"I have enough safety margin for a lot more. Nothing is impossible, even at such a venerable age. Take care of yourself, dear friends, and never be afraid of anything."

– Maria Koltakova, the "Steel Granny," imparting wisdom, insight, and encouragement.

Despite the pandemic (and a bad reputation for a distinctly Russian grimace), it’s not all sad faces in Moscow at the end of 2021.

St. Petersburg's Zenit soccer team had some adorable company on the field in a recent match.

A Krasnodar man, sentenced to serve time for theft, marked his release by doing what he does best.

"They are waiting for conversations from us, but not concrete actions.”

– Andrei Alekseenko, the new mayor of Krasnodar, seems to have confused the demands of his citizens.

Dostoyevsky spent ten years of his life exiled to Russia's Eastern hinterlands. Beyond the Urals, there are several places that shaped Dostoyevsky and influenced many of his greatest works of literature.

When they turn the electricity off in the village, everybody promptly shows up at Granny Shura’s.

Due to a gas shortage, one former Soviet city has been forced to shut off a war memorial: an "eternal" flame that was never supposed to stop burning.

One Russian city is taking moonshine off the streets by offering a trade: groceries in exchange for booze.

As policy dictates, election staff must now dispose of unused ballots in Russia's State Duma elections – and you’ll find that some have been cutting corners. Chainsaw, anyone?

“They are different projects, but they have the same goal: to create a high-quality urban environment and new opportunities for recreation and sports close to home.”

– Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, announcing plans to improve Moscow’s public spaces.

In which we visit a rather unique store in the Karelian village of Vedlozero. Which of course is far more than a store.