March 17, 2026 "You Will Live Here Forever" The little-known story of a Russian academic who held his ground and made a difference. Russia File
March 16, 2026 Russia's Shrinking Health Budgets In 2026, a record number of Russian regions reduced healthcare spending amid the war in Ukraine. Economy Health Regions Russia File
March 14, 2026 to July 12, 2026 Cats and Dogs in Soviet Art: Workers, Teachers, Friends The Museum of Russian Art | Minneapolis, MN The Museum of Russian Art presents an exhibition of forty paintings featuring cats and dogs, on loan from The Raymond and Susan Johnson Collection of 20th Century Russian art and other private American collections. Thirteen of these have never been shown before and will be displayed in an American museum for the first time. Painted by both renowned and lesser recognized artists of the Soviet era, these masterful works depict domesticated animals and their various interactions with humans. In world art, portrayals of pets have historically been endowed with rich symbolism: dogs could be symbols of loyalty, status, or vigilance, while cats are often associated with domesticity, but, on some occasions, the otherworldly, the ominous, and the mystical. Soviet art metabolizes age-old traditions and brings new and additional meanings into the mix. As behooves Soviet cats and dogs in a Proletarian State, these amiable creatures are portrayed contributing to the communal life of a socialist collective. We see dogs resting by a dog sled, pulling ice from a frozen river, or tending cattle. Children’s pets teach their little masters to be caregivers, and cats become friends of retired collective farmers giving them consolation in their advanced age. Also included in this exhibition are Soviet-era porcelain figurines from TMORA collection. These rare sculptural pieces were produced at various Soviet porcelain factories, including the famed Lomonosov (formerly Imperial) Porcelain Factory in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The Museum gives its thanks to the outstanding collectors with a keen eye for quality who generously share their art through gifts and loans. We are especially grateful to those whose contributions made this exhibition possible: Susan and Ray Johnson, Rose Brady, Duane Engstrom, and Loren Bough. Art Exhibit
March 15, 2026 Moscow Doesn't Believe in Internet Recent internet outages in Moscow have had some 90s-esque consequences. Cities & Towns Internet Moscow Technology Russia File
March 11, 2026 More Undesirables Two American academic organizations have been designated as "undesirable" in Russia, stifling scholastic collaboration. Dissent Education Law Russians Abroad Russia File
March 11, 2026 Patriotic Post-Humanism The concept of a “plant-foreign agent” has appeared in Russian legislation. Law Moscow Rural Life Russia File
March 09, 2026 Transfers Taxed behind Bars Russia has introduced rules allowing prison authorities to withhold up to 75% of the money transfers to inmates from relatives. Dissent Law Political Prisoners Russia File
March 08, 2026 A Pretty Penny for the Best Seat in the House A tourist was fined R850,000 (almost $11,000) for sitting on a historic throne in the Hermitage. History Law St. Petersburg Russia File
March 07, 2026 Putin and the Apartment Bombings A new BBC podcast delves into Putin's connection to the 1999 apartment building bombings. Government History Int'l Relations Journalism War Russia File
March 05, 2026 Maslenitsa 2026: Russians Burned Their Heart Many Russians have turned Maslenitsa celebrations into political statements. Holidays Politics Pop Culture Russia File
March 03, 2026 How Russians Hunt in Winter Leonid Arkadyevich Zemsky, a literary scholar, dreamed of visiting the countryside in winter and going on a real Russian hunt. Humor Regions Rural Life Russia File