Russia
South Ossetia: "without the Russians we’d all be dead"
Russia has ordered an end to its military operation in South Ossetia, although a date has yet to be set for the withdrawal of Russian troops, which invaded the Georgian breakaway province on Friday. Our Observers in North Ossetia, South Ossetia and Georgia comment on the situation. Read more...
Neo-Nazis flaunt videos of violent attacks online
Preying on foreigners and gays and then posting the gruesome evidence online has become all the rage for skinheads in Russia. The growing trend was brought to public attention at the end of July, when a case opened against a gang charged with the daylight murder of 20 people. Read more and see the videos...
The new face of Moscow
The world's dirtiest festival is in Russia
"Nashestvie" is the biggest rock festival in Russia. And many say it's the worst organised. Read more...
Deface Jesus and risk doing time
When vandals destroyed pieces of modern art in an exhibition in Moscow, it wasn't the perpetrators who got into trouble. According to the law, their actions were justifiable. Museum director Yuri Samodurov however, is now facing several years in prison for putting on another of the "Christianity-offensive" shows. Read more...
'Even a draw against Spain would be great'
The panellist who disappeared
The panellist was cut out but you can still see his legs.
Last October a political analyst well known for his critical attitude towards the Kremlin took part in a pre-recorded debate on the Russian TV channel TV Centre. Were the authorities ready to get slated on telly? Apparently not. When the show was broadcast a few days later, the opponent magically disappeared from the set. Read more...
After counterfeit Levi's, counterfeit fighter jets
It started
some 30 years ago with fake Levi's jeans
and Versace bags. Then the market
became more sophisticated, with faux
iPhones on the racks. Now, the Chinese counterfeit goods trade has gone even further, with the production of identical copies of Russian-designed fighter
planes. Read more.
Russia celebrates Nazi Germany – by accident
A bank inadvertedly advertises the Nazi code for a fellow fighter.
The end of WWII is celebrated on May 9 in Russia. Since Putin came to power, the event has become increasingly more commercial. But this year, it went a step too far, when eager party-goers put up Nazi symbols in place of Soviet war imagery. Read more...
