⛰ The high-altitude village of Kurush in Dagestan, Russia.

#videooftheday

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😀 New Year's fair on Red Square

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🍊🎄Why are tangerines one of the symbols of New Year in Russia?

Due to the climatic conditions, tangerines cannot be grown in most of Russia, and transporting them from abroad was both expensive and time-consuming at first.

⛔️In the 1890s, the first tangerine plantations appeared in Abkhazia. The delivery time for the fruits decreased, and soon wealthy families began decorating their Christmas trees with tangerines wrapped in gold or silver foil.

However, until the mid-20th century, tangerines remained a luxury.

🇲🇦It wasn't until 1963 that the first batch of tangerines arrived in the USSR from Morocco. After that, African citrus fruits began to be delivered regularly, arriving in the Soviet Union just in time for the New Year holidays. In winter, they were almost the only fresh fruits that could be served at the festive table.

Today, the average Russian consumes 6 kg of tangerines per year, which is about half a kilogram per month.

🍴During the New Year holidays, Russians consume twice as much—one kilogram per person.

#interestingfacts

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😍🖼️ Inside the Church of the Savior on Blood in St. Petersburg

Captivating footage!

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🎄 The New Year’s Tree Parade at GUM adds a special festive atmosphere.

Which tree do you think is the most beautiful?

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🇸🇾🇷🇺 "There are foreign troops that nobody invited," - Lavrov on the presence of American soldiers in Syria.

The Russian Foreign Minister, in light of the events in Syria, suggested that Europeans use their influence, which "may no longer exist," on Washington to explain to the Americans that "such games end very badly."

"Refugees are not fleeing across the ocean, as you know. Therefore, Europeans should think about this problem," added the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

🇺🇸🇬🇧 Earlier, Lavrov stated that Russia has information on who supports terrorist Islamist groups in Syria, including Americans and Britons.

#news

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⛸ 🇷🇺 The largest ice rink in the world has opened in St. Petersburg: the 28,000 square meter area has secured a spot in the Russian Book of Records.

The rink is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland in the "Flagpole" public space, near the famous Gazprom Arena stadium and the Zenit metro station.

The ice arena opened its doors with free admission for children from orphanages, boarding schools, and low-income families in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.

#news

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🇷🇺Perhaps everyone has heard the expression that Moscow stands on seven hills. Unfortunately, there is no unified opinion on this matter; however, in 1980, a guidebook noscriptd "Moscow" was published, listing the names of these seven hills:

1️⃣ Borovitsky Hill. This is where the historical center of the capital is located – the Kremlin, Red Square, and part of Kitai-Gorod.

2️⃣ Sretensky Hill. It is situated in the interfluve of the Yauza and Neglinnaya rivers.

3️⃣ Sparrow Hills, which were known as Lenin Hills during the Soviet era.

4️⃣ Lefortovo Hill. The area of Lefortovo was named after Franz Lefort, a companion of Peter the Great.

5️⃣ Tverskoy Hill. An ancient road to Tver passed along its slope.

6️⃣ Three Hills (Troikhgorny Hill). Once a remote outskirts of the city, the Three Hills area can now confidently be considered a center of the capital.

7️⃣ Tagansky Hill. Since the 16th century, this area has been home to the Taganskaya sloboda, where residents made tagans – stands for cauldrons during cooking.

#interestingfacts

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🐻‍❄️ Katyusha, like all children, is happy about the snow

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🎄 New Year's breakfast right on the edge of the forest

Warm tea, pancakes, and mandarins — you couldn't wish for anything better 🦌

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📰🇷🇺 The Kremlin has carefully reviewed the statement made by the elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, regarding Ukraine, but for negotiations to take place, Kyiv needs to lift the decree that prohibits them. This was stated by the press secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov.

"We have carefully reviewed the statement made by the elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, after his meeting in Paris with Macron and Zelensky," Peskov told reporters.

✔️ He reminded that the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly stated that Russia is open to negotiations on Ukraine and welcomes peace initiatives primarily coming from the Global South, partners in BRICS - China, India, Brazil, South Africa, as well as those working on humanitarian efforts from the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

"Our position on Ukraine is well known," continued the Kremlin representative. "The conditions for an immediate ceasefire were outlined by President Putin in June of this year during his speech at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. It is important to note that it is Ukraine that has refused and continues to refuse to engage in negotiations."

❌ Dmitry Peskov pointed out that by his decree, Vladimir Zelensky has prohibited himself and his administration from any contacts with the Russian leadership.

"Their position does not change. Meanwhile, for a peaceful trajectory, it would be enough for Zelensky to lift this decree and give instructions to resume dialogue based on the Istanbul agreements and taking into account the realities on the ground," emphasized the press secretary of the head of state.

#news

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🇷🇺🇸🇾 Russia is extremely concerned about the dramatic events in Syria — Russian Foreign Ministry

Representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow did not participate in the negotiations between the President of Syria and the armed opposition regarding a peaceful transfer of power.

"We urge all parties involved to refrain from using violence and to resolve all governance issues through political means," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated, emphasizing that they are in contact with all factions of the Syrian opposition.

The ministry added that Russian military bases on the territory of Syria are on heightened combat readiness.

#news

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🇷🇺🪶 A multimedia show was held in St. Petersburg to celebrate the 225th anniversary of Pushkin

Palace Square became the center of the celebration, and the walls of the General Staff transformed into a giant canvas for impressive animations.

Captivating visual effects brought to life the magical worlds created by the classic writer, immersing the audience in the atmosphere of Pushkin's works.

#interestingvideos

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🇸🇾🇷🇺 Bashar Assad arrived in Moscow with his family, TASS reports citing a source in the Kremlin.

Russia has granted them asylum.

Syrian rebels have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions, the agency's source clarified.

#news

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😀 Just look at how Krasnodar has been decorated for the New Year!

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