chance they would get to fail in front of the entire world. I almost got thrown out the window lol.

Ravenlocke

14th April 2025, 06:14

Text:
‼️🇷🇺⛸️❣️This is truly “More than a show”: Peskov took to the ice to dance with his wife

During Tatyana Navka's anniversary show, the president's press secretary gracefully walked out onto the ice with a bouquet of red roses to dance with his wife, an Olympic champion, to the song "I Like Him".

" I don't know how they spin, my head is spinning. I love you, Navka!.. Fly further, be talented, be happy, be healthy. Give your talent to people, give it to me. And I will always be quietly nearby ," Dmitry #Peskov said to his beloved wife. #Russian

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1911481465264837082

1911481465264837082

Ravenlocke

5th May 2025, 19:16

Text:
"This is the People's war, our Sacred War."

China, India and Africa join together to perform the most powerful patriotic WW2 song - written by Alexander Alexandrov, who also composed the Soviet anthem.

The beauty of the voices against the sternness of the words.

Even if you are not Russian...to tears.

https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1919362651643138404

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:09

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920148703655952557

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:10

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920149298777293078

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:13

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1920170670367125794

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:21

Text:
🇷🇺 More than 15,000 residents of Yakutsk took part in the “Candle of Memory” event, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Regional head Aisen Nikolaev reported the turnout, emphasizing the enduring respect and remembrance shown by Yakutia’s citizens for the sacrifices made in the fight against fascism.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1920121252246925367

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920149565891604780

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:24

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920040241429110918

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920027196837536228

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920027124422922412

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:29

Text:
🌍👨🏻‍🎓🇷🇺 Russia Strengthens Geoscience Ties with the Global South through Soft Power

The inaugural World Geology Championship in St. Petersburg, organized by Russia’s Karpinsky Institute, has brought together young geoscientists from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Focused on key disciplines such as mineralogy, tectonics, and cartography, the event serves as a platform for professional exchange and international scientific collaboration.

As major powers compete for access to rare earth elements in regions like Ukraine and the DRC, Russia is quietly investing in long-term influence by training and supporting geologists from partner nations. Through education, joint research, and scientific dialogue, Moscow promotes a model of cooperation rooted in knowledge-sharing rather than direct resource extraction.

This soft-power strategy helps Russia strengthen its ties with the Global South—building local capacity and positioning itself as a leader in sustainable resource development.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1920027955209580609

1920027955209580609

Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:31

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1919998864859255039

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:36

Text:
🇷🇺 Red Star Cinema: films about the Great Patriotic War

Only Old Men Are Going to Battle, 1973

One of the most beloved Soviet war films, Only Old Men Are Going to Battle combines heartfelt drama with moments of levity and music — something rare in war cinema. The film follows a Soviet fighter squadron on the Eastern Front, where a group of young pilots — many of them barely out of their teens — must learn the brutal realities of war under the guidance of their seasoned commander, "Maestro".

The title refers to a tradition in the squadron: only the veteran pilots — the "old men" — are allowed to fly the most dangerous missions, protecting the younger ones for as long as possible. But as the war drags on, even the rookies must face the sky.

The film is notable for its rich use of wartime songs and a strong sense of camaraderie among the pilots. Despite its setting, Only Old Men Are Going to Battle is not just about war — it's about the spirit of those who lived through it, and the culture they carried with them, even to the front lines.

Text:
🇷🇺 Red Star Cinema: Films About the Great Patriotic War

"The Ascent", 1977

Set in the brutal winter of Nazi-occupied Belarus, The Ascent follows two Soviet partisans on a desperate mission for food who are ultimately captured by the Germans. What begins as a war survival story unfolds into a powerful moral and spiritual confrontation.

Larisa Shepitko’s final masterpiece is less about war than about the human soul. Shot in black and white, with hauntingly stark landscapes and raw close-ups, The Ascent blends physical suffering with metaphysical themes. The story draws clear parallels to religious martyrdom, echoing the Gospels in both imagery and tone.

The production itself was grueling. Filmed in freezing conditions with real snow and bitter cold, the actors endured true hardship to bring authenticity to the screen. Shepitko was known for her intensity and demanded total emotional commitment — something evident in every frame. Her sudden death in a car accident two years later only cemented the film’s reputation as a transcendent final statement.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1920005192839528710

1920005192839528710

Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 18:54

Translated text:
Parade rehearsal! Our military beauties!!!

https://x.com/dobrina2024/status/1920128891093475598

1920128891093475598

Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 19:00

Text:
"They can show us any film. They can tell us whatever they want. We know very well where freedom came from": Slovakian Prime Minister lays wreaths at Soviet soldiers' graves

Robert Fico visited the military cemetery in Michalovce, where Red Army soldiers are buried, and laid wreaths in honor of the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism. He thanked the Russian ambassador for helping to restore the memorial and said that Soviet soldiers played a decisive role in the liberation of Czechoslovakia.

"I am very happy to be among normal people. We often have the opportunity to meet people who know exactly what happened between 1941 and 1945," Fico said.

The Prime Minister sharply criticized attempts to rewrite history, accusing the West of historical revisionism. He said that today you can either be on the side of the victors in World War II or on the side of fascism.

"Ruptly"

https://x.com/vick55top/status/1919815175907246450

1919815175907246450

Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 19:03

Text:
The list of Heads of State attending the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9th 2025:

🇧🇾 President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko
🇨🇳 Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping
🇷🇸 President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić
🇦🇲 Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan
🇰🇿 President of Kazakhstan, Kasym-Jomart Tokaev
🇦🇿 President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev
🇸🇰 Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico
🇵🇸 President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas
🇧🇷 President of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva
🇰🇬 President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov
🇹🇯 President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahman
🇻🇳 General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, That Lam
🇻🇪 President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro
🇲🇲 President of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing
🇲🇳 President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
🇨🇺 President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel
🇷🇸 Head of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik
🇧🇫 President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore
🇺🇿 President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev
🇷🇺 President of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba
🇨🇩 President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso
🇹🇲 President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov
🇪🇹 President of Ethiopia, Taye Atske-Selassie
🇷🇺 President of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev
🇱🇦 President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith
🇪🇬 President of Egypt, Abdul-Fattah Al-Sisi
🇿🇼 President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa
🇬🇳 President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaru Sisoku Embalo
🇬🇶 President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

https://x.com/OlgaBazova/status/1919777635519103453

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 19:04

May 6

https://x.com/sashameetsrus/status/1919685662980153670

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 19:06

Text:
I have barely been in Moscow a few days and I’m overwhelmed by the spirit of people in the streets.

Some friends I only knew via telegram and now after months of discussing the fight to restore sanity among nations, to end the NATO-puppet Ukrainian death cult, we met.

Americans need to come to Russia—-

Americans need to remember that Empress Catherine defended the American Revolution in 1780.

We met at this restaurant KontrRazvedka “Counterintelligence”

The card reads:

For bravery, durability and courage, manifested in the fight against evil forces, for invaluable contribution to the development of international relations and to commemoration of the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazism.

Awarded the sign of the Kremlin star

https://x.com/1860rm/status/1919953796974719421

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 19:08

https://x.com/1860rm/status/1919959857756553381

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https://x.com/1860rm/status/1919959852912111984

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 19:17

(Note: video is RT so may not display )

Translated text:
Our videos in Shanghai featuring photographs of Chinese veterans who fought against the Japanese during World War II.

The videos are being shown on the large screen of the China Media Corporation cinema.

The footage includes portraits of heroes and the words: 'History will not forget their feat. We celebrate 80 years of victory over world fascism.'

https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1920070450111004912

1920070450111004912

Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 19:23

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1920026942411042936

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 20:51

https://x.com/jaccocharite/status/1920210282602721383

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Ravenlocke

7th May 2025, 21:25

https://x.com/upholdreality/status/1654227967059345409

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Ravenlocke

8th May 2025, 23:53

https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1920600815011586307

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https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1920579639522583015

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 00:03

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920576333471416448

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920552183134642272

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 00:07

Text:
🇷🇺🇱🇻Between glory and oblivion: the history of the 130th Latvian Corps

In the summer of 1944, on the basis of two national divisions, the Soviet command formed the 130th Latvian Rifle Corps – a military unit that liberated Latvia from German occupation.

It was the units of the 130th Corps, which were part of the 22nd Army of the 2nd Baltic Front, that had the honour of being the first to enter Latvian territory in July 1944.

The lion's share of the success of the operation to liberate Latvia belonged to the 130th Rifle Corps.

"The Latvian people joyfully greeted their liberators"
– recalls the Chief of Staff of the 2nd Baltic Front, Colonel General Leonid Sandalov, in his memoirs.

However, today these veterans have begun to be forgotten in their homeland and simply ignored, being considered "occupiers" and deprived of all honors and status.

"Many live out their lives in abject poverty. Our fellow soldiers living in Germany, America, Israel receive support from their countries. Even Lithuania at least values Soviet veterans and legionnaires equally,"
– said the former head of the 130th Latvian Rifle Corps veterans’ society, Alberts Paže.

The modern generation of Latvians probably no longer remembers the exploits of the soldiers of the 130th Latvian Rifle Corps. But as long as they continue to be talked about, the memory of these heroes continues to remain.

BALTNEWS

https://x.com/dana916/status/1920597255486153017

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 00:26

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1920376005203513574

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 00:54

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1920629905114460169

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 00:55

https://x.com/MatreshkaRF/status/1920629121341616519

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 00:58

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1920559754444718197

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Bill Ryan

9th May 2025, 11:54

Copying this post by Helvetic on his thread: (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?1383-The-Continuing-Search-For-The-Truth&p=1667505&viewfull=1#post1667505):thumbsup:

~~~

Full Victory Parade 2025 | May 9, 2025

nK11c3awvkI

Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 17:20

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1920761391364841704

1920761391364841704

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1920865193627680967

1920865193627680967

Text:

‼️🇷🇺🫡 Festive fireworks on Victory Day continue to thunder across Russia.

▪️The holiday has already ended in Khabarovsk, Ussuriysk, Vladivostok and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
▪️The celebrations are accompanied by festive fireworks.
▪️Salutes with the involvement of military units, according to the order of the Minister of Defense A. Belousov, are carried out at 22:00 local time in the hero cities: Moscow, Volgograd, Murmansk, Novorossiysk, St. Petersburg, Smolensk, Tula, as well as in the cities where the headquarters of military districts, fleets, combined arms armies and the Caspian Flotilla are deployed.
- RVvoenkor

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1920889759917920716

1920889759917920716

Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 22:48

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920844994849411565

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 22:51

Text:
‼️🇷🇺🎖 Victory Day is celebrated at the northernmost latitude of #Russia.

Residents of the village of Yuryung-Khaya, despite the strong wind and snowstorm, went out into the streets with posters and balloons and honored the memory of the fallen servicemen with a minute of silence.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920857053121090020

1920857053121090020

Text:

‼️🇷🇺🦌 White devils — that's what they called reindeer in the war. They were capable of delivering ammunition to any wilderness and off-road conditions, and the reindeer herders themselves were often excellent marksmen — this was what the tundra trade taught them.

On the day of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Yamal, in the small village of Yar-Sale, reindeer teams took part in the Victory Parade — as a symbol of the reindeer transport battalions of the war. #Russian

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920857250312180017

1920857250312180017

Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 22:56

Text:

‼️🇷🇺 Fascinating footage from the DPR - there, at the memorial complex "Saur-Mogila", the largest Victory Banner in the world was unfurled. Its area is more than two thousand square meters.

As part of the "Unconquered" campaign, the Banner will travel to 14 cities - from the Belarusian Brest to Sevastopol. The expedition will pass through places of military glory through hero cities. #Russia

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920878767280419186

1920878767280419186

Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 23:17

Text:

‼️🇷🇺🚩 In St. Petersburg, 1 million 100 thousand people took part in the Immortal Regiment march, authorities said. #Russia

The first to drive along Nevsky Prospect was a historic car with the Golden Star of the Hero City of Leningrad, awarded to the city in 1965. Following the veterans were the Victory Volunteers, who carried an enlarged copy of the Victory Banner. Following them, the banner group carried ten standards of the Red Army fronts that fought the enemy during the Great Patriotic War. Veterans of the SVO and their families, as well as the city's head, Alexander Beglov, and the speaker of the local parliament, Alexander Belsky, took part in the procession.

Representatives of all 16 republics of the Soviet Union that existed in 1945 brought up the rear of the column.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920965781707190312

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https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920962158474518675

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 23:20

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1920959423335248013

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 23:28

I’m not Russian but I love this song besides the Russian anthem.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1920957713833410770

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 23:39

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1920860982273843537

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Ravenlocke

9th May 2025, 23:40

Text:
Maria Zakharova posted:

“⚡️The Victory Banner and the Russian flag handed over by the Embassy are rising higher and higher - to the top of the world!

🏅A team of brave climbers from the "7 Summits" club congratulates everyone on Victory Day, our great holiday, from a height of 6,200 meters!”

#Victory80

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1920858846702055557

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Ravenlocke

10th May 2025, 00:17

https://x.com/LycorisOrg/status/1920868295852355918

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Bill Ryan

10th May 2025, 00:37

https://x.com/LycorisOrg/status/1920868295852355918

This video was shot at 6 a.m. today in Novosibirsk. At the time when exactly 80 years ago, the great announcer Levitan announced the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.Here's Yuri Levitan, brought to life again by AI and making his historic announcement in his own voice — but in English.

https://rt.com/russia/617206-legendary-soviet-radio-announcer-ai/

WATCH AI-revived iconic Soviet radio announcement of Nazi capitulation in English

Russian AI technology was used to recreate an image of Yuri Levitan and to have him read the now iconic message.

RT has released an AI-generated video of legendary Soviet radio announcer Yuri Levitan broadcasting the news of the Nazis formal surrender in World War II. The video, created with Russian technology, was published on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.

In the video, Levitan is heard reading the real announcement, which came on air at 2:10 am Moscow time on May 9, 1945.

“Attention. This is Moscow speaking. On May 8, 1945, in Berlin, representatives of the German High Command signed the act of unconditional surrender of the German Armed Forces,” Levitan announced. “Germany is utterly defeated.”

https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.05/681e2cd285f54035e93eafdb.mp4

https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.05/681e2cd285f54035e93eafdb.mp4

Ravenlocke

10th May 2025, 17:22

https://x.com/simpatico771/status/1920985264123428957

1920985264123428957

Text:
🇷🇺 Hero of Russia, Vladislav Golovin, call sign "Struna" (String), was elected Chief of the General Staff of the Yunarmiya (The All-Russian Military Patriotic Social Movement "Young Army" supported and funded by Ministry of Defence of Russia).

Golovin was on the front lines from the first days of the SVO, commanding an airborne assault unit. In 2022, during a battle, covering a subordinate, he was wounded and lost a leg.

This is the same guy with the red backpack who took Mariupol, who became a symbol of the Russian fighting spirit. It is very good that real patriots and veterans of the SVO now have a path to politics.
- FRWL

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1871593191998435576

1871593191998435576

Text:

🇷🇺 Hero of Russia, Vladislav Golovin, call sign "Struna" (String), was elected Chief of the General Staff of the Yunarmiya (The All-Russian Military Patriotic Social Movement "Young Army" supported and funded by Ministry of Defence of Russia).

Golovin was on the front lines from the first days of the SVO, commanding an airborne assault unit. In 2022, during a battle, covering a subordinate, he was wounded and lost a leg.

This is the same guy with the red backpack who took Mariupol, who became a symbol of the Russian fighting spirit. It is very good that real patriots and veterans of the SVO now have a path to politics.
- FRWL

https://x.com/SMO_VZ/status/1871606517910155286

1871606517910155286

Ravenlocke

13th May 2025, 21:13

Ravenlocke

13th May 2025, 21:16

Ravenlocke

13th May 2025, 21:17

Text:

Could you imagine living in the coldest town in the world? As frosty temperatures grip Australia's east coast this week, #60Mins take a trip back to a tiny village in Central Siberia, Oymyakon, where
@LiamBartlett9
experienced life in the freezing town. http://bit.ly/2rBpW7A

https://x.com/60Mins/status/1394852576571494405

1394852576571494405

Ravenlocke

13th May 2025, 21:23

December 2021, RT reported zombie fires under the ice, near Oymyakon the world’s coldest village on earth.

Text:
Oymyakon, a village in Siberia, is believed to be the coldest settlement on the planet. Despite the temperature being far below freezing, the village has been troubled by the bizarre natural phenomenon of wildfires that burn beneath the snow and ice.

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1472506998105194503

1472506998105194503

Here is a video of the zombie fires under ice, in case you cannot see the one reported by RT

Text:

Zombie fires burn at -60C outside Oymyakon, the world’s coldest permanently inhabited place. Local photographer captures pillars of smoke rising above the underground peat fire https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/zombie-fires-burn-at-60c-outside-oymyakon-the-worlds-coldest-permanently-inhabited-place/

https://x.com/siberian_times/status/1466306548536201217

1466306548536201217

ExomatrixTV

17th May 2025, 16:55

The Dutch Couple Has Decided To Build The Perfect Farm In Russia:

0ovHzR5L-oE
Jacintha and Mark Walters moved to Russia from the Netherlands a year ago with the idea of building their dream farm here, although both of them were born and raised in the city.

It all started with a passion for organic food, cultivated with special care by local farmers. The couple wanted to pursue agriculture too. Of course, at first, they didn’t consider moving — they tried to find a plot of land in the Netherlands. But the cost of one hectare reached up to 80,000 € — too expensive! Plus, the government is constantly tightening requirements for farmers. The same thing is happening in other European countries.

Thus, the decision was made to move. The choice fell on Russia. Jacintha and Mark traveled extensively in search of their place. They are learning Russian and dream of their future children becoming citizens of this country. For now, it seems, they have decided where they will live in Russia and where they will build their dream farm — where? Watch our video until the end to find out.

00:00 Meet Jacintha and Mark Walters from the Netherlands
01:58 Passion for organic food
04:51 Why they couldn't build a farm in their homeland
07:04 What shocked Russia
08:34 What the guys miss in Russia
08:59 Problems with learning Russian
10:57 Russian borscht
13:11 "Farmers are no longer appreciated in the Netherlands"
15:58 The Walters' farm concept
17:53 "Our goal is to get a Russian passport."
20:04 It seems they've found their place

Ravenlocke

22nd May 2025, 18:27

Song and picscapes of Russia,
Text:
❤️‍🔥 Our land is Russia .

Love and glory, the expanse of heaven,
Double-headed eagle and tricolor.
Great life in the winds of the elements,
The step of the Messiah.
On the best of all planets
Mighty people and President!
My Fatherland! My Russia! My soul!

© Sofia Feskova.
https://x.com/SMO_VZ/status/1925327103219917200

1925327103219917200

Bill Ryan

22nd May 2025, 19:10

Alexander Mercouris has just returned from 3 days in Saint Petersburg, where he'd been invited to attend a legal forum. In the first 10 minutes of his video update today, just having returned to London, he reported on his impressions of Life in Russia as he was able to glimpse it during his brief visit. His summary:

Saint Petersburg was prosperous and vibrant in every way. There was every sign of economic growth, and none at all of any financial distress (e.g. in the form of closed down shops or businesses, empty shelves, etc).

Despite walking around in his clearly western business suit (fresh from his conference), he wasn't bothered or hassled by anyone at all. Indeed, he said he was pretty much ignored.

The restaurants all offered Russian food, and there were no visible foreign brands of merchandise.

He was deeply impressed with how beautifully well-kept all the parks were.

The city was exceptionally clean. He saw no litter or graffiti, no beggars, and no homeless people at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-MhYLpOO0k

Ravenlocke

22nd May 2025, 19:45

Text:
‼️🇺🇸❤️🇷🇺 An #American with 3 children moved his family to Russia and went to the SMO

Derek Huffman has three daughters, ages 10, 11, and 12. In 2022, the family moved to Texas from Arizona to escape the influence of #LGBT propaganda. But political changes reached all states, and the Huffmans decided to leave the United States

"The turning point for us was when we found out that my daughter Sophia had learned about lesbians from a girl in her class. Although Sophia didn't fully understand it, it was enough for us to know that something needed to change," Derek Huffman told RT

In May 2023, they began to explore the issue of moving to the Russian Federation. A week-long trip to Moscow became decisive for their future fate:

"The city was cleaner, safer and more orderly than we could have imagined. Most importantly, we found a place where our values were respected and where we felt at home."

Friends and families supported their decision to move. Derek's wife is an English teacher. She wants to work in Russia as a teacher. He himself decided to sign a contract. Before leaving for the SMO, he applied for citizenship

"I want to contribute and earn our place here by enlisting in the Russian army. Ultimately, we want to fully assimilate into #Russian life, gain citizenship and build a wonderful future here," the American said.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1925437076159250495

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Ravenlocke

26th May 2025, 21:18

Text:
Prices for Groceries in Russia

U.S. citizen Stephen Shores has been living near the Russian capital, in a small town, for several years. He talks about the differences in grocery prices between Russia and his homeland, America. Stephen admits that he is still shocked by how affordable groceries are in Russia compared to the States.

https://x.com/RussianRoad_/status/1926899386790932718

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Ravenlocke

31st May 2025, 23:36

December 2024

🧊 BREAKING POLAR ICE: RUSSIA’S NEW VOSTOK STATION IN ANTARCTICA GETS UP AND RUNNING

The project aims to investigate climate change by studying ancient ice that is 1.5 million years old, as well as Lake Vostok, located approximately 4 kilometers beneath the Antarctic ice sheet.

The Vostok Polar Station is the only Russian facility situated at the center of Antarctica. Its wintering complex, also named Vostok, is recognized as the world's first modern building constructed at the planet's coldest pole.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1863919766794355171

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Text:
🇷🇺 In Antarctica, a new wintering complex at the Russian Vostok station was put into operation on Sunday

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart from Belarus Alexander Lukashenko took part in the commissioning ceremony of the complex via video conference.

The total area of the Vostok station is about 3,000 square meters. The new complex houses scientific laboratories, residential and public spaces for polar explorers, energy centers and technical units for a water purification and storage system, as well as a garage.

The station will be able to accommodate and conduct research activities for 35 seasonal specialists and up to 15 people during the wintering period.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1751681418164678858

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Jaak

11th June 2025, 16:19

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This one is from last year .
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Ravenlocke

11th June 2025, 19:09

Text:
🇷🇺 Happy #RussiaDay!

As per tradition, on this day we share a video love letter to our Motherland — #IloveRussia!

https://x.com/Russia/status/1800807770519687632

1800807770519687632

Text:
🇷🇺🥳 A crowd of people gathered near the #RedSquare — a concert in honor of #Russia Day began there at 19:00.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1932844314075267584

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Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 17:13

Text:
‼️🇷🇺🐟 In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, they celebrate "First Fish Day".

Bright traditional rituals, competitions and performances by folklore groups were held on the shore of Avacha Bay. #Russian #Russia

‼️🇷🇺🐟 In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, they celebrate "First Fish Day". #Russia #Russian

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1933157693054718462

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Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 17:25

Text:
‼️🇷🇺 On #Russia Day, in the St George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, Vladimir #Putin presents the gold medals "Hero of Labor of the #Russian Federation" for outstanding achievements in the field of humanitarian, human rights and charitable activities.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1933110246534255067

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Text:
‼️🇷🇺 A huge #Russian flag was unfurled on Cape Khrustalny in Sevastopol in honor of #Russia Day.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1933127830444953783

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Text:
🇷🇺🤩The first rehearsal of "Scarlet Sails" took place in St. Petersburg. #Russia
#Russian

‼️ The sailboat "Russia" passed under the raised bridges, rehearsing the route of the festive procession. Dozens of city residents and tourists watched the show from the embankment, despite the late hour.

This year, the graduation party will take place on June 28. The show starts at 10:00 PM. The dress rehearsal is scheduled for June 27.

One of the innovations will be the updated route: the brig will pass from the Bronze Horseman across the raised Palace Bridge to the Hermitage, where it will make a spectacular turn.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1933192958158819692

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Text:
🇷🇺 A huge #Russian flag was unfurled at the main building of RUDN in honor of Russia Day

A giant tricolor was unfurled in front of the main building of the Peoples' Friendship University of #Russia (RUDN). The flag occupied almost the entire area, becoming a bright symbol of patriotism and unity.

Students, teachers and staff of the university took part in the event. The ceremonial event became part of the festive program dedicated to the national holiday.

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1933193234596909172

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Text:
‼️🇷🇺 Peter and Paul Fortress Blossoms: International Flower Festival Launches in Saint Petersburg. #Russia

The flower parade with floats decorated in the style of the main events of this year passed along Kronverkskaya Embankment and ended its route at Cathedral Square.

The main themes of the bright celebration were the 80th anniversary of the Victory, the 100th anniversary of the Zenit football club, the 125th anniversary of the launch of the legendary cruiser Aurora, the 145th anniversary of the testing of the first electric tram, the 160th anniversary of the Leningrad Zoo and the 185th anniversary of the birth of Pyotr Tchaikovsky

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1933210999122698344

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Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 17:48

Text:
‘Russia Day symbolizes the powerful path of the Russian State’ – Putin congratulated the citizens of the country on the holiday

‘With all my heart I congratulate you on the holiday, which symbolizes the powerful, continuous, more than thousand-year path of the Russian State, its history and culture, unique natural wealth, diversity and originality of the regions of our country, marks the common destiny of our multinational people, the services to the Fatherland of all generations, their loyalty to the traditions of unity in labor and military achievements.

Such an integral perception of Russia is our common, most important achievement, and a caring, filial attitude, sincere devotion to the Motherland strengthens its strength, independence and sovereignty’

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933129461299327106

1933129461299327106

Text:
Since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine Western media and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly circulated claims that the Russian Federation has suffered over one million casualties. These figures are not only wildly exaggerated but entirely disconnected from the realities of modern warfare Russia’s actual military posture and the broader geopolitical context.

Russia has conducted the operation with restraint and discipline mobilizing forces in a gradual and measured manner. The partial mobilization of 2022 involved approximately 300,000 reservists who are experienced personnel with prior service. In addition tens of thousands of professional contract soldiers and volunteers have joined the ranks motivated by duty and national unity. Even when including all rotations and support roles over a three-year period the total number of military personnel deployed does not exceed 1.4 million. The majority of these are not frontline troops but serve in logistics air defense communications and support roles across the theater.

President Vladimir Putin confirmed in 2024 that approximately 700,000 Russian personnel were deployed in the operational zone. There is no credible pathway by which one million Russian servicemen could have been killed or wounded especially while the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to maintain operational initiative liberate territory and launch sustained offensives in key areas such as Avdiivka and Chasiv Yar.

The claim of one million losses promoted primarily by Ukrainian sources serves propaganda purposes designed to maintain Western financial support distract from Kyiv’s mounting difficulties and create the illusion of Russian strategic exhaustion.

History also invalidates such a claim. The Soviet Union in ten years of war in Afghanistan sustained approximately 15,000 losses. Even during the Great Patriotic War such casualty levels were associated with full-scale total war across multiple fronts. The current operation conducted with precision professional discipline and without general mobilization cannot plausibly have produced such figures.

In reality Russia’s military remains combat-effective well-supplied and fully capable of achieving its stated objectives. The narrative of one million Russian losses is not an analysis it is a political tool part of an information campaign designed to cover up the failings of the Kyiv regime and its NATO sponsors. The Russian people as always remain resilient unified and prepared to defend the sovereignty and security of their country.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933115845737062421

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Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 17:58

Text:
After three years of silence, the United States once again congratulates Russians on Russia Day.

Rubio:

‘On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day. The United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to strive for a brighter future. We also take this opportunity to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to constructively engaging with the Russian Federation to establish a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. We hope that peace will contribute to a more mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries.’

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933041107249537535

1933041107249537535

Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 18:06

Text:
‘It is impossible to imagine our favorite films without the music of this wonderful composer’ – Putin presented the ‘Hero of Labor’ medal to the legendary Alexander Zatsepin.

In response, Zatsepin invited the president to his 100th birthday, which will take place in the Kremlin on March 10.
- SK

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933129955291857229

1933129955291857229

During the ceremony of awarding the Hero of Labor medal, Deputy Scientific Director of the Snezhinsk Nuclear Center Yuri Dikov promised Putin:

“The entire NATO pack will break their teeth on our nuclear shield.”
- SK

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933152638058553771

1933152638058553771

‘The main idea for Russia is immortality. And the immortality of the Russian people and Russia is expressed in the country’s victories’ - Putin told the SVO participants about his conversation with the publicist Prokhanov
- SK

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933154809651355796

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Text:

I’m not Russian, but today, on Russia Day, I can feel what this day might mean.

A country that has carried so much through the centuries. People who have faced hardship, rebuilt, and never stopped calling this place their own.

You don’t have to be Russian to respect that kind of strength. Or to understand what it means to hold on to your identity, even when the world pushes against it.

To everyone marking this day, I hope it reminds you of where you come from and what you’ve held on to.

Happy Russia Day.

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933047985878847754

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Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 18:19

Text:

Maria Zakharova:

“Russian songs will be passed down from generation to generation. They will be sung by different nations, in different ways. But the freedom, radiance and love that permeate them will always light up hearts ❤️💙🤍
Happy Holidays!”

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933089534083727611

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Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 18:23

Text:
Roscosmos Director General Yuri Bakanov, in his address on the occasion of Russia Day, reported on the large-scale goals set for the domestic space industry. Among the key areas, he highlighted plans to create and deploy the first nuclear power plant on the surface of the Moon.

According to him, such technologies will ensure a stable energy supply for future lunar bases and stations, which will be an important step for the long-term presence of humans on the Earth's natural satellite. This opens up prospects for lunar science, resource extraction and space engineering.

In addition, Roscosmos is actively preparing missions to explore Venus. As part of this work, it is planned to send automatic stations that will help study the atmosphere, geology and climatic features of the planet. Bakanov emphasized that these projects reflect the strategic task of returning Russia to its leading positions in space.
- AN

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1933094881125101617

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Bill Ryan

12th June 2025, 19:44

This is Life in Dubai, not Russia! But here's the Burj Khalifa. the world's tallest building, cloaked in the Russian colors.

https://scontent.fgye30-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/506303248_1088010803454080_494440098162940008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=HpJzmcllC4cQ7kNvwHEO8fl&_nc_oc=AdmBvC1NR5dAA37hsUBFqawCkHYE9JPWug4RU7ewolW0p9zuU3zR5nSlB-f6NcGy3QQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fgye30-1.fna&_nc_gid=bvjSq-MKJ2ehC2VTuWTeww&oh=00_AfMhi_-PINbOFJweTeR0em1ILG4dEW7PSarKrKCfWmqazg&oe=6850FA79

Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 22:19

Also the tallest brick minaret in India, lights up in the tricolor for Russia day.

❗️🇷🇺🇮🇳 New Delhi's Qutb Minar - World's Tallest Brick Minaret - Lights Up in Tricolour to Mark Russia Day

https://x.com/RT_India_news/status/1933227034819637594

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Ravenlocke

12th June 2025, 22:52

Text:
🇷🇺 With Red Square as his stage, Shaman electrifies the crowd at a massive Russia Day concert aired live to millions!

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1933280905596186762

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Ravenlocke

21st June 2025, 02:30

🎵 Italian singer Al Bano performed his most famous song — “Felicità” — on Palace Square in St. Petersburg.

https://x.com/ivan_8848/status/1936167486971691385

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Jaak

7th July 2025, 00:06

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Russia seizes and nationalizes largest gold mining company from billionaire estimated to be worth $1.9B
https://en.as.com/latest_news/russia-seizes-and-nationalizes-largest-gold-mining-company-from-billionaire-estimated-to-be-worth-19b-n/

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Billionaire Konstantin Strukov was stopped by authorities in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk while trying to fly to Turkey on his private jet, even though a court had banned him from leaving the country.

Strukov — who leads the mining company Yuzhuralzoloto and serves as a local lawmaker — was about to take off in his Bombardier business jet when officials blocked the flight. They also took away his international passport, which had already been canceled.

A Russian court had earlier forbidden Strukov and his family from leaving Russia after the Prosecutor General’s Office filed a lawsuit to seize his assets. Prosecutors claim Strukov illegally took control of several gold and coal mining companies, including Yuzhuralzoloto, by putting them under the names of relatives and fake owners. Strukov has said he wasn’t trying to run from the Russian authorities.

Jaak

7th July 2025, 18:24

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Jaak

7th July 2025, 18:42

2 of them die at the same day ? Odd things are happening in russia ...
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Jaak

9th July 2025, 22:42

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Ravenlocke

14th July 2025, 17:56

Chinese Tourists Top the Visit Russia Charts
https://russiaspivottoasia.com/chinese-tourists-top-the-visit-russia-charts/
Mainland Chinese are now the largest single nationality for inbound tourist trips to Russia. #ChineseTourists #VisitRussia #ChinaRussia

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1943685430005600730

1943685430005600730

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/chinese-tourists-top-the-visit-russia-charts/

Chinese Tourists Top the Visit Russia Charts
July 11, 2025 China, Exports, Imports, Trade By Russia's Pivot to Asia
The mutual tourism flow between Russia and China reached 2.7 million visits in 2024 and grew further by 20% in Q1 2025, the Russian Economic Development Ministry has stated.

Dmitry Vakhrukov, Russia’s Deputy Economic Development Minister, said, “The total tourism flow reached 2.7 million visits last year. Chinese citizens made 1.2 million tourist trips to Russia, taking first place among tourists visiting our country.” He was speaking at the 22nd meeting of the subcommittee on cooperation in tourism as part of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation in China’s Qingdao.

Russian tourists made 1.5 million trips to China, ranking fifth among countries most Russian tourists visit. Vakhrukov said that “Q1 2025 also shows positive dynamics in the growth of mutual tourist trips. A total of 550,000 trips were made, 20% more than in the same period of 2024.”

Direct flights from Russia and visa-free entry mean that vacations on China’s Hainan Island are very popular among Russian tourists.

The Russian Economic Development Ministry added that they were formalizing a draft protocol to the existing agreement between the Russian and Chinese governments on visa-free group tours and that this is actively progressing. The protocol covers already approved changes to the duration and facilities offered to a tourist group’s stay in the country and new provisions taking into account Russian legislation in the regulation of tour guides and guides-interpreters.

Further Reading

Russia’s 2025 Inbound Tourism Volumes Expected To Increase By 20-25%

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russias-2025-inbound-tourism-volumes-expected-to-increase-by-20-25/

Russia’s 2025 Inbound Tourism Volumes Expected To Increase By 20-25%
May 31, 2025 Asia, China, Imports, India, Middle East, Trade By Russia's Pivot to Asia
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia ATOR) has stated that the forecast volumes of inbound tourists to Russia this year was expected to rise by 25% to reach about 2 million visitors, while the number of outbound Russian tourists is expected to increase to 6.4 million during 2025. The predictions were made by Alexander Musikhin, ATOR’s Vice President for inbound tourism and a general director of Intourist.

Musikhin stated, “Last summer, in 2024, the organized inbound tourism market registered a sharp increase in the number of foreigners traveling to Russia, three times the number during the ‘lost’ summer of 2023. In 2024, flows largely stabilized, meaning the comparison base was no longer so low. For 2025, the market increase will most likely no longer be so vast but continue organically. Forecast data for organized tourism is 20-25%.”

There are several factors affecting inbound tourism during high season, which might correct the forecast downward, he said. The first of these factors is the considerable strengthening of the Russian ruble against the US dollar and the euro.

Musikhin said that “All services in the dollar equivalent are becoming more costly, and our partners abroad are very sensitive to it; they are constantly asking and re-asking for a better price. At the same time, the demand among foreigners for quality accommodation during high season is very high, so no one is talking of any discounts. On the contrary, hotel and transportation prices increased by at least 30%. The average price of a Russia tour, including flights, for a foreign tourist is currently over US$2,000.”

Other factors affecting Russia’s inbound tourism are the requirement for tourists from visa-free countries to register on the Gosuslugi website and an insufficient number of direct flights from the most promising countries sending tourists: Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, Malaysia, and several others. The issue with using foreign bank cards to pay for goods and services in Russia, which is currently impossible, also has an impact.

This summer, the biggest number of tourists are expected from China, who account for an estimated 65% of the total, tour operators said. In second place are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states (around 18%). They are followed by Iran (around 8%), India (around 4%), Southeast Asian countries (around 4%), the CIS, Turkiye, and Europe (around 1%).

The most popular destinations among organized foreign tourists are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, North Caucasus, and Kazan. Chinese groups tend to prefer Siberian and Far Eastern cities.

In total, up to 800,000-850,000 foreign business travelers and tourists (both organized and independent) are predicted to visit Russia in the June-August summer months.

Further Reading

Foreign Visitor To Russia Arrivals Up 95%, With Asian Arrivals Dominating

Ravenlocke

23rd July 2025, 15:20

From RT,

🇷🇺 Satanism completely BANNED in Russia for the first time

After Supreme Court OUTLAWS and recognizes the 'International Satanist Movement' as extremist

Part of move to combat ideologies against traditional spiritual and moral values

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1947969588412756368

1947969588412756368

Ravenlocke

23rd July 2025, 15:30

From Sputnik,

RUSSIA BANS INTERNATIONAL SATANISM MOVEMENT FOR PROMOTING EXTREMISM

The movement is linked to ritual killings, cannibalism, rape, and grave desecration.

After February 2022, Satanists openly backed the Ukrainian army.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1948011456680636695

1948011456680636695

Bill Ryan

23rd July 2025, 15:50

A beautiful 15 minute walk through St Petersburg, filmed and published a couple of weeks ago.

:heart: :flower:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQxPf1KXUXg

Ravenlocke

24th July 2025, 16:57

Average Salaries In Russia Set To Increase By 12% In 2025

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/average-salaries-in-russia-set-to-increase-by-12-in-2025/

The average Russian wage is set to increase by 12% during 2025.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1948018363638141040

1948018363638141040

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/average-salaries-in-russia-set-to-increase-by-12-in-2025/

Average Salaries In Russia Set To Increase By 12% In 2025

July 23, 2025 Economy, Finance, Russian Market By Russia's Pivot to Asia

Average monthly salaries in Russia are expected to grow to ₽100,000 (US$1,273) by the end of 2025, an increase of 12% over the year, according to Izvestia, Russia’s equivalent of the Financial Times.

The best earners now are in the IT sector, finance and raw material extraction, insurance, construction, transportation and storage, while the manufacturing industry has the fastest growing income growth rate. Salaries will actively increase in industries that fulfil government orders. The strengthening of the Ruble against the US dollar has also played a role in the dynamics of salaries.

The expected inflation rate in Russia for 2025 is expected to be between 8-9%. Russia’s GDP growth for the year is expected to be about 1.4% this year, better than the larger European economies.

Further Reading

Russia’s 2024 Median Salary Growth Was The Highest Since 2018

Ravenlocke

24th July 2025, 17:03

China’s Great Wall Autos Investing In Auto Components Plant In Tula

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/chinas-great-wall-autos-investing-in-auto-components-plant-in-tula/

China's Great Wall Motors are adding a Haval brand auto components manufacturing plant to their factory in Tula. #GreatWallMotors #ChinaAuto #HavalJolion

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/chinas-great-wall-autos-investing-in-auto-components-plant-in-tula/

China’s Great Wall Autos Investing In Auto Components Plant In Tula

July 22, 2025 China, Investment, Russian Market, Trade By Russia's Pivot to Asia

China’s Great Wall Motors (GWM) will build a new plant for the production of automobile components and transmissions in Russia’s Tula Region. GWM and the regional government signed the agreement on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June.

The plant, which will create 1,000 jobs, will be built at the Uzlovaya Industrial Park, where a full-cycle car assembly plant has been operating since 2019. In April, an engine assembly plant was also launched there, where GWM branded engines are assembled.

Dmitry Milyaev, the Tula Region Governor said “The Tula Region will provide the company with the necessary assistance for the rapid and effective implementation of the project.” Tula is famous is Russia for its metal-working. GWM’s Tula investment is the largest made by any Chinese manufacturer in Russia.

GWM is one of the top ten Chinese automobile manufacturers, with 1.23 million vehicles sold globally last year. Its GWM plant in Tula has produced 375,000 cars over the past six years, including six crossovers under its Haval marque: Jolion, F7, the F7x, Dargo, H3 and H7.

Further Reading

China Auto Manufacturer Considering Manufacturing Facility In Siberia and Russian Far East

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/china-auto-manufacturer-considering-manufacturing-facility-in-siberia-and-russian-far-east/

China Auto Manufacturer Considering Manufacturing Facility In Siberia and Russian Far East

November 28, 2024 China, Foreign Investment, Imports, Russian Market By Russia's Pivot to Asia

A Chinese automaker is considering Novosibirsk and Irkutsk regions as possible locations for a plant, the chairman of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RAUIE), Vitaly Mankevich has stated. He was speaking at the GlobalSibExpo-China 2024 Automobile Transport, Logistics and Engineering Forum in Novosibirsk.

Mankevich said that “The construction of a Chinese automobile company’s plant with [Russian state corporation] Rostec is now being discussed. Construction of the plant is expected to start in the second half of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.”

He also said the federal authorities and Russian businesses are interested in the construction of a hub to sell Chinese auto parts in Novosibirsk Region, saying that “Various goods will be shipped to Russia, including through Mongolia.”

The only Chinese automaker that is highly localized in Russia now is Great Wall, which manufactures Haval cars at its own plant in the Tula Region under a special investment contract with Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry. The company recently announced plans to expand the plant’s capacity from 150,000 to 200,000 vehicles per year.

China’s auto industry strategy for entering the Russian market has been to manufacture kits in China, then assemble in Russia. Moscow now wants Chinese manufacturers to at least partially manufacture component parts in Russia.

In related market intelligence, Russian Railways (RZD) has proposed to build a distribution centre in Novosibirsk for automobiles imported from China. Kenan Abasov, the deputy head of RZD’s West Siberian Corporate Transport Services Centre said at the same GlobalSibExpo-China event that “Concerning China, we have a new idea to set up a distribution centre to ship in, and import automobiles. Dealers are opening up in Western Siberia, and more and more importers in the country are selling Chinese automobiles such as Chery and Geely. We’ve found some points of contact with them.”

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Russia_Map.jpg

He said automobiles from China now “go directly to Moscow,” but if a distribution centre is built in Novosibirsk it would also serve Kemerovo Region and Eastern Siberia. This would enable Russian automobile dealers to get vehicles faster and automakers to increase sales and reduce transport costs, Abasov said, adding that RZD would increase freight car turnover in this case. There are now ten Chery and Geely dealerships in Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk.

Russia’s domestic sales of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCV) surged 35% year-on-year to 155.3 million vehicles in 2024 January-August this year, according to the Russian Association of European Businesses (AEB), which monitors the auto industry in Russia. That implies an annual Russian new vehicle market of about 233 million vehicles.

Further Reading

China’s Chery Auto Manufacturer Now The Largest Foreign Company In Russia By Revenue