Russia’s Attempt to Criminalize Foul Language and Why It’s Something to Swear About

The Duma has decided to table a bill that proposed harsher penalties for disorderly conduct and new punishments for using foul language in the home. The fact that consideration of the bill has been postponed means that Russians don’t have to face imprisonment every time they stub a toe and let loose a swear word. […]

The European Court’s Pro-Gay Ruling Fuels Russia’s Anti-Gay Propaganda

This post originally appeared on the Jordan Center’s blog All the Russias. Read it there. On June 20, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Russia’s gay propaganda law violates Russia’s commitment to human rights. On the surface, this looks like a big win for LGBT rights in Russia. But it’s wishful thinking […]

Navalny’s Russia Day Protests and the Fight for Russian History

On June 12, thousands of Russians gathered to celebrate Russia Day, and thousands of other Russians gathered to protest corruption in the Kremlin. The former group says that the protesters “spoiled their holiday.” The hundreds of protesters who were arrested spent the rest of their holiday behind bars. That the protests, organized by opposition leader […]

How Putin derailed Megyn Kelly’s panel and came out the hero

Whether it’s his stunning shirtless horse rides or his top-notch deliberations on foreign policy, President Vladimir Putin knows how to win people over to his side. But sometimes, winning isn’t possible, or it isn’t even the goal: making sure the other team loses is. In such cases, Putin is just as dexterous in the art […]

A foul for Russian-Turkish relations

Russian footballer Dmitri Tarasov started a dangerous game of footy by donning a Putin tee after a match with Turkey. The shirt’s claim that Putin is “the most polite president” rankled the opposing team, which comes as no surprise given the current tensions between the countries. Yes, those are politically as well as athletically motivated, thanks […]

The best laid plans of mice and men

Three blind mice, see how they run – or rather, how they accept an artificial organ transplant. A company in Russia’s Skolkovo Innovation Center has managed to manufacture a functioning thyroid gland with a 3D bio-printer. Then they implanted it into a mouse. How does Micky feel about all this? As for human organs? Those are still […]

When Stalin becomes an app

It’s finally happened. One click of the finger and an imposing Georgian mustache will materialize on your face. Get the in-app upgrade, and you can send whoever you want to the Gulag. In the US, Stalin is something of a Hitler-lite. And for terrible reasons: he may not have had the exact genocidal tendencies that gave Adolf […]

Putin through 16 New Years

Every year on December 31st, Russia’s head of state gives a speech which is broadcast live across the nation. New Year’s Day is also the favored holiday, with the trappings of what many Westerners would see as Christmas (a tree with lights and bulbs, a bearded figure called “Father Frost” who delivers presents, etc.). So no […]

A joke from hell

Here we are in hell. A spectator asks: Why is Hitler standing in shit up to his neck, and Stalin only up to his waist? The answer: Because Stalin climbed onto Lenin’s shoulders.

An anecdote that’s as cheesy as can be

A customer in a Soviet grocery store approaches a salesman behind the cold goods counter. “Do you have Roquefort cheese?” “What’s that?” “Cheese with mold.” “No. But we do have Roquefort sausages, Roquefort pickles, and Roquefort herring.” —A Soviet-era joke. highlighting the inferior quality of goods. Though if you really think about it, the lack of […]