Today is the birthday of Lev Tolstoy. We scoured our archives and offer a listing of 17 articles we have published on the great author over the years.

In which we explore the cats, catacombs, and contraband of a Russian imperial port.

In which we share some of Russia's big monuments (and moments) – from ice battles to DNA in stone and steel.

On this day in 1895, two Titans of Russian literature met for the first time and had a swim. Or did they?

“The Last Czars” is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: disingenuous, deceitful hagiography masquerading as history.

Yes, it is possible to be a Russophile and a Ukrainephile. We explain how.

Sleepy Pskov has everything a historic Russian town ever needed: a winding river, a kremlin, and whitewashed churches – all of which have finally received global recognition from UNESCO.

A few images from 1919.

The exceptional life story of the father of the first Romanov tsar, the reluctant Patriarch, Filaret.

On July 14, 2019, Magadan will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding. Alas, this date, like so much else in the city’s history, is a lie.

The moon landing as it was (not) seen from Russia.

This is a short excerpt from the first-ever English translation (by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler) of Grossman’s epic novel of the turning point in World War II.