Blog

While the world buzzed over new sanctions, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin went on a fishing trip with some of his colleagues. Check out the catch.

Navalny’s Problems Mount as Volunteers Beaten and Detained

Volunteers working for opposition leader Alexei Navalny clashed with police on Saturday in the Kostroma region as they organized a public speaking event in the city’s central October Square

Russian Ambassador Kislyak on Meeting With Trump Advisor Flynn: ‘There Were no Secrets’

“Any diplomat, Russian or not, works to better understand the political situation of the place where he is stationed.”

Washington’s New Sanctions on Russia, Explained

It was clear days before he put pen to paper on Wednesday, that U.S. President Donald Trump would sign the latest round of sanctions against Russia

European Human Rights Court Moves to Stop Gay Journalist’s Deportation to Uzbekistan

A top European human rights court has said the extradition of a gay journalist from Russia to Uzbekistan is illegal as long as the court has not decided on his case, according to his lawyer.

European Human Rights Court Moves to Stop Gay Journalist’s Extradition to Uzbekistan

A top European human rights court has said the extradition of a gay journalist from Russia to Uzbekistan is illegal as long as the court has not decided on his case, according to his lawyer.

EU to Expand Russia Sanctions Over Crimea Siemens Scandal — Reuters

The European Union on Friday will agree to extend sanctions on Russia over the secret delivery of Siemens turbines to Crimea, Reuters reports.

Duma Speaker Volodin Teaches Young Communist Lesson About Stalin, But They Aren’t Having It

When State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin reprimanded a young Communist for failing to recognize a quote by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, he might have miscalculated.

The Secret Life of Russian Words

An English word in Russian is like a long-time expat who, after a few years in Moscow, makes everyone wear slippers in his apartment and doesn’t consider a meal complete unless there’s soup.

Trump’s Popularity in Russia Takes Sharp Hit After U.S. Sanctions

The love affair with the U.S. president is over.

After Russia Sanctions, State Dept. Advises ‘Settle Things Down’

A U.S. State Department spokesperson has responded to allegations that fresh U.S sanctions on Russia amount to a “declaration of economic war”

Russian Lawyer Tells State TV She Met Trump Jr. to Ask for ‘Help’

“It was a private meeting,” Natalya Veselnitskaya told the Rossia-24 channel’s Vesti news program

Russian Lawyer Tells State TV She Met With Donald Trump Jr. to Ask for ‘Help’

“It was a private meeting,” Natalya Veselnitskaya told the Rossia-24 channel’s Vesti news program

Navalny Fined $5,000 Over Canvassing Violations

A Moscow court has fined opposition leader Alexei Navalny 300,000 rubles ($5,000) for encouraging his supporters to distribute political fliers

Arts & CultureBy admin August 2, 2017

A Brief History of Eclipse Chasers

They also go by umbraphiles, coronaphiles, eclipsoholics and ecliptomaniacs

Russians Are Adjusting to Food Import Ban and Domestic Cheese

Two-thirds of those polled by the Romir research company in June, said they did not find that the quality of food products that fall under a Russian import had deteriorated in the past year

After Sanctions, There’s No Way Back (Op-ed)

Russia and the United States are capable of steering the world towards confrontation or cooperation

Arts & CultureBy admin August 2, 2017

Christylez Bacon on Finding His Voice through Music

The Grammy-nominated artist takes inspiration from weaving together seemingly disparate musical forms

With Trump’s Hands Tied, Putin Is Free to Act (Op-ed)

Putin is free to take his U.S. policy in any direction that he sees fit.

Host of Russian ‘Jerry Springer’ Reportedly Quits As Show Becomes Politicized

The long-time host of Russia’s most popular talk show on state television is reportedly quitting his job due to political pressure.

Mass Brawl Breaks Out on Moscow Construction Site

Construction workers clashed in a brawl on a construction site on Moscow’s outskirts. Six of the workers were reportedly hospitalized.

Gay Uzbek Journalist Facing Deportation Attempts Suicide in Detention

A Moscow court ruled on Tuesday that an openly gay journalist writing under the pen name Ali Feruz had violated Russian immigration laws and would be deported to Uzbekistan

Russian Theater Goes Abroad

A decade ago Eddie Aronoff came to Russia to teach English and ended up becoming a film and theater producer.

Teacher Reportedly Fired for Opposition Activities Rehired After Media Storm

An award-winning teacher from the Moscow region, who claimed he was fired last week for his political activities, has been reappointed.

Russia Summons Moldovan Ambassador Over Rogozin Flight Ban

Moldova’s ambassador to Moscow Andrei Neguta was summoned to Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday after his government declared Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin a persona non grata

Russian Officials See Decades of Conflict With U.S. After Trump Signed Sanctions

The new sanctions are “a full-fledged economic war on Russia,” Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Blasts U.S. Embassy in Moscow

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova lashed out at the U.S. Embassy in Russia late last night

Moscow: Trump ‘Surrendered’ by Approving New Sanctions Against Russia

The White House announced last Friday that Trump would sign the legislation, which passed through the U.S. Congress with near-unanimous support.

Russian Media Identifies State Duma Deputies Who Excelled at Doing Absolutely Nothing

Seventeen deputies in the State Duma were inactive during sessions for a year, according to an RBC report published Monday

Air and Water: Russian Paratroopers Day

This year’s National Paratroopers’ Day marks 87 years since the founding of the corps. Often a rowdy celebration, paratroopers in their blue berets and striped shirts lay claim to park fountains.

Russian TV Presenter Punched Live on Air at Paratrooper Celebrations

Moments after Nikita Razvozzhayev began his live broadcast, he was approached by what appeared to be a heavily intoxicated man who punched him in the face

Russian Losses In Syria Four Times Higher Than Official Count — Reuters

At least 40 Russians have died fighting in Syria this year alone.

Deadly Shooting at Moscow Court Could Be Result of Negligence

There were only two guards, one of whom was female, for the entire group, according to the Moscow Investigative Committee.

World Cup Drunks Will Receive ‘Humane’ Treatment, Russian Official Promises

“If a person has had one drink too many, he needs to rest somewhere.”

Moscow Court to Deport Gay Novaya Gazeta Journalist to Uzbekistan

A Moscow court has ruled to deport an openly gay journalist to Uzbekistan where homosexuality is a punishable offense

U.S. Embassy Vacates Moscow Premises, Denies Visa Refusal Claims

The embassy was required to leave the dacha in Serebryany Bor as well as a diplomatic warehouse in an industrial area on Dorozhnaya Street by Aug. 1.

Teacher Handed Prize by Putin Says He Was Fired for Opposition Views

Demakhin was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” prize personally by Vladimir Putin in 2012.

Arts & CultureBy admin July 31, 2017

Food Historian Reckons With the Black Roots of Southern Food

In his new book, Michael Twitty shares the contributions that enslaved African-Americans and their descendants have made to southern cuisine

Three ‘GTA’ Gang Members Dead Following Shootout at Moscow Court

The defendants were reportedly members of a criminal group known as the GTA Gang.

‘Foreign Agents’ Given State Funding, While Pro-Kremlin Bikers Shunned

Three Russian non-governmental organizations which have been labeled “foreign agents” have been awarded presidential grants.

Russian LGBT Group Alleges Killings of Gay Men in Chechnya

The Russian LGBT Network published a new report on Monday, adding to mounting allegations of persecutions of gay people in Chechnya

Moscow Mayor Rubber-Stamps Apartment Demolition Lists

The controversial urban renewal scheme is scheduled to roll out over two decades

The Kremlin’s VPN Ban Has KGB Roots (Op-ed)

The Kremlin’s ban on VPNs is less about national security than self preservation

Russia Introduces Rule to Rescue Those Stuck in Elevators Within 30 Minutes

Starting Aug. 1, elevator repairs should not take longer than 24 hours and the evacuation of people stuck inside elevators should take place within 30 minutes.

The Ousting of Hundreds of U.S. Diplomats From Moscow, Explained

What you need to know about Moscow’s decision to cut U.S. diplomatic staff to 455.

U.S. Embassy Staff Barred Entry to Moscow Properties

Russia blocked access on Tuesday to U.S. embassy recreational property in a Moscow suburb and closed access to a 2,000 square meter warehouse.

If U.S. Slows Visa Processing, Moscow Will Reciprocate — Russian Politician

A Russian official has said Moscow will reciprocate with longer wait times if the U.S. Embassy slows up travel visa processing for Russian citizens.

Novaya Gazeta Publishes Documents Detailing Chechnya Executions

Independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta has published photocopies of documents they say corroborate their earlier investigation into extrajudicial killings in the North Caucasus republic of Chechnya

Arts & CultureBy admin July 30, 2017

The Fascinating, Regal History Behind Britain’s Swans

The aristocratic bird’s has a legacy as a luxury status symbol that dates back centuries

U.S. Embassy in Moscow Says ‘Too Early’ to Know How Russian Measures Will Affect Visas

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Friday it was ordering cuts to U.S. diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 employees by September

Is There a Rebirth of Stalinism in Russia? (Op-ed)

Stalinism was criminal, costly and inefficient. Today’s Russia could meet the same fate.

Arts & CultureBy admin July 30, 2017

Take an Exclusive Sneak Peek Inside the Renovated Freer Gallery, Reopening in October

Charles Lang Freer gifted this meditative haven for art lovers to the nation and was James McNeill Whistler’s friend and patron

Russian Court Sentences Ukrainian Citizen for Terror Plot

A Ukrainian citizen has been given a 12- year prison sentence for allegedly plotting a terror attack in Russia.

Putin Says Russia Held Back on Counter-Sanctions for a ‘Long Time’

Russia held back with introducing sanctions “for quite some time,” Putin says, but lost hope after Washington’s “unprovoked move.”

Russia Celebrates Navy Day

Russia’s Navy Day is a national holiday that is celebrated on the last Sunday of July. This year, Navy Day was celebrated in St. Petersburg, Vladivostok and Sevastopol.

Putin Signs Law Prohibiting VPNs

The new laws, which come into force Nov. 1, forbid internet proxy services (VPNs) that help internet users gain access to websites that have been blocked by the government.

NewsBy admin July 28, 2017

Russia’s Response to Sanctions Shows Restraint (Op-ed)

The expulsions allow Russia to signal displeasure without doing serious harm. But that could change.

Arts & CultureBy admin July 27, 2017

Does the Narwhal’s Majestic Tusk Have a Point?

A Connecticut dentist, turned curator of a new exhibition, has long worked to solve the secrets of the whale’s characteristic horn

NewsBy admin July 27, 2017

Why Russian and Chinese Warships Joined Forces in the Baltic Sea This Week (Op-ed)

For years, Russian-Chinese naval exercises have been staged closer and closer to potential conflict zones and the training scenarios have become increasingly realistic.

NewsBy admin July 27, 2017

Perestroika Street Photographs

The six years of perestroika – from 1985 until the end of 1991 when the Soviet Union was dissolved – was a time of wildly syncopated change in the country.