Posts - TWERF Summaries

The Nose Knows

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Dancing noses, we have dancing noses, people! This week's video of the week is courtesy of Gogol, Shostakovich, and The Royal Opera.

Statistics Highlight Vodka Hotspots

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Curious about vodka stats? Russia's Research Center for the Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets has you covered.

Russian Bears, Language, and Tomato Paste

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Bear with us: this week's Odder News lacks a theme. Instead, we have tomato paste, emotion workshops, and Russian pandas.

Do Russians Dream of Electric Sheep?

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 06:00:00 GMT

A study finds that the majority of Russians don't understand AI, just like the rest of us.

The Motherland Calls... Reenactors

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Military reenactors mark the 76th anniversary of the lifting of the siege of Leningrad with plenty of pyrotechnics.

Big Banks Are Watching You

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Russian banks to start testing biometric ATMs. This is probably a good idea.

Prime Amazons Uncovered in Russia

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Russia has everything, including Amazonians.

How to Become a Millionaire: Go Postal

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 06:00:00 GMT

The Russian Postal Service made more than 170 millionaires in 2019.

Talk about Inflation!

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 06:00:00 GMT

You won't believe how much a woman in Chelyabinsk is asking for her 1000R bill.

Best of The Russia File 2019

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 15:30:00 GMT

We re-share some of our favorite stories from 2019. They may not be the most noteworthy or newsworthy stories, but we felt they were the most fun.

Tik-Tok Goes the Progress Clock

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Political entities and 97-year-old veterans on social media, transgender marriage, and sushi at office parties show Russia is ready for 2020

Exorcising the Spirit of Upside-Down Christmas

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:30:00 GMT

Ded Moroz and kindergarten parents conceive of the Christmas spirit very differently. Also, Russians may have domesticated the first dog.

"Yo" is for Yolka

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Pie not in the sky, vampires against anti-vaxxers, cooks for cats… not to mention self-improvement in advance of the New Year

Dumbledovich and the Chamber of Bovine Distractions

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 17:30:00 GMT

Russia is a little out of touch with reality this week: gates lead to nowhere, cows get VR, and bankers think the economy is like Harry Potter.

Ice, Ice, Baby Tigers

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 06:00:00 GMT

A cold flag, a resolved cold case, and the not-cold-at-all hearts of Russian children

Baggage Bros, Covert Crimea, and Brezhnev's Crimes

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:30:00 GMT

Brezhnev’s traffic ticket goes on sale, Crimea shows up in Astrakhan, and a man gives an all for his cat.

Tis the Season for Pickled Ferns and Ice Cream

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Fish aren’t food, ice cream is medicine, ferns are pickles

"Eagles These Days Text Too Much," Said Putin (Or Did He?)

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:00:00 GMT

This week, eagles rack up data bills while Putin pontificates about AI and a restaurant operator starts Meatless Mondays.

Raining Cats and Hot Dogs

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Psychic cats and patented tools are priceless. Hot dogs cost 39 rubles.

Things to Avoid After Drinking Vodka

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 14:30:00 GMT

Fall starts on a harmonious note, Putin’s meeting with the Saudis — not so much. Also, happy birthday to vodka!

To and From Russia with Love

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Russians send the Night’s Watch to New Jersey and bottles to Brazil; they welcome a Swedish girl to speak and immigrants to share their imya (name).

Beer, Balloons, and (GMO) Babies

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 14:30:00 GMT

Can samogon predict recessions? Can a balloon seduce Elon Musk? And can Putin grow babies in labs? Find out this and more in this week’s TWERF.

Save Russia by Air, Land and Sea!

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Defense against walruses, shamans and climate change

Bus Parades, Pumpkin Beheadings, and Other Dumb Ways to Die

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:30:00 GMT

While city vehicles go for a stroll, death comes knocking — twice.

Homecoming to Mother Russia

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Russian women: give birth in Syrian prisons, drive metro trains, make news (and borsch), and welcome children home from the dead.

Cosmic Robots, Cosmonaut Rituals, and Classrooms Resplendent

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:30:00 GMT

There are two kinds of fast learners: robots and schoolchildren. Meanwhile, an odd cosmonaut tradition comes under siege.

Summer Fun for All Faiths and All Ages

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Presidents eating ice cream, kids reporting toy theft to police… summer is almost over, thank Allah.

Come Hell or High Horses, Let's Save This Plane!

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 16:01:00 GMT

A former lawyer saves 233 lives, and a guy finds hell in Yaroslavl. Also, your next delivery guy might deliver on horseback.

A Legal Message in a Bottle

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Suing Putin (not over the protests) and selling a babushka's jam.

Missing Lakes, Concert Mistakes, and Séances with Darwin

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 14:30:00 GMT

Lakes vanish, free food appears, and a priest speaks to the dead.

The Road to Nowhere

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 05:00:00 GMT

This week, Russians are caught in the act by means of butter, watermelon, and a controversial color

A Cross Wrapped in a Card, Inside a Khinkali

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 14:30:00 GMT

In which Communists hate Georgian food, a cross is accidentally paved over, and the King of Spades rules Russia.

The Illegal and the Unbelievable

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:00:00 GMT

This week’s “criminals”: politicians with dead souls, chocolate Robin Hoods, kid-conductors, and a woman who just wants to go home.

Swipe Me! Eat Me! Watch Me!

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:30:00 GMT

Tinder, fish soup, and wakeboarding — these make both entertaining pastimes and fantastic publicity stunts.

Trolley Drama and Piano Trauma

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 14:30:00 GMT

A funeral for a trolley, a near-funeral for a pianist, and scared birds: all this and more on this week’s TWERF.

Duck, Duck, Owl?

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:30:00 GMT

Predators, prey, and performance artists take the spotlight in this week’s TWERF.

Trolls, Moles, Musk Lol's

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Summer starts with flies, without ice cream

Diving and Driving into Summer Holidays

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:30:00 GMT

There’s lots of ways to have fun, whether it be a patriotic holiday or an “unpatriotic” game.

Opposite Day in the World's Smallest Country

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Ticks are good, good grades are bad, and please, don’t drink the water.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Fire/Lightning?

Thu, 30 May 2019 14:30:00 GMT

An invincible rocket survives lightning, teachers cosplay as Avengers, and a kid plays on a swing.

A Place for Everything

Thu, 23 May 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Sorry, Bulgakov – the devil didn’t come to Moscow this time, but prizes and panties did.

It's an Animal World After All

Thu, 16 May 2019 16:30:00 GMT

This week, we bring you three animal stories: wholesome, funny, and one with a twist.

Victory Over the Past

Thu, 09 May 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Russia remembers the War and recovers from an air tragedy.

The Robots are Having a Whale of a Time

Thu, 02 May 2019 14:30:00 GMT

There are wondrous things under the sea… but don’t get in too deep over your head.

17% of the Earth Day

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Moss, kneeless bears, diamonds, and volunteers (not serfs) are the worth of Russia’s earth.

Do Russian Robots Dream of Electric Ice?

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 07:30:00 GMT

This week’s TWERF will amaze you, amuse you, and possibly give you nightmares.

Come Out and Play

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Defending gay rights, yoga, recycling, and a stress-free childhood. Yes, in Russia.

Naked Facts about Science, Art and Agriculture

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:30:00 GMT

Snow leopards, cannabis, and nudity are trending in Russia.

A Dog and a Muscovite Come In from the Cold

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 15:30:00 GMT

Three things you can find online and in real life: cats, dogs, and video games.

Wailing for Freedom

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMT

What would the world be like without a wee boy, women, or whales in the wild? Definitely worse.

Absence (of Sugar and Corgis) Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Life can be rocky, whether it’s because you can’t see a corgi movie, or because you’re a dead fictional character.

An ode to men, the opposite of old cat ladies

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 06:00:00 GMT

As Russia celebrates men on Defenders of the Fatherland Day, it encourages them to have more sex, for the sake of growing the population of the Fatherland. Just not at work.

Black Snow, Brown Bears, and Sore Losers

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Two bears (Bers) meet very different fates. Meanwhile, black ice gets a whole new meaning.

A Whole New World (of Nuclear Weapons)

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Whether you think INF stands for Instant New Fear or Internationalism Never Falters, this week’s got you covered with both politics and otherworldly events.

Art Theft Made Easy and Pizza vs. the New Cold War

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Whether it’s stealing a favorite painting, living your Russian dream, or feeding your supposed enemy, these Russians channel Nike and Just Do It.

From Fairy Magic to Retirement Planning

Sat, 26 Jan 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Russia's Central Bank believes people's financial illiteracy and economic troubles stem from bad messaging in Russian folk tales. Could it be true?

Mud-slinging and Money-making

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 06:00:00 GMT

This week got a little shifty, with trash sent in packages, a possible tax evasion scheme, and a game retelling a contentious moment in recent Russian history.

The Beauty, the Beast, and the Bumbling Public Official

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 06:00:00 GMT

The post-holiday doldrums must not exist in Russia, where we find stories of hope, change, and a mayor that cares.

Crooks and Crazies this Russian Christmas

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Russian Orthodox Christmas has come and gone, leaving us with all sorts of holiday lunacy.

Out with the Old, in with the Emu

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT

2018 is out, 2019 is in, and even with the holidays, Russian news didn’t stop.

Favorite Stories from 2018

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 06:00:00 GMT

We look back and some of our, and your, favorite stories from The Weekly Russia File during 2018.

Lawmakers versus Troublemakers

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Russian law enforcement had a busy week, from taking on the ~high~ seas to putting rich jerks in their place.

Of Rockets and Ruptures

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Falling objects, family feuds, and friendly felines dominated our attention this week.

Things Look Different Below the Surface

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 16:00:00 GMT

What’s more surprising, fake feminists or fish with bad teeth?

Politics and Technology: And never the twain should meet

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 16:00:00 GMT

To selfie or not to selfie? That is the question, or at least one of the questions, addressed this week.

Ice Age Part 10, Coming Soon to a Russia Near You

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 05:00:00 GMT

The weather in Russia this week was chilly with a hint of thaw, at least regarding science and political relations.

Life, Death, and Pizza

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Climate change is destroying Russia and people still want to duel, but at least someone’s getting free pizza.

A Walk on the Wild Side (of Russia)

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Russia Weekly gets wacky with singing policemen, forbidden emojis, and flying plagues.

The Ancient Past, the Near Future, and a Sheepish Present

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Time got a little bit wibbly-wobbly and timey-wimey as Russia traveled to the future, to the past, and back to the present (and all in one week)!

Skyfalls, Sinking Feelings, and Smitings

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Falling from a Russian sky near you: airplanes, bags of money, and well-timed lightning bolts!

The Dog Days of Summer and the Crazy Things They Bring

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 16:00:00 GMT

This week gives us a plethora of emotions: shame in Samara, excitement in Tomsk, and a bit of both in Moscow.

Crime Doesn't Pay

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 16:00:00 GMT

This is the crime-filled Russia you’ve always heard about, including a cat smuggling drugs and railroad theft.

A Round of Russian Rescues

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Everybody receives a lift, from a stranded hiker, to the planet, to two boys who are actually doing just fine.

Russians in the Dark, One Way or Another

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 16:00:00 GMT

It was a busy week in Russia: another round of pension protests, a pilgrimage for the Romanovs, and oh, the devil is working his magic.

The Plagues of Russia: the Risen Dead, Bees, and Floods

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Shed a tear for our last World Cup TWERF, in which we finally learn about the Romanovs and feel the wrath of nature.

Lost Game, but Newfound Pride

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 16:00:00 GMT

What’s out of this world? Russia’s performance in the World Cup, a Russian cargo ship, and showers in Samara!

That Other Red, White, and Blue

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 16:00:00 GMT

As Americans celebrate their Independence Day, Russia may have gained a new national holiday as well: the day they beat Spain in the World Cup.

Against Some Odds, Still in the Game!

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 16:00:00 GMT

This week Russia lost but isn’t out yet; football fans, amazingly, spread cheer across Russia; and a storm reminds us of the world outside.

Russia Makes Hay in Moscow and Surmounts in St. Petersburg

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Russia wins its first two World Cup games and Jeff Monson is running for CIty Council in Krasnogorsk. Does life get better than this?

The World Cup Whirlwind Begins

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Is it football or soccer? Either way, TWERF prepares for the start of the World Cup by examining Russia’s chances (not great), while still paying attention to a few other stories before the madness begins.

From Their Smile to Their Heartbeat, Everybody's Hiding Something

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 16:00:00 GMT

This week gives everybody a new lease on life, whether in the form of a photo touch up, another platform for Putin, or an actual new life for a “dead” journalist.

Pretty (and Pierced) Pictures, a Brutal Bridge, and a New Hope for Han Solo

Thu, 31 May 2018 16:00:00 GMT

In a galaxy far, far away, the Millennium Falcon circled over a vicious battle with art and a dangerous passageway. That far-off galaxy being Russia, of course.

Monstrous Protests, Mobile Plants, and Too Much Paper

Thu, 10 May 2018 16:00:00 GMT

This week Russians hit the streets, waterways, and air for all sorts of occasions.

A Proliferation of Playful (and Political) Pranks

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Featuring “poisonous” cooking oil, the finest pothole you’ve ever seen, and paper planes of protest.

Hot and Cold: Spies, Armageddon, and Skiing Half-Naked

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Learn about the animal spies among us, get tips on how to survive nuclear war, and watch a world record get broken.

Singed Sweets and Stolen Sea-Dwellers

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Stories about chocolate and fish: not an appetizing pairing, but a good selection for this week’s TWERF.

April Fool's Day, Russia Style!

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 16:00:00 GMT

In honor of April Fool’s Day, we present you with jokes, mishaps, and fun times all around.

New Zealand, Nuke Names, and New 'dos

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Grudinin shaves the ‘stache, the other election results are in, and New Zealand struggles to offend Russia.

Russian Election Special with Winners, Losers, and Shavers

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 17:00:00 GMT

TWERF takes on the political this week, bringing you news of the election and the weird things that accompanied it.

Cats, Cars, and Non-existent Countries

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 15:30:00 GMT

World Cup picks, elections, and fraudulent activity all point to the same lesson this week: make your choices wisely.

Births, Rebirths, and Nuclear Weapons

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Nukes get names, a truck becomes a camera, and an old church gets a fresh look.

Viral Videos of All Stripes and Sizes

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Adults want kids to vote, kids want Leonardo DiCaprio to soak himself, and Leo wants fewer video games on TV.

A Holiday for Every Occasion

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Traditional celebrations like Maslenitsa are accompanied by new ones, like Chinese New Year. The party never stops!

Stories of Sorrow and Uplift

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 06:00:00 GMT

A Russian national tragedy is softened by stories of a skating grandmother and small children in the snow.

Groundhog Day, Russia Edition

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Punxsutawney Phil ordered six more weeks of winter for the States, but the weather is getting much weirder in Russia: record-breaking snow and locusts, to start with.

Fights, Oversight, and Voting Rights

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Russians practice their rights: heated debate, voting in North Korea, and not getting any more survey calls.

Moon Colonies and Molotov Modernism

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 18:00:00 GMT

Join Earth's first non-Earthbound nation, get an art lesson with a side of Molotov cocktail, and learn about lusty leopards.

Aliens, help Russia!

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 18:00:00 GMT

Darkness descends on Moscow, a cry for help ascends to the sky, and a foreign agent stays exactly where it is. Also huskies and ancient teeth.

A little vodka, a little puppies, a little Despacito

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Let's go to Nizhny Novgorod to hear a Russian rendition of the song of the year. And then, lets meet some puppies and a vodka thief.

The Best of 2017

Sun, 31 Dec 2017 17:00:00 GMT

For our final TWERF of 2017, we look back and re-share some of our favorite stories from 2017. They may not be the most note-worthy or news-worthy stories, but we felt they were the most fun.

Romanov Holiday and Russia's Best Cat

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 17:00:00 GMT

What a Russian holiday looks like, the Romanovs go to The Gambia, and why secret police are extra special around the holidays. All that, and Russia's most popular cats.

Superputin, Sly Wolves, & Censorship Stalkers

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 17:00:00 GMT

An art exhibit proves once and for all that Putin is a superhero. Plus, World Cup counterfeits, how Russian media monitoring works, and a leopard cub.

Presidents, Olympians, and Feathered Friends

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 06:00:00 GMT

Putin announces he'll run for president, the Olympic Committee announces Russia can't compete, and some swans announce that they want a new house.

Santa Claus, Space Aliens, & Robot Cars

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 17:00:00 GMT

Father Frost gets iced, a space shuttle gets wet, and cars get driven driverlessly. Plus, famous Russian buildings go on vacation, the Romanovs take TV, and Russian smilies)

Lions and Lawyers and Baba Yaga, Oh My!

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Ice Age lions thaw out, fairytale heroes meet social media, and foreign news needs a new passport. Plus, all about Russian art in less than 30 minutes.

The Big 100

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 18:00:00 GMT

This year marks the centennial of the Bolshevik Revolution. Here's what that looks like, plus gas, cats, and seals (state seals, that is).

Slavic-Style Spooks

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Halloween or Hallowon't? The holiday is more trick than treat in Russia, so dive into the details and creep yourself out with some frightful tales while you're at it.

Rocks, Raps, and Cats in Charge

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Trouble in the tombstone industry, booming blockchain, and mercenary music hits. Plus, cats at work and a use of paper you've never seen.

Bread and Circuses. And Tetris.

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 17:00:00 GMT

Arcade cars, patriotic circuses, and administrative festivities. Also, some crazy murals, Moscow's transformation, and the secrets of Peter the Great.

Putin in Birthdayland and Alice in Wonderland

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 16:00:00 GMT

For Putin's birthday, a fake burger, a real burger, and a puppy. Plus, St. Petersburg rooftops, frogmen, and how to bathe in crude oil.

Spying for Russia and Flying for Russia

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:00:00 GMT

The glorious deeds of a famous spy, the smaller deeds of everyday spies, and a whole new horizon for female fighter pilots.

The Biggest Cheesecake, The Artsiest Robot, and The Spaciest Station

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 16:00:00 GMT

A record-breaking cake, a robot breaking (conceptions of) art, and a space station breaking international boundaries. Plus, flying cars and how to live on Mars.

Guns, Gents, and Stalin

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Heroes who caused deaths, heroes who saved lives, questionable movie heroes, and the heroes who make art and cheese. Which is your favorite?

Evil Clowns, Ballerinas, and Other Movie Monsters

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Clown horror is horrid for clowns, a ballet scandal on the silver screen, and a pack of protesting porkers.

Fake Countries, Sausages, and Mystery Highways

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 16:00:00 GMT

How to be patriotic to a nonexistent country, get a proper education, and deal with a highway through your house. Plus buildings, bridges, and bratwursts to die for.

Burger Bucks, Dyeing of Shame, and Flying Ballerinas

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Burger King makes money (its own), broke taxi passengers turn green, and summertime snow. Plus, a ballerina with a backup plan, Borodino, and the Museum of Death.

Rap battles, Moscow's move, and mixing dating and politics

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 17:00:00 GMT

Elections are the new dinner and a movie. Plus, Moscow's heading east, rap battles get a bad rap, and pickles and melons galore.

Zombies, a Swampy Lake, and a New Shirtless Challenge

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 09:00:00 GMT

A not-quite lake makes a splash, zombies on public transit, and problems memorializing history's tragedies. But on the bright side, shirtless men and hippos.

Paratroopers, Pig Manure, & Plant Killers

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Pranksters solve energy security with pig manure, paratroopers get rowdy, and presidential grants yield surprise winners. Plus, Russia's deadliest plants and getting stuck in an elevator.

Parties with Putin and the Ruins of Literature

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 18:00:00 GMT

President Putin visits human rights activists and curious kids, and a famous author falls to pieces. Plus Ivan the Terrible, a terrible auction purchase, and 10 fantastic bridges.

Royal(ish) Weddings and Toys for the Opposition

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Getting flak for getting hitched, how fidget spinners foster political dissidence, and a new set of wheels around Russia. Plus dandy pigeons and the best totalitarian tourism.

Risqué Ballet and Putin's Grannies

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 16:00:00 GMT

The scandal around the Bolshoi's latest ballet, remembering an Internet icon, and pro-Putin pensioners, with a dash of PhotoShop of daredevilry.

Toxic Waste, Putin Farms, & Crazy Seals

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Tractors for Putin, toxic waste for Kaliningrad, and Reagan and Gorbachev for their modern-day counterparts. Also sweet wine, state secrets, and salt.

Baller Ballerinas, Flying Taxis, & Gardens in the Sky

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Celebrate soccer with metro-station ballet, explore the galaxy with Yandex, and take a stroll through Moscow's rooftop gardens. Plus the Beatles, Stephen Colbert, and 29 Russian writers.

Soccer, Sci-Fi, Snipers, and Tsoy

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Russia hosts the Confederations Cup, Strugatsky sci-fi gets a reboot (or just gets booted), and we honor the memories of WWII's female snipers and of the rock legend Viktor Tsoy.

The Wooly Mammoth of the Past Is the Hotel of the Future

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 17:00:00 GMT

Mammoth skulls, ancient lizards, intangible money, train-jumping, and the great knights of Slavic history. Russia Day really does bring out the best.

Celebrating Russian Language Day with Poets, Filmmakers, Journalists, & Robots

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Celebrate the wealth of Russian culture with Pushkin's birthday, Russian Language Day, Sokurov's film award, Russian museums, and, um, Megyn Kelly's weird interview with Putin. Well, at least those first four.

Bananas, Ballerinas, and Bubble Bath

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Blackface and bananas raise racist concerns ahead of soccer match, a linguist links Siberian Ket and Navajo languages, and video bloggers bring bubbles and pets to parliament.

Russian Youth, Then and Now

Thu, 25 May 2017 16:00:00 GMT

We celebrate the anniversary of the Pioneers, explore Russia’s Generation Z, and for fun, admire a baby bear helping out in the garden.

Pop music, Pythons, and Kindergarten on the Run

Thu, 18 May 2017 17:00:00 GMT

An anti-politics pop song, the drive against Hollywood, and education for deer herders. Plus, Putin, pianos, and pythons.

Victory Day and cheeky chess pieces

Thu, 11 May 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Victory Day meant full streets but empty skies. A hollow chess piece hides more than its next move. And a day in the life of an Arctic doctor.

Vegans, Frogs, and the Grandmas of Mortal Kombat

Thu, 04 May 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Pop-star grandmas advertise action films, May Day doesn't go great for vegans, and a Russian frog smuggler's story gets even more unlikely.

Floods of water, juice, and trendy ostrich photos

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:00:00 GMT

A juice flood. A mud flood. A human rights drought. And for good measure, portraits with wild animals and haircuts with an axe.

Counterfeit TP and Commuting By Ball

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Some folks form an Arctic military base or withdraw from mayoral elections. Others counterfeit toilet paper and roll through traffic in a giant ball.

Cosmonautics Day and Fruit in Disguise

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Investigations: the state of Russian cosmonautics, what happens to prohibited fruit, and when mourners aren't really mourning. Plus, sneaking pickles into space.

The bad, the sad, and the ice laser

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:00:00 GMT

It's been a rough week in Russia, with the metro bombing in St. Petersburg, the disappearance of gay men, and the death of Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Luckily, lasers are kinda neat.

#Russiagate, Demos & Alaska

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 17:00:00 GMT

Continuing scandal, new demonstrations, a sesquicentenial and a linguistic smackdown. Just another week here at TWERF.

Grab a Guinness for Orthodoxy

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Does Russian St. Patrick's Day have leprechauns? After you ponder that, there's a reindeer herder fighting big oil, humans-turned-Twitter bots, and a mysterious murder.

Medical tourism, space tourism, imaginary tourism

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 19:00:00 GMT

A Moon landing is on the horizon. Eurovision, with its typical set of scandals, is on an even closer horizon. And on your way, why not stop by Red Square for some dental work?

Say no to discrimination, ducks, and hugs

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 17:00:00 GMT

International Women's Day was celebrated by marches, flowers, and flash mobs. In other news, Russia and China are BFFs, and Prime Minister Medvedev likes ducks.

Cats, droids, and acrobatic rock & roll

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 19:00:00 GMT

A friendly robot graces the metro and a politically charged (and financed) dance studio gets footloose thanks to the youngest Putin. Also, happy World Cat Day!

100 Years Ago, In a Monarchy Far, Far Away

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 17:00:00 GMT

Exactly 100 years ago, on February 23, 1917, the Russian Revolution began. And once you've learned about that, there's space, WWII reenactments, and a portal back to medieval times.

The Kremlin on Ice

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 17:30:00 GMT

Convicts carve up the Kremlin, an assassin wins a prize, and governors drop like flies. Actually, that all sounds a lot worse than what happened. Find out for yourself.

Buddha in a blizzard, tsar in the tropics

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 17:00:00 GMT

A Buddhist monastery in the mountains fights one millionaire, and Kiribati's islands welcome another one. There's also exorcism, the Facebook of 1917, and general happiness.

Blogging Bears, Ivan the Terrible Rapper, and a Blob

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:00:00 GMT

A polar bear travels the world, a historian serves up the Rhyme of Troubles, the Kremlin gets a new alien, and Presidents Putin and Trump get along by the skin of their teeth.

Bacon, comics, and fairy tales on ice

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:00:00 GMT

Adapting to life in Russia? Comic books. Craving cuteness? Piglets getting saved from a fire. Not Russian enough for you? Ice swimming. And for good measure, zombies.

The spy who stayed out in the cold

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Some people see spies everywhere. Other people just see dumpsters, birds, snow, dogs, boars, or artists seeking political asylum. (That's at least 4 separate stories).

Exercise! Frozen bikes, illegal yoga, sturdy stolen statues

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 17:00:00 GMT

The year's coldest ride, hottest statue, most scandalous yoga teacher, and best way to learn the names of all of Russia's federal subjects. And it's just the first TWERF of the year.

We Fish You A Merry Christmas (and Hanukkah)

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Just in time for the holidays, Russians unearth (unsea?) some fish that look out of this world. Plus, anticipating the New Year, the U.S. view on Russia, and political jokes.

Of mutts and men

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 17:00:00 GMT

With puppies and provinces on the line, Russia-Japan relations are a bit ruff. Plus bobsledding bedlam, diplomatic dirt, and more holiday dogs.

Cartoons, reality TV, and other art forms

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Masha and the Bear tops the charts, Ramzan Kadyrov picks Chechnya's next top admin, and the arts in general are a big bowl of kasha.

Art and politics on thin ice

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Should ice dancing with a Holocaust theme be totally taboo, or can it be done with respect? That and Fidel Castro, Siberian cats, and a few fish puns.

Giving thanks: Russian beauty, culture, and cats

Thu, 24 Nov 2016 17:00:00 GMT

We thank our readers for another year of living, loving, and learning about Russian life. With some extra pictures and cultural exploration to keep you grateful.

Clowns, corruption, and overdue library books

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:00:00 GMT

A group of humanitarian clowns is set to conquer sadness in Russia. Whether they can also combat corruption, questionable legal cases, and adorable baby foxes is another matter.

A new direction for US-Russia relations?

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 18:00:00 GMT

The news in the U.S. is news for Russia, too. Here's how Russians are thinking about a Trump presidency – and it involves cats and burgers, as well as political ponderings.

False history and forensic literature

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Fighting falsified Russian history, righting incorrect Bulgakovian history, and piecing together just what – and how unified – is the Russian nation.

How to name your baby (and not get arrested)

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Baby BOCh rVF 260602 may have to change his name. Plus, Russia's protest potential, the shrinking middle class, and dabbling with Shamanism.

Can a Martian invasion fix Russia-Europe relations?

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 17:00:00 GMT

It's a busy week for technology, what with a Mars lander, more secure Internet, electric cars (in unlikely places), and enough counterfeit money to fill an ATM.

Solzhenitsyn, Alf, and raccoons all around

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 16:00:00 GMT

A disturbing attack on a renowned author, and a lighthearted nod to an unlikely TV hero. Plus Russian military expansion, raccoons' domestic expansion, and more unlikely art.

Liquor machines and lullaby missiles

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Patriotic tectonic plates, the threat of airborne Internet, a possible return to the Gulag, and some problems without solutions.

Tanker, toddler, marketer, spy

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Spy gadgets get culinary, Putin parks a tank, and a tyke takes on the wilderness. All that, and the spirit of adventure.

Bears, boycotts, and busting rhymes

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Election aftermath, polar bear attacks, why drivers are against Russia's version of Uber, and maybe even a state secret or two.

Siberia's natural wonders meet the Duma elections

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 16:00:00 GMT

This week brings you not just news, but also striking images of the latest discoveries in natural rock formations and mammoth hunting in Siberia. Also, election season.

Nomads, salad stampedes, and serious swamp business

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Olympics featuring dead goats, world records with feta cheese, blood-red rivers, and how to set up your business in a pit of slime.

Corruption, Kalashnikovs, and cultured meats

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Performance art turned into meaty meals and politicians turned criminals or corpses. Oh, and Vladimir Putin gets arrested.

Tractors, smugglers, and the matryoshka from hell

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 16:00:00 GMT

It's a tough week for transport in Russia, with a tractor parade, a smugglers' road, a bear on the loose, and an unwieldy matryoshka to top it all off.

Michael Phelps, Russia's swimming champ

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 16:00:00 GMT

The opening of the Kremlin, the mysterious ways of the nooscope, Hare Krishnas, and why Michael Phelps decided to defect to the Russian Olympic team.

Olympians, Titans, and cats dressed up as sailors

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:00:00 GMT

The Olympics are under way! With them, new moves in Turkish-Russian relations, a Putin-voiced documentary, and the dangerous force of Russiaphobia. Also cats.

Fake elections, real Cossacks, and how to do yoga in prison

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Why some Russians would rather vote for a fictional candidate, the importance of a Cossack education, and some artsy graffiti along the way.

That's not cheese. It's a cyborg.

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:00:00 GMT

A joke-telling Pushkin robot, an unimpressed Putin, and cheese that's as virtual a reality as Pokémon.

Ivan the Terrible and Pokémon the Great

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Pokémon goes to Russia – and so do memories of fallen tsars, athletes, street cleaners, and of course, a kitty cat.

Ballooning of strict laws, and ballooning of a hot air balloon

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Adventure takes many forms. There's regular travel, round-the-world travel, and navigating the Russian legal system. Also beards.

Get undressed and read the news till you sweat

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Presidential speeches urge disrobing, but it's not what you think. All while laws get passed, politicians play judo, and – wait, is that Leonardo diCaprio?

What Brexit means for Russian economic and territorial expansion

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Britain has voted to leave the European Union. Does that mean a boom for Russia? Or is that title a ploy to get you to read about how Russians go about sunbathing?

Scandals, lies, sci-fi, and other sporting events

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Fictional sportscasters, the all-too-real Olympic ban, and the possible reality of teleportation in Russia's future. And don't forget about mind control.

Births: Modern Russia, baby LSDUZ, and lots of leopards

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Russia Day marks the birth of the post-Soviet Russian nation. This week saw some other births too, from literal leopard cubs to figurative names and games.

Russians don't need principles. Just submarines

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 16:00:00 GMT

The British are out to get Russian values and Russian naval vessels alike this week. Scroll down enough and there's also a cat pic.

Elton John Crocodile Rocks the Kremlin

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Sir Elton John's much-vaunted visit with Putin, Eurovision for kids, setting doors on fire, and other great performances – all in one little week.

Dancing diplomats and dictators' cats

Thu, 26 May 2016 19:00:00 GMT

Politicians are people just like us. They get millions of Instagram responses for a lost pet and do folkdances in front of world leaders. Just a day in the life.

Catchy beats and milk-soaked scuffles

Thu, 19 May 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Russia's physics-defying display at Eurovision. Bullying via dairy products. Plus some saucy presidential pecking – on the lips.

Baby bears, cats in debt, and other fuzzy victories

Thu, 12 May 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Victory Day, marking the 71st anniversary of the end of WWII, was celebrated this Monday. Here are the ups, downs, and nonsequiturs of the occasion.

A Very Russki Cinco de Mayo

Thu, 05 May 2016 17:00:00 GMT

Or, whatever the Russian version of margaritas, mariachis, and misunderstood military history might involve.

Prizes, spies, and kasha for all

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:00:00 GMT

This week was full of wins for Russia: a famous photographer, everyone who watched Putin's call-in, and lawmakers making it harder to get foreign aid. So, a loss for Russians getting foreign aid.

Icebergs and tigers and starships, oh my!

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 16:00:00 GMT

Which would you rather: be trapped in the Arctic or accused of treason? Okay, not a fun game. But a worthwhile read about the latest in Russian news.

A kick in the face of public taste

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:00:00 GMT

This week in Russia saw a whole lot of beatdowns: on international corruption, candy stores, and even Buddha.

Chess, Traffic and Briefcases

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 16:00:00 GMT

In The Weekly Russia File for March 31: some terrible chess puns, and how to stop traffic.

Architecture and unexquisite corpses

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:00:00 GMT

A church’s domes caving into the altar. A transgender couple finagles a wedding. A hospital patient shares a room with a corpse. Just another TWERF.

Butina, Babies, and Baby-making

Mon, 01 Jan 1990 06:00:00 GMT

This week, depressing news about divisions and birth rates can only really be counteracted with a smile over the Orthodox church’s new take on sex.