“Statistics are a stubborn thing, and even with my diagnosis you have a chance to get better! Just believe in it! I was just unlucky :)"

– A beloved and influential Russian oncologist, in his last Facebook post before he died of cancer.

Snowboarder and filmmaker Igor Popelyukh was enjoying himself off-piste at Sheregesh Ski Resort in Kemerovo Region when a large grouse got seriously pissed off.

The All-Russia People’s Front, an organization founded by Russian President Vladimir Putin, apparently counts teenagers as part of all Russian people.

We re-share some of our favorite stories from 2019. They may not be the most noteworthy or newsworthy stories, but we felt they were the most fun.

The bride said that they encountered no problems because they had already changed their appearance to look like a traditional man and woman, and had received new documents that reflect their gender identity.

Political entities and 97-year-old veterans on social media, transgender marriage, and sushi at office parties show Russia is ready for 2020
 

Ded Moroz and kindergarten parents conceive of the Christmas spirit very differently. Also, Russians may have domesticated the first dog.

Pie not in the sky, vampires against anti-vaxxers, cooks for cats… not to mention self-improvement in advance of the New Year

A cold flag, a resolved cold case, and the not-cold-at-all hearts of Russian children

Brezhnev’s traffic ticket goes on sale, Crimea shows up in Astrakhan, and a man gives an all for his cat.

Fish aren’t food, ice cream is medicine, ferns are pickles

Psychic cats and patented tools are priceless. Hot dogs cost 39 rubles.