December 15, 2020

Tsargrad the Litmus Tester


Tsargrad the Litmus Tester
The "Orthodox oligarch" is making moves! Image by Txllxt TxllxT via Wikimedia Commons

Russian oligarchs have a stereotype of being rich and involved in politics. Now Konstantin Malofeyev, the so-called “Orthodox oligarch,” is taking steps to ensure that his political views are represented in the State Duma by creating a new political organization: Tsargrad.

Malofeyev, the 46-year-old leader of the movement holds creationist, monarchist, and Russian nationalist views, and is a proponent of the “traditional” family.

Upon founding Tsargrad, Malogeyev wrote in a Telegram post that the movement already had almost one million supporters. He stated that the organization will act as a public controller during elections to the State Duma next year. The movement’s goals are “preserving the nation, protecting the traditional family, the restoration of the imperial traditions of Russian statehood, the maintenance of civic peace and harmony, the maintenance of political and social stability, and the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”

In order to achieve their goals, Tsargrad will support candidates who share their views. In addition, according to spokesman Valery Rukobratsky, Tsargrad will use any legal means available to prevent electing “candidates guilty of Russophobia, insulting the feelings of religious believers, distorting historical truth, or belittling the significance of the achievement of the people in defending the Fatherland.”

Among Tsargrad’s leadership are the politically nationalist former adviser to Putin, Sergei Glazyev, far-right philosopher Aleksandr Dugin, and conservative former Prosecutor-General Yury Skuratov.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955