Russia's independent press faces innumerable pressures. Former Russian Life Editor Mikhail Ivanov (1995–2003) describes how economic issues have long plagued the Russian media system.

A normally quite peaceful board game took a violent turn in Krasoyarsk.

Residents of Voronezh have made us all proud (and a little bit jealous) by setting the Russian record for eating the most sweet cottage cheese-based desserts in one day. 

How does Baba Yaga celebrate her special day? Head to Yekaterinberg to find out.

In May, the Russian Federation temporarily banned the export of grechka, also known as buckwheat, from June 5 to August 31.

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…