Fall starts on a harmonious note, Putin’s meeting with the Saudis — not so much. Also, happy birthday to vodka!

Autumn is colder and darker than summer, but is it really that depressing? Classic poets and rock musicians weigh in.

Russians send the Night’s Watch to New Jersey and bottles to Brazil; they welcome a Swedish girl to speak and immigrants to share their imya (name). 
 

Swing dance talent and passion is surprisingly strong in Eastern Europe.

Can samogon predict recessions? Can a balloon seduce Elon Musk? And can Putin grow babies in labs? Find out this and more in this week’s TWERF.

Travelers hailing from 53 countries can now enter St. Petersburg on a hassle-free (and FREE) electronic visa. Dobro pozhalovat!

All of Twitter’s a stage for the Russian Foreign Ministry to promote its view of World War II.

Small-town Ukraine shows a different side of one the famous "Russian" writer.
 

Defense against  walruses, shamans and climate change

While city vehicles go for a stroll, death comes knocking — twice.

Forget vodka – dessert is the best part of Russian meals.

Russian women: give birth in Syrian prisons, drive metro trains, make news (and borsch), and welcome children home from the dead.