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Brian McDonald

@BrianMcDonaldIE • 28,961 subscribers

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

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Erling Haaland’s “twin sister” is now everywhere on Russian social media. Anastasia Kostromitina, from Moscow, leaned into the joke with good comic timing and has turned the resemblance into properly viral content. Hundreds of millions of views, and counting.

Erling Haaland’s “twin sister” is now everywhere on Russian social media. Anastasia Kostromitina, from Moscow, leaned into the joke with good comic timing and has turned the resemblance into properly viral content. Hundreds of millions of views, and counting.

1,837,854 Aufrufe

US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have touched down in Moscow, per TASS. They will meet Putin today and tomorrow meet Zelensky in Kiev carrying “a proposal to end the war,” according to Trump. Video shows Kremlin aide Kirill Dmitriev arriving at Vnukovo.

US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have touched down in Moscow, per TASS. They will meet Putin today and tomorrow meet Zelensky in Kiev carrying “a proposal to end the war,” according to Trump. Video shows Kremlin aide Kirill Dmitriev arriving at Vnukovo.

23,491 Aufrufe

Putin has arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit, just days after Trump’s China trip. He was greeted at the aircraft stairs by China’s foreign minister, a guard of honor, and children chanting welcome greetings in Chinese.

Putin has arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit, just days after Trump’s China trip. He was greeted at the aircraft stairs by China’s foreign minister, a guard of honor, and children chanting welcome greetings in Chinese.

2,605,341 Aufrufe

A viral track repeating just two words,“Yanis Varoufakis,” is spreading across Russia's clubland. Created by a Moscow DJ, the tune has taken off among zoomers, with critics linking its appeal to a revival of 90s/early 2000s techno. The irony is that most listeners likely have no idea who Yanis Varoufakis is, they just like the rhythm of the name.

A viral track repeating just two words,“Yanis Varoufakis,” is spreading across Russia's clubland. Created by a Moscow DJ, the tune has taken off among zoomers, with critics linking its appeal to a revival of 90s/early 2000s techno. The irony is that most listeners likely have no idea who Yanis Varoufakis is, they just like the rhythm of the name.

1,357,759 Aufrufe

Moscow has a bar called Zionist. The drinks are clearly priced, but whether the settlements are on the house remains unclear.

Moscow has a bar called Zionist. The drinks are clearly priced, but whether the settlements are on the house remains unclear.

51,426 Aufrufe

Russian erotic content creator Sonya Marmeladova has walked free, and had her handcuffs and vibrator returned to her, after receiving a three-year suspended sentence for distributing pornography through paid Telegram channels, per Baza. The Moscow court also ordered the confiscation of $61,500 and an iPhone 16 Pro Max, but did allow her to keep a leather harness and a butt plug, in addition to the aforementioned.

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Russian erotic content creator Sonya Marmeladova has walked free, and had her handcuffs and vibrator returned to her, after receiving a three-year suspended sentence for distributing pornography through paid Telegram channels, per Baza. The Moscow court also ordered the confiscation of $61,500 and an iPhone 16 Pro Max, but did allow her to keep a leather harness and a butt plug, in addition to the aforementioned.

182,560 Aufrufe

Journalist: “So right now we basically have two allies, North Korea and Iran. And everyone’s asking, how did we get to this point? How did we end up in this kind of company?” Sergey Lavrov: “What’s wrong with the company?”

Journalist: “So right now we basically have two allies, North Korea and Iran. And everyone’s asking, how did we get to this point? How did we end up in this kind of company?” Sergey Lavrov: “What’s wrong with the company?”

32,503 Aufrufe

A meme doing the rounds in Russia shows the country mysteriously dropping from #1 to outside Europe’s top 10 for internet users. The explanation? VPNs.

A meme doing the rounds in Russia shows the country mysteriously dropping from #1 to outside Europe’s top 10 for internet users. The explanation? VPNs.

472,730 Aufrufe

In Russia's Lipetsk region, revellers have burned a giant Labubu doll as the climax of the Maslenitsa holiday festivities. Each year they burn pop-culture figures that supposedly “embody evil.” Past victims include Voldemort, Venom, Freddy Krueger and Huggy Wuggy.

In Russia's Lipetsk region, revellers have burned a giant Labubu doll as the climax of the Maslenitsa holiday festivities. Each year they burn pop-culture figures that supposedly “embody evil.” Past victims include Voldemort, Venom, Freddy Krueger and Huggy Wuggy.

636,697 Aufrufe

The creators of Masha and the Bear have issued an official appeal to British MPs, after the cartoon was accused of being Kremlin “soft power” and hidden propaganda. “British deputies, there has been a terrible misunderstanding,” Masha says, in character.. “We're not soft power, and certainly not a Kremlin propaganda tool. We are just an ordinary commercial cartoon about friendship and looking out for one another. ” “Honestly, honestly.” The statement ends: “Oops. Oh well, we weren’t that bothered anyway.”

The creators of Masha and the Bear have issued an official appeal to British MPs, after the cartoon was accused of being Kremlin “soft power” and hidden propaganda. “British deputies, there has been a terrible misunderstanding,” Masha says, in character.. “We're not soft power, and certainly not a Kremlin propaganda tool. We are just an ordinary commercial cartoon about friendship and looking out for one another. ” “Honestly, honestly.” The statement ends: “Oops. Oh well, we weren’t that bothered anyway.”

204,150 Aufrufe

Angelina Melnikova, who was originally denied a Croatian visa before the decision was reversed, has won her second gold medal at the European Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb. The Russian gymnast was visibly emotional during the medal ceremony and was unable to hold back tears. Melnikova was one of four Russian gymnasts eventually granted visas after initially being refused entry, while five other members of the Russian delegation remain unable to attend. The Russians, who have so far won more gold medals at the event than the rest of Europe combined, are competing under neutral status, meaning the Russian flag isn't displayed and their national anthem wasn't played at the medal ceremonies.

Angelina Melnikova, who was originally denied a Croatian visa before the decision was reversed, has won her second gold medal at the European Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb. The Russian gymnast was visibly emotional during the medal ceremony and was unable to hold back tears. Melnikova was one of four Russian gymnasts eventually granted visas after initially being refused entry, while five other members of the Russian delegation remain unable to attend. The Russians, who have so far won more gold medals at the event than the rest of Europe combined, are competing under neutral status, meaning the Russian flag isn't displayed and their national anthem wasn't played at the medal ceremonies.

65,048 Aufrufe

In Russia’s remote Yakutia, parts of the taiga are literally collapsing into the ground as underground ice melts. As the permafrost thaws, the soil loses stability and gives way, creating enormous sinkholes that swallow trees and entire sections of forest. The process is known as thermokarst and as temperatures gradually rise and permafrost continues to degrade, such collapses can expand dramatically and permanently reshape the landscape.

In Russia’s remote Yakutia, parts of the taiga are literally collapsing into the ground as underground ice melts. As the permafrost thaws, the soil loses stability and gives way, creating enormous sinkholes that swallow trees and entire sections of forest. The process is known as thermokarst and as temperatures gradually rise and permafrost continues to degrade, such collapses can expand dramatically and permanently reshape the landscape.

72,702 Aufrufe

Russia’s most popular song of 2025 isn’t in Russian (or English). It’s in Bashkir, a Turkic language of the Urals. The track? “Homay” by Ay Yola.

Russia’s most popular song of 2025 isn’t in Russian (or English). It’s in Bashkir, a Turkic language of the Urals. The track? “Homay” by Ay Yola.

835,561 Aufrufe

Meanwhile, Dubai seems to be deploying its most effective asset in the information war: Instagram influencers. The same glossy videos are suddenly everywhere. Different languages, but almost identical reels, boasting about how they feel safe under Sheikh Mohammed's protection.

Meanwhile, Dubai seems to be deploying its most effective asset in the information war: Instagram influencers. The same glossy videos are suddenly everywhere. Different languages, but almost identical reels, boasting about how they feel safe under Sheikh Mohammed's protection.

436,677 Aufrufe

Serbian police have arrested a Turkish man after the dismembered remains of a 27-year-old Russian woman were found inside a suitcase near Belgrade, SHOT reports. The victim, Lyudmila from St. Petersburg, was last heard from on the night of July 25, when she told relatives she was heading to a nightclub in the Palilula district. According to SHOT, the 25-year-old suspect allegedly killed her, dismembered her body and later tried to dispose of the remains. He was detained at Belgrade Airport as he reportedly attempted to flee to Turkey. The suitcase was located by a police dog.

Serbian police have arrested a Turkish man after the dismembered remains of a 27-year-old Russian woman were found inside a suitcase near Belgrade, SHOT reports. The victim, Lyudmila from St. Petersburg, was last heard from on the night of July 25, when she told relatives she was heading to a nightclub in the Palilula district. According to SHOT, the 25-year-old suspect allegedly killed her, dismembered her body and later tried to dispose of the remains. He was detained at Belgrade Airport as he reportedly attempted to flee to Turkey. The suitcase was located by a police dog.

74,776 Aufrufe

Putin asked how Moscow will respond if US Tomahawk missiles strike Russia: "This is an attempt at escalation, but if strikes with such weapons are carried out on Russian territory, the response will be very serious, if not downright devastating. Let them think about that"

Putin asked how Moscow will respond if US Tomahawk missiles strike Russia: "This is an attempt at escalation, but if strikes with such weapons are carried out on Russian territory, the response will be very serious, if not downright devastating. Let them think about that"

500,865 Aufrufe

JUST IN: Russia’s Supreme Court has removed the pro-Western liberal Yabloko party from next month's State Duma election, granting a lawsuit brought by the ultra-nationalist Rodina party. The court found that Yabloko had violated intellectual-property rules in campaign material. According to the Central Election Commission, an interview with party co-founder Grigory Yavlinsky titled “how to vote for a ceasefire” counted as election campaigning, and the party failed to prove it had permission to use lyrics from the song Let There Always Be Sunshine, political party emblems, images of Dmitry Medvedev and Viktoria Bonya, and footage from Sergei Bondarchuk’s War and Peace. Yabloko leader Nikolai Rybakov called the decision a blow to Russia’s political system and parliamentary elections, saying the party intended to remain in Russia and continue defending its position, per Kommersant.

JUST IN: Russia’s Supreme Court has removed the pro-Western liberal Yabloko party from next month's State Duma election, granting a lawsuit brought by the ultra-nationalist Rodina party. The court found that Yabloko had violated intellectual-property rules in campaign material. According to the Central Election Commission, an interview with party co-founder Grigory Yavlinsky titled “how to vote for a ceasefire” counted as election campaigning, and the party failed to prove it had permission to use lyrics from the song Let There Always Be Sunshine, political party emblems, images of Dmitry Medvedev and Viktoria Bonya, and footage from Sergei Bondarchuk’s War and Peace. Yabloko leader Nikolai Rybakov called the decision a blow to Russia’s political system and parliamentary elections, saying the party intended to remain in Russia and continue defending its position, per Kommersant.

42,258 Aufrufe

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.

327,830 Aufrufe

A noticeably young, albeit relatively small, crowd chants “shame!” after Yabloko was removed from next month’s State Duma election today. The party still has the right to appeal, and leader Nikolai Rybakov says it will. One suspects we haven’t heard the end of this, and, significantly, the ruling hasn't yet entered into legal force.

A noticeably young, albeit relatively small, crowd chants “shame!” after Yabloko was removed from next month’s State Duma election today. The party still has the right to appeal, and leader Nikolai Rybakov says it will. One suspects we haven’t heard the end of this, and, significantly, the ruling hasn't yet entered into legal force.

29,816 Aufrufe

Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee says a woman was attempting to carry a bomb into the Balzi Rossi restaurant when the device exploded. According to officials, a security guard stopped her from entering. Both the woman and the guard were killed, along with one restaurant guest.

Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee says a woman was attempting to carry a bomb into the Balzi Rossi restaurant when the device exploded. According to officials, a security guard stopped her from entering. Both the woman and the guard were killed, along with one restaurant guest.

33,684 Aufrufe

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A “horror” wedding video from 1995 has gone viral in Russia after a filmmaker discovered the old VHS tape and digitised it. The footage shows a modest wedding celebration held in the common room of a vocational school in the Moscow region, complete with Soviet-era posters, cheap decorations and the unmistakable atmosphere of the Yeltsin-era. The tape has been labelled “Horror Film: Wedding in Uvarka,” a joke that feels oddly appropriate given the grainy VHS quality and surreal surroundings.

A “horror” wedding video from 1995 has gone viral in Russia after a filmmaker discovered the old VHS tape and digitised it. The footage shows a modest wedding celebration held in the common room of a vocational school in the Moscow region, complete with Soviet-era posters, cheap decorations and the unmistakable atmosphere of the Yeltsin-era. The tape has been labelled “Horror Film: Wedding in Uvarka,” a joke that feels oddly appropriate given the grainy VHS quality and surreal surroundings.

2,398,819 Aufrufe • vor 24 Tagen

Putin has met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing Turkey as one of Russia’s “privileged partners” in both foreign policy and the economy. The Russian president said major joint projects were continuing, including the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, and told Erdogan that Rosatom would meet his request to launch it this year.

Putin has met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing Turkey as one of Russia’s “privileged partners” in both foreign policy and the economy. The Russian president said major joint projects were continuing, including the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, and told Erdogan that Rosatom would meet his request to launch it this year.

223,153 Aufrufe • vor 4 Tagen

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told reporters not to “get ahead of ourselves,” adding that Trump has made clear US negotiators aren't bringing “new ideas” to Moscow. “The meeting with the president will indeed take place,” Peskov said. “There will be discussions, ass a rule, previous talks have been fairly lengthy.” He also confirmed that Putin had ordered Russian forces to halt strikes on Kyiv for three days, saying “this is connected with the preparation for and holding of the Americans’ meetings in Kiev.” Asked why the US delegation was in Moscow first rather than Kiev, Peskov replied: “That's something you should ask the negotiators in Washington.”

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told reporters not to “get ahead of ourselves,” adding that Trump has made clear US negotiators aren't bringing “new ideas” to Moscow. “The meeting with the president will indeed take place,” Peskov said. “There will be discussions, ass a rule, previous talks have been fairly lengthy.” He also confirmed that Putin had ordered Russian forces to halt strikes on Kyiv for three days, saying “this is connected with the preparation for and holding of the Americans’ meetings in Kiev.” Asked why the US delegation was in Moscow first rather than Kiev, Peskov replied: “That's something you should ask the negotiators in Washington.”

39,722 Aufrufe • vor 14 Stunden

Putin has publicly told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Armenia’s decision to begin the process of joining the EU effectively amounts to announcing its departure from the Eurasian Economic Union. “You said that you hadn't announced your withdrawal,” Putin told Pashinyan. “The adoption of a law beginning the process of joining another economic organisation effectively amounts to announcing your withdrawal from ours, because membership in both organisations is incompatible.”

Putin has publicly told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Armenia’s decision to begin the process of joining the EU effectively amounts to announcing its departure from the Eurasian Economic Union. “You said that you hadn't announced your withdrawal,” Putin told Pashinyan. “The adoption of a law beginning the process of joining another economic organisation effectively amounts to announcing your withdrawal from ours, because membership in both organisations is incompatible.”

169,762 Aufrufe • vor 4 Tagen

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot claims that “Russia is weak” and is now in “serious difficulty,” pointing to fuel shortages and economic problems. “Have you seen the state Russia is in today? There are fuel shortages across the country. The economy is at rock bottom,” Barrot said. Barrot also accused Moscow of trying to conceal those setbacks through “aggressive provocations” against EU states, including the incident at Leipzig airport. “The truth is that Russia is the one in serious difficulty, and it would be very much in its interest to bring this war to an end,” he said.

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot claims that “Russia is weak” and is now in “serious difficulty,” pointing to fuel shortages and economic problems. “Have you seen the state Russia is in today? There are fuel shortages across the country. The economy is at rock bottom,” Barrot said. Barrot also accused Moscow of trying to conceal those setbacks through “aggressive provocations” against EU states, including the incident at Leipzig airport. “The truth is that Russia is the one in serious difficulty, and it would be very much in its interest to bring this war to an end,” he said.

24,998 Aufrufe • vor 16 Stunden

Those afraid of heights, look away. A base jumper in Russia’s Ingushetia lost control almost immediately after opening his parachute, was spun through the air and carried towards the rocks. Convinced he was finished, he shouted: “That’s it, I’m f*cked.” He was saved by landing in a snowdrift and escaped without injury.

Those afraid of heights, look away. A base jumper in Russia’s Ingushetia lost control almost immediately after opening his parachute, was spun through the air and carried towards the rocks. Convinced he was finished, he shouted: “That’s it, I’m f*cked.” He was saved by landing in a snowdrift and escaped without injury.

1,009,044 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Porn creator Sonya Marmeladova struggled to keep a straight face as a Russian judge read out the list of sex toys to be returned to her after sentencing, this morning. “A leatherette collar resembling a choker, connected by a silver-coloured metal chain; one pink vibrator; three phallus-shaped objects in brown, beige and flesh colours respectively; one blue anal plug; and one black leather harness… shall be deemed returned.”

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Porn creator Sonya Marmeladova struggled to keep a straight face as a Russian judge read out the list of sex toys to be returned to her after sentencing, this morning. “A leatherette collar resembling a choker, connected by a silver-coloured metal chain; one pink vibrator; three phallus-shaped objects in brown, beige and flesh colours respectively; one blue anal plug; and one black leather harness… shall be deemed returned.”

931,063 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

The Strokes used their Coachella set to show CIA coups and Gaza footage. They’ll probably never be invited back, and they knew it.

The Strokes used their Coachella set to show CIA coups and Gaza footage. They’ll probably never be invited back, and they knew it.

4,203,088 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Russian media is noting that Putin appears to have received a higher-level airport reception in Beijing than Trump did last week. Putin was personally greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a serving Politburo member, whereas Trump was met by Vice President Han Zheng, who no longer sits on either the Politburo or the Communist Party’s Central Committee. Some Chinese protocol analysts explain that sending a Politburo member to the airport signals that Beijing considers the visitor an especially important guest.

Russian media is noting that Putin appears to have received a higher-level airport reception in Beijing than Trump did last week. Putin was personally greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a serving Politburo member, whereas Trump was met by Vice President Han Zheng, who no longer sits on either the Politburo or the Communist Party’s Central Committee. Some Chinese protocol analysts explain that sending a Politburo member to the airport signals that Beijing considers the visitor an especially important guest.

2,651,098 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

It seems the crackdown on Russia-adjacent porn content has reached the United States. Nikita Tyukalo, a 21-year-old Russian-American former basketball player, has pleaded not guilty in Washington state to four counts of second-degree human trafficking and leading organised crime. According to FOX 13 Seattle, prosecutors allege that Tyukalo recruited young women to produce adult content while controlling their accounts and finances. KOMO News reports that the alleged operation was based at a luxury mansion in Bellevue known locally as the “OnlyFans house,” while KING 5 says he is being held on $5 million bail.

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It seems the crackdown on Russia-adjacent porn content has reached the United States. Nikita Tyukalo, a 21-year-old Russian-American former basketball player, has pleaded not guilty in Washington state to four counts of second-degree human trafficking and leading organised crime. According to FOX 13 Seattle, prosecutors allege that Tyukalo recruited young women to produce adult content while controlling their accounts and finances. KOMO News reports that the alleged operation was based at a luxury mansion in Bellevue known locally as the “OnlyFans house,” while KING 5 says he is being held on $5 million bail.

659,449 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Russian TV has broadcast footage of Putin driving himself through central Moscow in a Russian Aurus SUV to pick up his former schoolteacher Vera Gurevich and bring her to a dinner at the presidential residence after Victory Day events.

Russian TV has broadcast footage of Putin driving himself through central Moscow in a Russian Aurus SUV to pick up his former schoolteacher Vera Gurevich and bring her to a dinner at the presidential residence after Victory Day events.

2,090,075 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Horrifying scene in Russia's Voronezh: a drunk father reportedly lowered his underage son from a 7th-floor balcony on a rope as some kind of “stunt” while friends filmed instead of stopping him. Prosecutors say it posed a real threat to the boy’s life. Police are investigating. The child, incredibly, wasn’t physically hurt.

Horrifying scene in Russia's Voronezh: a drunk father reportedly lowered his underage son from a 7th-floor balcony on a rope as some kind of “stunt” while friends filmed instead of stopping him. Prosecutors say it posed a real threat to the boy’s life. Police are investigating. The child, incredibly, wasn’t physically hurt.

4,031,215 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Throwback to March 2018, when Germany accidentally played the Soviet anthem before a rugby match against Russia. The Russian players looked baffled for a few seconds, then started singing along. Russia won 57–3.

Throwback to March 2018, when Germany accidentally played the Soviet anthem before a rugby match against Russia. The Russian players looked baffled for a few seconds, then started singing along. Russia won 57–3.

98,777 Aufrufe • vor 7 Tagen

Footage of the newly unveiled monument in Khabarovsk, giving a sense of its scale and its prominent position overlooking the Amur River. Subtle, it ain't.

Footage of the newly unveiled monument in Khabarovsk, giving a sense of its scale and its prominent position overlooking the Amur River. Subtle, it ain't.

11,147 Aufrufe • vor 11 Stunden

Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who died in 2022, warned more than a decade ago that the US would eventually strike Iran and predicted a fallout far bigger than Washington expects (my translation): "I’m the only one making predictions while everyone else stays quiet. So ask your questions now. I’ll be gone soon, and you won’t get another chance to hear the real answers. Then in 20 years you’ll say, 'You know, Mr Zhirinovsky was already telling us back then what we should’ve done, and we didn’t listen?' "So what’s their plan? Occupy another bunch of Arab countries, finish off Syria, then hit Iran by force. What’s the trigger here? Where is the pressure on Iran really coming from? It's under the banner of 'democratisation by force,' but in reality it’s about taking control of energy resources. Because the crisis everyone talks about as being in the future is already here." "The US needs to weaken China. If Iran is attacked, oil goes to $200 a barrel. China can’t handle that. The EU can’t either. One strike on Iran weakens both Europe and China at once. But then there’s Russia. How do you weaken Russia? Iranian refugees can only go one way [and that's] north. To the south is Syria, where a pro-American regime would already be in place. To the south is Iraq, where they’ve been fighting for years and can easily stir things up again. So north it is, through Azerbaijan."

Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who died in 2022, warned more than a decade ago that the US would eventually strike Iran and predicted a fallout far bigger than Washington expects (my translation): "I’m the only one making predictions while everyone else stays quiet. So ask your questions now. I’ll be gone soon, and you won’t get another chance to hear the real answers. Then in 20 years you’ll say, 'You know, Mr Zhirinovsky was already telling us back then what we should’ve done, and we didn’t listen?' "So what’s their plan? Occupy another bunch of Arab countries, finish off Syria, then hit Iran by force. What’s the trigger here? Where is the pressure on Iran really coming from? It's under the banner of 'democratisation by force,' but in reality it’s about taking control of energy resources. Because the crisis everyone talks about as being in the future is already here." "The US needs to weaken China. If Iran is attacked, oil goes to $200 a barrel. China can’t handle that. The EU can’t either. One strike on Iran weakens both Europe and China at once. But then there’s Russia. How do you weaken Russia? Iranian refugees can only go one way [and that's] north. To the south is Syria, where a pro-American regime would already be in place. To the south is Iraq, where they’ve been fighting for years and can easily stir things up again. So north it is, through Azerbaijan."

2,394,101 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Norway has impounded the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard at the request of Ukraine’s Naftogaz, Interfax reports. The Nord-Troms District Court ordered the seizure on August 31 as part of Naftogaz’s efforts to recover compensation for assets it lost in Crimea in 2014. The vessel, whose home port is Arkhangelsk, has been ordered to remain in Barentsburg until further notice. Since June 2025, it has operated regular cargo and passenger services between Murmansk and Barentsburg.

Norway has impounded the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard at the request of Ukraine’s Naftogaz, Interfax reports. The Nord-Troms District Court ordered the seizure on August 31 as part of Naftogaz’s efforts to recover compensation for assets it lost in Crimea in 2014. The vessel, whose home port is Arkhangelsk, has been ordered to remain in Barentsburg until further notice. Since June 2025, it has operated regular cargo and passenger services between Murmansk and Barentsburg.

31,271 Aufrufe • vor 2 Tagen

A surreal scene from St Petersburg: a Russian police officer briefly kept playing the VR game Beat Saber while his colleagues arrested a young Belarusian wanted back home for avoiding military conscription, 47news reports. The man was celebrating his birthday with friends. Staff say police had already come looking for him twice before.

A surreal scene from St Petersburg: a Russian police officer briefly kept playing the VR game Beat Saber while his colleagues arrested a young Belarusian wanted back home for avoiding military conscription, 47news reports. The man was celebrating his birthday with friends. Staff say police had already come looking for him twice before.

1,704,407 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Sergey Lavrov says Russia must stop being surprised when other countries deceive it. “We still hear the same reaction ‘we have been deceived again,’ [but] why do we continue to expect not to be deceived? How many more times can we fall for it?” “There remains a certain hope that surely a scoundrel cannot be a complete scoundrel,” he said. “But deception is the foundation of diplomacy.”

Sergey Lavrov says Russia must stop being surprised when other countries deceive it. “We still hear the same reaction ‘we have been deceived again,’ [but] why do we continue to expect not to be deceived? How many more times can we fall for it?” “There remains a certain hope that surely a scoundrel cannot be a complete scoundrel,” he said. “But deception is the foundation of diplomacy.”

68,503 Aufrufe • vor 8 Tagen

A guy from Yekaterinburg has gone viral in Russia after waking up following a night out and discovering he was travelling to Siberia's Tyumen inside a freight train wagon full of coal. Still half-asleep and clearly horrified, he still found the professionalism to send his colleague a video message first explaining that he probably wouldn’t make it into work that day.

A guy from Yekaterinburg has gone viral in Russia after waking up following a night out and discovering he was travelling to Siberia's Tyumen inside a freight train wagon full of coal. Still half-asleep and clearly horrified, he still found the professionalism to send his colleague a video message first explaining that he probably wouldn’t make it into work that day.

983,880 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

North Korean street cleaners are too expensive, says the mayor of Russia's Orenburg. The city has been hiring workers from Senegal since spring because locals don’t want the job on the city’s terms of about $730 a month, a six-day week and a one-hour lunch break. Mayor Albert Yumadilov says he's happy with the Senegalese workers because they are willing to do hard work even at weekends. He added that the city tried last year to bring in North Korean workers, but failed because North Koreans would not come for $730 a month. According to him, they earn two to three times more, roughly $1,460 to $2,200 a month, in other Russian regions that have agreements with Pyongyang.

North Korean street cleaners are too expensive, says the mayor of Russia's Orenburg. The city has been hiring workers from Senegal since spring because locals don’t want the job on the city’s terms of about $730 a month, a six-day week and a one-hour lunch break. Mayor Albert Yumadilov says he's happy with the Senegalese workers because they are willing to do hard work even at weekends. He added that the city tried last year to bring in North Korean workers, but failed because North Koreans would not come for $730 a month. According to him, they earn two to three times more, roughly $1,460 to $2,200 a month, in other Russian regions that have agreements with Pyongyang.

454,279 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat