March 23, 2020

A Modest Proposal


A Modest Proposal
"Wargame" just sounds like so much fun. Nancy Wong, Wikimedia Commons

Veteran Russia-watchers know to keep their eyes peeled during military exercises. The hardware, tactics, allies, and locations used in these trials can give foreigners a clue of what the Kremlin has in mind in the case of a conflict. Likewise, Russia eyes NATO training in Eastern Europe warily

Currently, 37,000 NATO troops in Poland are participating in "Defender 2020" exercises, sparking a little tension. It's like a game, or a dance, except with tanks, planes, and nukes.

If Russia has its way, however, the climax of NATO training, scheduled for later this spring, would be postponed. Not because of coronavirus, but to preserve the memory of the dead of World War II.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has called on European countries to refrain from maneuvers during April and May, during which Russia will be celebrating Victory Day. Grushko appears confident that the timing was intentional, and that the appropriate thing to do would be to reschedule the exercise.

Whether or not NATO agrees (and we're doubtful) remains to be seen.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Victory Day, which commemorates the end of the Great Patriotic War (as the European part of WWII is called in Russia). So be on the lookout for celebrations, parades, and shows of force to mark Russia's primary patriotic holiday.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955