Belarus opens Russia's eight annual tank biathlon with tutus and Swan Lake.

Pressure on independent journalism, champagne importers, and some Olympics and architectural news.

In which our language insert looks at Russian words with German roots.

A crumble cake in Russia is something like banana bread in the US – the varieties are endless, and every avid baker has her “grandmother’s recipe” in their repertoire.

At the beginning of July, the Russian government re-tire-d a form of folk art  dear to many: the lawn tire.

“Today, the city bath house needs support because, due to last year's lengthy six-month shutdown associated with the coronavirus, the banya cannot pull itself out of debt."

– Mikhail Valov, Mayor of Sayanogorsk, inviting citizens to save his city’s municipal bathhouse from the economic ravages of the Coronavirus on August 23.

In Russia, mascots only get better. Imagine a child cracking a smile not JUST for a man bungling in a hot costume, but for a role model who looks like a beloved teatime treat…

Remnants of the Imperial Russian past are all over Alaska – and California, too.

A little levity can be good for the Covid blues, and expert Khadizhat Omarova of Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor has given a variety of advice to accelerate recovery. Why not give your lungs a good stretch and practice your folk song, too?

“There is not a single builder in Paradise.”

– Stanislav Lisichenko, Russian restaurateur, providing an anecdote for Russia’s “Builder’s Day," August 8.

Russia isn't known for being a warm-water country, but during the summer months there are more than enough accessible rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans within and around the country to have a little fun.

Look out NFL – the Russian Super Bowl was held in the Moscow region last weekend.