September 05, 2023

Roskomnadzor: No More Evading Internet Restrictions


Roskomnadzor: No More Evading Internet Restrictions
Roskomnadzor logo surrounded by locks. Rebecca Rambar, Twitter.

Roskomnadzor, the Russian government agency that monitors — and censors — telecommunications in the country, will seek to block websites that explain how to bypass government restrictions on the internet.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Roskomnadzor has blocked over 206,000 websites, from American social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to independent news outlets' websites such as Dozhd TV, Ekho Moskvy, and The Bell. Even though use of banned sites has decreased, many Russians have sought ways to skirt these restrictions.

The Ministry of Digital Development released a draft resolution that will allow Roskomnadzor to expand its criteria of which websites it can block, including those that contain "information about the ways, methods of providing access to information resources and [or] information and telecommunication networks, access to which is restricted on Russian territory."

While the State Duma announced they don't plan to introduce punishments for using VPNs, many VPN services have been blocked.

In a related matter, on September 1, Roskomnadzor announced it would open a form to report websites with LGBTQ+ content.

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Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

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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.

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Fearful Majesty

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Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

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Woe From Wit (bilingual)

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