1+ day, 7+ hour ago   (519+ words) On August 22, the independent Russian news outlet Meduza reported that the governor of Oryol Oblast urged residents to report "[those that] have an accent" to the FSB, Russia's internal security service. The official issued the command amid threats of possible…...

2+ day, 6+ hour ago   (371+ words) A Moscow summer festival hosted a bizarre program that combined cats, magic, and pro-war propaganda. It is all just the latest wrinkle in Russia's metastasizing "patriotic education" programs. Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich…...

3+ day, 5+ hour ago   (449+ words) Four teachers in the Moscow region were injured following the unintended explosion of a stun grenade in their school, reports independent outlet Govorit Nemoskva. At the time of the incident on August 18, the school was participating in nationwide counter-terrorism training…...

4+ day, 6+ hour ago   (550+ words) In typical Soviet fashion, Russian authorities have cranked up the pressure on Russian citizens who have left the country, threatening to strip them of their assets and citizenship. The advice to Russians who think they may be targeted is to…...

5+ day, 7+ hour ago   (414+ words) According to Yakutia.info, the local Supreme Court has upheld the order for opposition activist Alexander Gabyshev to undergo compulsory treatment, rejecting an appeal. Gabyshev is a native of Yakutia, where shamanism is widespread among indigenous peoples. He calls himself…...

1+ week, 6+ hour ago   (380+ words) Competition is fierce for the Gorno-Altaysk State University's newest class: drone piloting. Only about half of those who applied were enrolled in one of 75 open seats. With such strong interest in drone piloting, Head of the Altai Republic Andrey Turchak…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (613+ words) On August 14, the news site RBK reported that banks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus have increased by up to 15% their commission on non-residents' deposits enumerated in rubles. According to the publication, the restrictions were imposed after a sudden influx of…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago   (343+ words) Per the article, the five-course "Dinner-Lecture" began with sparkling wine, cranberry punch, and crab salad, reminiscent of the "prosperity and optimism of the late 1930s." From there, the fare deteriorated, reflecting conditions in the war-torn city: for instance, runny mamaliga (polenta)…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (593+ words) A full-blown pre-election scandal erupted suddenly in Russia, leaving the sole mainstream anti-war party unable to participate in this year's elections. The story involves the democratic party “Yabloko” ("Apple"), which emerged in the 1990s. Although its historic leader, Grigory Yavlinsky, has…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (431+ words) If you like to read with your ears, catch this episode of the Times' Daily podcast, in which the author talks sources and methods. A great listen. Best quote from the author: "Japan has been known for years as a…...