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Brian McDonald

@27khv • 21,570 subscribers

Irish. Long time Russia-based journalist. Interested in facts and objectivity. Not interested in ideology or wishful thinking.

Shorts

In Siberia’s Surgut, a girl in a dress was spotted cycling through –27°C (–16.6°F). Meanwhile, you hear people on X claiming Russia won’t survive the winter. 😉

In Siberia’s Surgut, a girl in a dress was spotted cycling through –27°C (–16.6°F). Meanwhile, you hear people on X claiming Russia won’t survive the winter. 😉

466,279 次观看

Horrible video from Novorossiysk: a scooter rider hit a woman at full speed as she stepped out of a shop. She was thrown several metres, hit her head, and lost consciousness. Hospitalised. In Russia scooters are allowed on pavements, not roads. Which makes no sense to me.

Horrible video from Novorossiysk: a scooter rider hit a woman at full speed as she stepped out of a shop. She was thrown several metres, hit her head, and lost consciousness. Hospitalised. In Russia scooters are allowed on pavements, not roads. Which makes no sense to me.

327,706 次观看

The Russian owner of the largest startup in Europe, Revolut’s Nikolay Storonsky, says that Europeans are lazy and don't want to work.

The Russian owner of the largest startup in Europe, Revolut’s Nikolay Storonsky, says that Europeans are lazy and don't want to work.

242,959 次观看

A new scandal in Ufa. A teacher at Lyceum allegedly tied up a 7th-grader and beat him with a belt after the boy drew a crude caricature of him as cartoon character Cheburashka. Prosecutors in Bashkortostan have launched a check after videos of the incident spread online.

A new scandal in Ufa. A teacher at Lyceum allegedly tied up a 7th-grader and beat him with a belt after the boy drew a crude caricature of him as cartoon character Cheburashka. Prosecutors in Bashkortostan have launched a check after videos of the incident spread online.

131,433 次观看

In Russia's Yakutia the first snow flakes are already falling. A reminder: winter is coming, and it waits for no one.

In Russia's Yakutia the first snow flakes are already falling. A reminder: winter is coming, and it waits for no one.

85,600 次观看

The deputy head of Orel's local water company was asked by local TV about delays fixing a collapsed sewage collector and whether he’d seen the complaints on the internet. His answer? “Nothing online interests me except porn.”

The deputy head of Orel's local water company was asked by local TV about delays fixing a collapsed sewage collector and whether he’d seen the complaints on the internet. His answer? “Nothing online interests me except porn.”

53,391 次观看

Western celebrity sightings in Russia this weekend: American rapper Rick Ross in Moscow, and French film director Gaspar Noé in St. Petersburg.

Western celebrity sightings in Russia this weekend: American rapper Rick Ross in Moscow, and French film director Gaspar Noé in St. Petersburg.

57,401 次观看

The Russian delegation arriving in Geneva this morning for the third round of peace talks on Ukraine. The twenty strong delegation is led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky and GRU chief Igor Kostyukov. Talks with Ukrainian and US representatives are scheduled to begin at midday local time and are expected to cover a broader agenda than previous rounds, including territorial issues.

The Russian delegation arriving in Geneva this morning for the third round of peace talks on Ukraine. The twenty strong delegation is led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky and GRU chief Igor Kostyukov. Talks with Ukrainian and US representatives are scheduled to begin at midday local time and are expected to cover a broader agenda than previous rounds, including territorial issues.

27,208 次观看

Leaders of CSTO member states stand for a group photo in Bishkek… with one notable absence. Armenia technically remains a member of the Russian-led security bloc but has again skipped the summit. Yerevan blames Moscow for the loss of Karabakh, despite Russia having always recognised the territory as part of Azerbaijan.

Leaders of CSTO member states stand for a group photo in Bishkek… with one notable absence. Armenia technically remains a member of the Russian-led security bloc but has again skipped the summit. Yerevan blames Moscow for the loss of Karabakh, despite Russia having always recognised the territory as part of Azerbaijan.

31,559 次观看

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, a few minutes ago, responding to a question about the Kremlin's knowledge of the progress in peace talks held in Switzerland: "We haven’t gotten anything yet. We’re keeping a close eye on the media reports, which have been coming in abundantly over the past few days, including from Geneva. But officially, we haven't received anything so far."

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, a few minutes ago, responding to a question about the Kremlin's knowledge of the progress in peace talks held in Switzerland: "We haven’t gotten anything yet. We’re keeping a close eye on the media reports, which have been coming in abundantly over the past few days, including from Geneva. But officially, we haven't received anything so far."

31,717 次观看

Putin’s spokesman clarifies Russia’s stance on nuclear testing: “I want to emphasize this. The President did not instruct us to begin preparations for tests. He instructed us to examine whether it would be advisable to begin preparations. That is what will be worked on now.”

Putin’s spokesman clarifies Russia’s stance on nuclear testing: “I want to emphasize this. The President did not instruct us to begin preparations for tests. He instructed us to examine whether it would be advisable to begin preparations. That is what will be worked on now.”

32,419 次观看

The first snow is falling today in European Russia. blizzards in Smolensk (near Belarus) and Pskov (near Estonia), wet flakes in Moscow. And fittingly, tomorrow is Pokrov, the Orthodox feast of protection. Folk wisdom says: if it snows on Pokrov, expect a long, hard winter.

The first snow is falling today in European Russia. blizzards in Smolensk (near Belarus) and Pskov (near Estonia), wet flakes in Moscow. And fittingly, tomorrow is Pokrov, the Orthodox feast of protection. Folk wisdom says: if it snows on Pokrov, expect a long, hard winter.

31,383 次观看

A woman from Novosibirsk casually eating ice cream while sitting in an ice hole during winter swimming. She says she’s been doing cold exposure for 5+ years, “doesn’t prepare at all,” swims all winter and “never gets sick.” Only in Siberia.

A woman from Novosibirsk casually eating ice cream while sitting in an ice hole during winter swimming. She says she’s been doing cold exposure for 5+ years, “doesn’t prepare at all,” swims all winter and “never gets sick.” Only in Siberia.

20,581 次观看

In Georgia, protestors opposing the participation of the Russian team in the World Fencing Championship burned and trampled the Russian flag. They held US flags while doing it. Make of that what you will.

In Georgia, protestors opposing the participation of the Russian team in the World Fencing Championship burned and trampled the Russian flag. They held US flags while doing it. Make of that what you will.

34,013 次观看

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has just landed in Moscow's Vnukovo airport, accompanied by the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The pair's motorcade is already on its way to the centre of the Russian capital. American media report their talks with Putin will focus on Ukraine, Russia potentially joining Trump’s newly-created “Peace Council,” and a possible trilateral Russia–US–Ukraine meeting. Witkoff’s last Moscow visit was Dec 3, when he reportedly brought a 28-point Trump plan plus additional documents, alongside discussion of possible US–Russia economic cooperation.

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has just landed in Moscow's Vnukovo airport, accompanied by the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The pair's motorcade is already on its way to the centre of the Russian capital. American media report their talks with Putin will focus on Ukraine, Russia potentially joining Trump’s newly-created “Peace Council,” and a possible trilateral Russia–US–Ukraine meeting. Witkoff’s last Moscow visit was Dec 3, when he reportedly brought a 28-point Trump plan plus additional documents, alongside discussion of possible US–Russia economic cooperation.

14,648 次观看

According to Moscow City Hall, services have mobilised 130,000 workers and more than 15,000 vehicles after over 60% of January’s average snowfall fell in just 24 hours. Snow cover has already reached 31 cm (around 12 inches) and may increase further to 65cm, with ongoing delays and cancellations at Moscow’s airports

According to Moscow City Hall, services have mobilised 130,000 workers and more than 15,000 vehicles after over 60% of January’s average snowfall fell in just 24 hours. Snow cover has already reached 31 cm (around 12 inches) and may increase further to 65cm, with ongoing delays and cancellations at Moscow’s airports

14,071 次观看

For the first time in centuries, Russia's Krasheninnikov volcano has erupted—ash plumes are reaching 5–6 km high. It follows a massive 8.8 quake and the eruption of nearby Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Two volcanoes in one week. The Pacific Ring of Fire is wide awake.

For the first time in centuries, Russia's Krasheninnikov volcano has erupted—ash plumes are reaching 5–6 km high. It follows a massive 8.8 quake and the eruption of nearby Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Two volcanoes in one week. The Pacific Ring of Fire is wide awake.

22,268 次观看

A rare flash of drama in the Russian Duma today as the leader of Putin's 'United Russia' party Vyacheslav Volodin tore into the Communists for their sudden push to resurrect monuments to Stalin—decades after they tore them down. “You condemned him—then you stuck to this line. If you’ve reconsidered your position, then repent!” he said, calling out their change of heart. “Where are the monuments to Stalin? Who demolished them? You did,” Volodin added, referring to the de-Stalinization drive under Khrushchev in the 1950s. The clash came during debate over a heritage bill. The Communists warned Soviet-era sites are under threat, but Volodin fired back, claiming United Russia has done more to preserve Soviet history than the Communists themselves.

A rare flash of drama in the Russian Duma today as the leader of Putin's 'United Russia' party Vyacheslav Volodin tore into the Communists for their sudden push to resurrect monuments to Stalin—decades after they tore them down. “You condemned him—then you stuck to this line. If you’ve reconsidered your position, then repent!” he said, calling out their change of heart. “Where are the monuments to Stalin? Who demolished them? You did,” Volodin added, referring to the de-Stalinization drive under Khrushchev in the 1950s. The clash came during debate over a heritage bill. The Communists warned Soviet-era sites are under threat, but Volodin fired back, claiming United Russia has done more to preserve Soviet history than the Communists themselves.

13,701 次观看

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This is bizarre. Emilia Clarke randomly swears in Russian just to buy eggs from a older lady in Moscow, in Peacock’s new Cold War CIA series Ponies.

This is bizarre. Emilia Clarke randomly swears in Russian just to buy eggs from a older lady in Moscow, in Peacock’s new Cold War CIA series Ponies.

1,812,290 次观看 • 4 个月前

Putin recalls staying overnight at Tony Blair’s home in England: “In the morning we sat in our pajamas drinking coffee.” He confirms the coffee was good. Then adds: "Blair is not known [as a man of] peace, but he’s a man with his own views. An experienced politician.”

Putin recalls staying overnight at Tony Blair’s home in England: “In the morning we sat in our pajamas drinking coffee.” He confirms the coffee was good. Then adds: "Blair is not known [as a man of] peace, but he’s a man with his own views. An experienced politician.”

1,283,129 次观看 • 8 个月前

A story that sounds too insane to be true: a dog in Novosibirsk blew up an entire apartment after turning on a stove with his teeth. The bug spray can on top detonated, blasting out windows and doors. Fido survived by hiding on the balcony like a tiny action hero.

A story that sounds too insane to be true: a dog in Novosibirsk blew up an entire apartment after turning on a stove with his teeth. The bug spray can on top detonated, blasting out windows and doors. Fido survived by hiding on the balcony like a tiny action hero.

369,761 次观看 • 6 个月前

An elderly Siberian lady showed everyone how to stop a tram with sheer force of will in Novosibirsk. She stepped onto the tracks, argued with the driver, demanded the doors be opened (things escalated to shoving) and in the end she won. A few others jumped on too.

An elderly Siberian lady showed everyone how to stop a tram with sheer force of will in Novosibirsk. She stepped onto the tracks, argued with the driver, demanded the doors be opened (things escalated to shoving) and in the end she won. A few others jumped on too.

288,464 次观看 • 5 个月前

Russian PM Mishustin has announced that Putin has approved what will be Europe’s largest ever high-speed rail project: over 4,500 km of new lines, linking Moscow to St Petersburg (construction starts this month), Minsk, Yekaterinburg, Rostov, Krasnodar, Sochi, Nizhny Novgorod & Kazan The domestically produced trains will run at up to 400 km/h. It also hints at what kind of employment Russia will lean on once the guns fall silent...

Russian PM Mishustin has announced that Putin has approved what will be Europe’s largest ever high-speed rail project: over 4,500 km of new lines, linking Moscow to St Petersburg (construction starts this month), Minsk, Yekaterinburg, Rostov, Krasnodar, Sochi, Nizhny Novgorod & Kazan The domestically produced trains will run at up to 400 km/h. It also hints at what kind of employment Russia will lean on once the guns fall silent...

315,705 次观看 • 8 个月前

With Iran back on the boil, here's another Vladimir Zhirinovsky “prophecy” from beyond the grave (my translation): "So what’s their plan? Occupy nine more countries, smash Syria, then hit Iran with a military strike. But what’s the spark that sets it all off? Or more like… what’s the fuse? "Where is this pressure on Iran even coming from? The Arab states talk about “democratizing by force”, but let’s be honest: it’s really about getting control of energy resources. And this “future crisis” isn’t future at all. It’s already happening. "The US wants to weaken China if Iran gets hit. Oil prices would go through the roof. China’s economy wouldn’t take it. The EU wouldn’t take it either. One strike on Iran and you hit both China and Europe. But then Russia is still standing. So how do you weaken Russia? "From Iran, there’s only one direction to push: north. South is Syria, they’ll install a pro-American regime there. South is Iraq, they fought there for years and they’re still at it. So the only route is north, especially with that Azerbaijani corridor."

With Iran back on the boil, here's another Vladimir Zhirinovsky “prophecy” from beyond the grave (my translation): "So what’s their plan? Occupy nine more countries, smash Syria, then hit Iran with a military strike. But what’s the spark that sets it all off? Or more like… what’s the fuse? "Where is this pressure on Iran even coming from? The Arab states talk about “democratizing by force”, but let’s be honest: it’s really about getting control of energy resources. And this “future crisis” isn’t future at all. It’s already happening. "The US wants to weaken China if Iran gets hit. Oil prices would go through the roof. China’s economy wouldn’t take it. The EU wouldn’t take it either. One strike on Iran and you hit both China and Europe. But then Russia is still standing. So how do you weaken Russia? "From Iran, there’s only one direction to push: north. South is Syria, they’ll install a pro-American regime there. South is Iraq, they fought there for years and they’re still at it. So the only route is north, especially with that Azerbaijani corridor."

149,600 次观看 • 4 个月前

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims correspondence in all messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal etc) is fully visible to spy agencies: "Any messengers are absolutely transparent systems. People who use them should understand they are transparent... for the security services, of course."

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims correspondence in all messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal etc) is fully visible to spy agencies: "Any messengers are absolutely transparent systems. People who use them should understand they are transparent... for the security services, of course."

221,278 次观看 • 9 个月前

Putin, closing out his China trip, says gas through Power of Siberia 2 will be sold at market rates... with no “friendship discounts” for Beijing, despite what Western media keeps claiming. Of course, “market rates” in Beijing’s lexicon are a different animal and the Chinese will try to drive them down toward their own domestic benchmarks. Other main points from the presser: Putin remarks that the pipeline talks have dragged on for years and that Russia expects to send over 100 bcm of gas a year to China in the future. That's still short of previous supplies to the EU, but getting closer. He says that while Eurozone economies are stuck in recession, the global economy still moving; calls the visit’s results “positive;” says the idea of global governance is timely and remarks that SCO unity shows “confidence” the bloc can meet its goals.

Putin, closing out his China trip, says gas through Power of Siberia 2 will be sold at market rates... with no “friendship discounts” for Beijing, despite what Western media keeps claiming. Of course, “market rates” in Beijing’s lexicon are a different animal and the Chinese will try to drive them down toward their own domestic benchmarks. Other main points from the presser: Putin remarks that the pipeline talks have dragged on for years and that Russia expects to send over 100 bcm of gas a year to China in the future. That's still short of previous supplies to the EU, but getting closer. He says that while Eurozone economies are stuck in recession, the global economy still moving; calls the visit’s results “positive;” says the idea of global governance is timely and remarks that SCO unity shows “confidence” the bloc can meet its goals.

222,592 次观看 • 9 个月前

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin sounded the alarm on Wednesday about a major labor shortage in the Russian capital (my translation): "We’re short about 400 to 500 thousand workers, and even with the economy 'cooling off,' as people like to put it, that number isn’t really going down. And chances are the shortage is only going to get worse in the coming years because of the demographics we’re dealing with."

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin sounded the alarm on Wednesday about a major labor shortage in the Russian capital (my translation): "We’re short about 400 to 500 thousand workers, and even with the economy 'cooling off,' as people like to put it, that number isn’t really going down. And chances are the shortage is only going to get worse in the coming years because of the demographics we’re dealing with."

124,540 次观看 • 5 个月前

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on EU complaints over exclusion from talks: "They already had their chances, and they blew them. Now they’re saying: don’t you dare do anything without us. Well, guys, you had your chances. You didn’t use them, you simply wasted them."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on EU complaints over exclusion from talks: "They already had their chances, and they blew them. Now they’re saying: don’t you dare do anything without us. Well, guys, you had your chances. You didn’t use them, you simply wasted them."

120,024 次观看 • 6 个月前

Ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has been accused of cynically rebranding himself as a conservative. He says he was never a "pure liberal," just an economic one, and that today's liberalism is far removed from what he knew in the past: “I was never some kind of pure, textbook liberal, and never an absolute conservative either. People are a mix of things. You called me an economic liberal: sure, if we’re talking strictly about economic policy, that’s one thing. But these days the word liberal means something else entirely, a whole set of values that frankly aren’t close to me at all. "If you ask whether I support a modern market economy? Yes, absolutely. I remember the Soviet economy, and it clearly couldn’t compete with a strong market system. But if we’re talking about ideology, then my views are now very far from those who see themselves as part of today’s liberal camp. And honestly, I never really was one of them anyway."

Ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has been accused of cynically rebranding himself as a conservative. He says he was never a "pure liberal," just an economic one, and that today's liberalism is far removed from what he knew in the past: “I was never some kind of pure, textbook liberal, and never an absolute conservative either. People are a mix of things. You called me an economic liberal: sure, if we’re talking strictly about economic policy, that’s one thing. But these days the word liberal means something else entirely, a whole set of values that frankly aren’t close to me at all. "If you ask whether I support a modern market economy? Yes, absolutely. I remember the Soviet economy, and it clearly couldn’t compete with a strong market system. But if we’re talking about ideology, then my views are now very far from those who see themselves as part of today’s liberal camp. And honestly, I never really was one of them anyway."

58,877 次观看 • 4 个月前

Trump: “I set up a meeting for Steve Whitkoff with President Putin, thinking it’d be a 15–20 minute meeting. Steve had no idea about Russia, or Putin too much, or politics. “After 30 minutes I called. Still with Putin. An hour later: still with Putin. Three hours: still with Putin... after five hours he finally came out. Trump: “I said what the hell were you talking about for five hours?”

Trump: “I set up a meeting for Steve Whitkoff with President Putin, thinking it’d be a 15–20 minute meeting. Steve had no idea about Russia, or Putin too much, or politics. “After 30 minutes I called. Still with Putin. An hour later: still with Putin. Three hours: still with Putin... after five hours he finally came out. Trump: “I said what the hell were you talking about for five hours?”

92,854 次观看 • 7 个月前

It looks like all the world’s snow has been dumped on Kamchatka. Russian media says the peninsula has now seen its biggest snowfall of the 21st century, with drifts reaching up to the 4th floor of buildings. (sorry for the music).

It looks like all the world’s snow has been dumped on Kamchatka. Russian media says the peninsula has now seen its biggest snowfall of the 21st century, with drifts reaching up to the 4th floor of buildings. (sorry for the music).

57,781 次观看 • 4 个月前

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev says Russia-EU relations have passed the point of no return: “There’s no one to talk to, and nothing to talk about.”

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev says Russia-EU relations have passed the point of no return: “There’s no one to talk to, and nothing to talk about.”

136,915 次观看 • 1 年前

Speaking in Moscow earlier today, Putin argued that Russia’s relations with Western Europe did not collapse suddenly, but eroded steadily over decades (my translation): "We were never truly accepted into that so-called 'family.' Do you see the point? We were never treated as an equal member. Not for a second. "On the contrary, Russia was constantly being squeezed from all sides. Harder and harder every year. Almost everything concerning Russia was decided from a position of strength. "They’d pat us on the back, invite us to summits and ceremonies, smile for the cameras. But when it came to real interests, the West pushed its agenda on Russia through pressure and force."

Speaking in Moscow earlier today, Putin argued that Russia’s relations with Western Europe did not collapse suddenly, but eroded steadily over decades (my translation): "We were never truly accepted into that so-called 'family.' Do you see the point? We were never treated as an equal member. Not for a second. "On the contrary, Russia was constantly being squeezed from all sides. Harder and harder every year. Almost everything concerning Russia was decided from a position of strength. "They’d pat us on the back, invite us to summits and ceremonies, smile for the cameras. But when it came to real interests, the West pushed its agenda on Russia through pressure and force."

62,396 次观看 • 5 个月前

Putin has signaled a fresh drive to tackle Russia’s notoriously huge black economy, telling officials that “nothing must slip into the shadows” and insisting businesses “work legally” so “revenues flow into the budget.”

Putin has signaled a fresh drive to tackle Russia’s notoriously huge black economy, telling officials that “nothing must slip into the shadows” and insisting businesses “work legally” so “revenues flow into the budget.”

61,411 次观看 • 6 个月前

Putin takes a swipe at both the USSR and the US: “A nation that respects its own tradition, as a rule, does not encroach on the traditions of others. The Soviet Union once erred by imposing its system. Today, the United States has taken up that baton.”

Putin takes a swipe at both the USSR and the US: “A nation that respects its own tradition, as a rule, does not encroach on the traditions of others. The Soviet Union once erred by imposing its system. Today, the United States has taken up that baton.”

77,877 次观看 • 8 个月前

Russia has just successfully launched a Proton-M rocket carrying the Elektro-L satellite from Baikonur. Officially, it’s for 24/7 weather monitoring from geostationary orbit. That makes four Russian weather satellites now watching the planet nonstop. Purely meteorological, of course. Just clouds, storms… and absolutely nothing else to see up there.

Russia has just successfully launched a Proton-M rocket carrying the Elektro-L satellite from Baikonur. Officially, it’s for 24/7 weather monitoring from geostationary orbit. That makes four Russian weather satellites now watching the planet nonstop. Purely meteorological, of course. Just clouds, storms… and absolutely nothing else to see up there.

37,623 次观看 • 3 个月前

Putin and Tokayev have just signed a declaration upgrading Russia–Kazakhstan ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. The timing is… interesting, to say the least.

Putin and Tokayev have just signed a declaration upgrading Russia–Kazakhstan ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. The timing is… interesting, to say the least.

59,575 次观看 • 6 个月前

Putin speaking earlier today on the current state of Russia's economy, at a VTB Bank event in Moscow [my translation]: "Growth has definitely slowed down. In the first nine months of the year, Russia’s GDP went up by just 1%, [and it was] only 0.6% in the third quarter. The full-year number will probably land somewhere between 0.5% and 1%. But honestly, this is more or less what we expected. Back when the Central Bank hiked rates and the government rolled out its measures [to prevent the economy over-heating and stabilize the ruble], we said straight away that the goal was a soft landing."

Putin speaking earlier today on the current state of Russia's economy, at a VTB Bank event in Moscow [my translation]: "Growth has definitely slowed down. In the first nine months of the year, Russia’s GDP went up by just 1%, [and it was] only 0.6% in the third quarter. The full-year number will probably land somewhere between 0.5% and 1%. But honestly, this is more or less what we expected. Back when the Central Bank hiked rates and the government rolled out its measures [to prevent the economy over-heating and stabilize the ruble], we said straight away that the goal was a soft landing."

54,495 次观看 • 6 个月前