Russian literary classics are not only dramatic plots with tragic endings, but also funny, ironic stories. We’ve picked out ...

Before 1918, distances in Russia were measured not in kilometers, but in versts. Incidentally, they differ slightly from each ...

Founded in the 12th century, Veliky Ustyug is the same age as Moscow. Today, it is home to 28,000 people and even a real Father Frost. Here are three of its main symbols. Veliky Ustyug is the ...

A person who pretends to be unhappy in order to make others pity them is called a “сирота Казанская” (“sirota Kazanskaya”) or ...

Dear readers, We’re excited to announce the relaunch of Russia Beyond under the new brand ‘Gateway to Russia’! We are no ...

This Soviet biplane first took to the skies in 1947. It was actively used in the civil air fleet, cargo transportation and ...

Founded in 1255 by the Teutonic Knights, Königsberg became part of the USSR after World War II. In 1946, it changed its name ...

You can admire them at any time of the year, but, with the onset of cold weather, these villages become just fabulously ...