Culture & Customs

Reviews of three very different, and very important, books.

American rapper Tyga performed in Moscow after Russia's three-year Hollywood drought.

In which we examine Russia's latest rhetorical shield.

Tuva has Russia's highest birth and abortion rate. Women are buying counterfeit abortion pills online — at a high cost.

Russia may ban alcohol on flights and use breathalyzers to prevent drunk passengers from boarding.

Russians are being misled into signing military contracts under the guise of civilian jobs.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has another legal name that's useful for filing taxes, avoiding sanctions, and more.

The unusual approach of a St. Petersburg football team for youth with Downs syndrome.

Police in arrested 10 current and former employees of Russia's largest publishing house on charges of "LGBT propaganda."

Russia commemorated the eightieth anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat with Ukraine war-themed parades and exhibits. And German sausages.

2024's Victory Day parade was a bit of a dud. 2025's more than made up for it.

Mikhail Khachaturian, murdered by his daughters, was posthumously convicted of sexual violence.