Russian marriages have skyrocketed as mobilization orders rock the country.

A school in a Russian Black Sea town held a surprise terrorist drill without warning parents. 

A translator with Russian roots ruminates on her past, and what it means to be a Russophile today.

Young Russians speak out on the effects of the war.

In the wake of Russia’s launching of its Ukraine War, an estimated 150,000+ young Russians have fled the country. We talked to a few who have stayed.

Tender and natural bonds can develop between strangers brought together by misfortune.

“It was a very happy life, because we lived in peace, tranquility. And the fact that our acquaintances from Russia and relatives say that we were infringed upon in some way [by the Ukrainian authorities] is not true. We lived and rejoiced, made plans for the future. And now the 'liberators' have come and 'liberated' from all the good that was in our lives. Ruined, or rather, want to ruin our lives."

–  Julia, a nurse in Severodonetsk, a city in Donbass

“If you had a fight with your wife, then you should ask for forgiveness like this: 'Darling, please forgive me for asking you to marry me….' There is a real chance that suddenly your wife will smile and forgive you. True, wives are unpredictable in their grievances—you can die from violence.”

– A Russian priest's "life hack" for marital struggles.

In honor of Chekhov's birthday, we present his story, "The Fiasco," translated by Bob Blaisdell. And a video version...

The Rostov Oblast puts new limitations on the behavior of wedding-goers.

"Thank God no one is writing any filth. Everything somehow really worked out very soulfully. This kind of thing is a sincere message from one to the other."

–  A representative of the Omsk ritual company “Heritage,” explaining the response to a New Year’s letter-writing campaign for the deceased, headed by a very punny Dead Morose.

A deputy from Russia’s Rostov Region, who lives in a home with décor that rivals a tsar’s, is suspected of making some of his money stealing from poor kids. Oh my.