Ukraine Nuclear Plant Back Online As Inspection Prepared

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, occupied by Moscow’s troops, came back online Friday, the state operator said after Kyiv claimed it was cut from the national power grid by Russian shelling. The plant — Europe’s largest nuclear facility — was severed Thursday from Ukraine’s power network for the first time in its four-decade history due to…

Take That, You Confusing Preposition!

Купить билет: to buy a ticket It’s a hot Friday in August, which is the perfect time for a pop quiz. What’s a small Russian word that means on, in, for, take, at and with? A) да B) м–да C) не D) на E) и F) бля. If you chose (F) you’re a native Russian…

What Do You Meme?

Six months into the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s political and economic life has changed significantly. New repressive laws forbid Russians from calling the war in Ukraine a “war,” the government blocks websites and social media and large companies have left the country. Protests are impossible. With little space to speak out freely, Russians have turned…

Russian Gold Rerouted to China Amid Western Ban

Russia has significantly ramped up gold exports to China as Western governments closed their markets to the precious metal over the war in Ukraine, media outlet RBC reported Friday citing Chinese customs data. China imported $108.8 million worth of Russian gold in July — a 750% increase from June and a 4,800% increase from the same…