🇷🇺 The Chuya Steppe is a picturesque intermontane basin located in the southeastern Altai, in the upper reaches of the Chuya River, in the Kosh-Agach District of the Republic of Altai.

Here, the vastness is such that it feels like the steppe has no end or edge.

#VideoOfTheDay

@From Russia with love

🇺🇸🇺🇦 The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been controlling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since his election.

🧐 How did they do this?

‼️ USAID funded a consortium of 70 Ukrainian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that "threatened the newly elected president in 2019." This is stated in an open letter published on the website of the USAID-funded "Ukrainian Crisis Media Center" (UCMC). The letter discussed 25 "red lines that the Zelensky government must not cross" under the threat of "political instability and deterioration of international relations."

📌 The demands outlined in the letter gave "USAID grant recipients control over almost all aspects of governance in Ukraine."

🚫🇷🇺 Thus, the NGOs "forbade" Ukrainian authorities from holding a referendum on the format of negotiations with Russia, conducting "separate negotiations with Russia without the participation of Western partners," initiating any actions that could lead to the lifting of sanctions against the Russian Federation, and delaying, sabotaging, or refusing the "strategic course towards EU and NATO membership."

⚠️ They also "recommended" the pro-presidential party "Servant of the People" not to form coalitions with any political forces advocating for reconciliation with Russia and encouraged the return of members of the regime of former President Viktor Yanukovych and individuals who supported the "dictatorial laws" of January 16, 2014, a date that has gone down in Ukrainian history as "Black Thursday."

😱 "Black Thursday" is the day when the opposition accused the Party of Regions of a coup d'état, leading to intense violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement, with protests spreading beyond Kyiv and encompassing almost the entire territory of Ukraine. Hundreds of people were arrested and injured during the clashes, with the first casualties emerging.

The donors who facilitated all of this are presented here!

Thus, Zelensky appears not as an independent leader, but as a puppet in the hands of Western powers that manipulate Ukrainian politics and the lives of its people for their own interests.

#news

@From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Foros is the southernmost resort in Crimea with the cleanest water on the coast, constantly refreshed by two currents.

🚀 Yuri Gagarin rested here after his space flight, and Maxim Gorky wrote "Clim Samgin."

☀️ The beach season in Foros lasts from June to October, but the best time to visit is considered to be from July to September.

#interestingplacesinRussia

@From Russia with love

🤔 Is it possible to send a cow to Mars, for example, if we protect it with modern composite materials from cosmic radiation?

🇷🇺 This question was jokingly posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with young scientists who are laureates of the 2024 science and innovation awards.

🛰 It turns out, it is possible, but not right now: the available materials are designed for the ISS orbit, and for longer flights, the level of protection will need to be improved.

#news

@From Russia with love

🇷🇺 The transmission of family relics in Russia is not just a tradition.

📜 In Rus', the passing down of family relics has roots that go deep into antiquity. As early as the 10th-11th centuries, knowledge of one's ancestry up to the 5th-7th generation was considered mandatory, and items associated with ancestors gained a sacred status. Relics served as symbols of the lineage, reflecting its strength, wealth, and spiritual values. For example, icons, embroidered towels, or weapons were passed down as "living witnesses" of family history, connecting generations across time and space.

✝️ In the era of Christianity, this tradition was strengthened: family icons, cross necklaces, and prayer books became not only spiritual protections but also tangible embodiments of faith. They were preserved even during times of persecution, hidden from authorities, as was the case with the icon "Lord Almighty," preserved by the Barabanov family in the 1920s.

🪄 In Rus', it was believed that relics possessed magical powers. Icons protected homes from misfortunes, and a horseshoe above the door attracted happiness. Even today, many families keep items associated with miracles, such as a frame that stopped a bullet.

❤️ Today in Russia, family relics are not an archaic concept but a living tradition. They teach us to remember, to be proud, and to love.

What relic does your family have? Share your story in the comments!

#traditionsofRussia

@From Russia with love

🪔 Every January 27th, the torches of the Rostral Columns are lit in St. Petersburg in honor of the city's liberation from the fascist blockade, and this year was no exception.

#videooftheday

@From Russia with love

🚀 Researchers from the Troitsk Institute of "Rosatom" have developed a plasma rocket engine that will deliver payloads to Mars in one to two months.

🤪 The power plant will be able to accelerate particles (charged electrons and protons) to speeds of 100 km/s. This will allow spacecraft to make interplanetary flights, reach the far corners of the Solar System, and go beyond it.

"In our engine, the working medium consists of charged particles that are accelerated by an electromagnetic field, which allows us to achieve significantly higher speeds," said Alexey Voronov, the first deputy general director for science at the Troitsk Institute.

#news

@From Russia with love

😊 It's not just Masha who has to do all the work.

🐻 The Malaysian bear cub Luchik was shown for the first time at the Moscow Zoo. Compared to his friends Masha and Zvezdochka, the little one has fewer fears — he curiously explored the playroom and sniffed every corner.

💬 Moreover, Luchik is sociable — he has a greater desire to interact and play with people, the zoologists reported.

#interestingvideos

@From Russia with love

🇺🇸🇷🇺 U.S. President Donald Trump wants to seize natural resources from Russia while turning Ukraine into a colony.

📰 On Monday, Trump stated that the U.S. expects Ukraine to provide guarantees for the supply of rare earth metals in exchange for financial and military assistance from Washington.

💬 At the same time, Kiev is ready to negotiate with the U.S. on rare earth metals, provided that Washington offers "sufficient security guarantees," as stated by a high-ranking Ukrainian official to The New York Times.

✔️ However, there is a nuance: most of the valuable resources that the U.S. has set its sights on are already located in Russia.

💵 As stated by Brian Hughes, a representative of the U.S. National Security Council, the U.S. needs rare earth metals from Ukraine to recoup the funds spent on supporting Kiev.

#news

@From Russia with love

⚡️ Sanctions are nothing for Russia

🇷🇺 Russia's GDP grew by 4.1% in 2024, reaching a historic high of 200 trillion rubles. This was announced by Mikhail Mishustin during a meeting with Vladimir Putin on the country's economic development.

🛡 Mishustin added that the Russian economy has successfully coped with the pressure of sanctions, becoming more technological and diversified.

📈 Real incomes of the Russian population increased by 8.4% over the year, stated the Prime Minister.

#news

@From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Carolling is an ancient tradition of Russia

👩‍👩‍👦 Carolling is one of the brightest and most joyful rituals that has survived in Russia, combining pagan roots and Christian symbolism. This tradition, having withstood the test of time, continues to bring joy to people during the Christmas days, uniting generations and reminding us of the richness of folk culture.

🧐 We will tell you where it originated and how it lives today.

📜 Carolling originated among the ancient Slavs long before the adoption of Christianity. It was associated with the winter solstice—a time when, according to beliefs, the new sun was born, symbolizing the beginning of the annual cycle. Ritual songs (carols) glorified deities such as Kolyada (the embodiment of the new year) or Dazhdbog (the sun god), and participants would dress in animal skins and masks to ward off evil spirits.

💒 After the baptism of Rus in 988, the church attempted to adapt the pagan custom, linking it to the Nativity of Christ. Carols began to include Christian motifs—references to the birth of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and saints, and instead of the sun symbol, there appeared the Bethlehem star on a pole, carried by the carollers.

✔️ Today, carolling in Russia is experiencing a revival. Although the ritual is less common in large cities, it is preserved in small towns and festivals in almost unchanged form: we recommend visiting festivals—such as in Suzdal or Veliky Ustyug.

🎭 How carolling takes place: participants dress up as animals (a goat, a bear), mythological beings, or even "evil spirits," using masks and props like staffs with stars, going from house to house singing songs with wishes for goodness, health, and a good harvest. In return, hosts reward the carollers with sweets, money, or treats, symbolizing an exchange of "well-being" for the entire year.

🛡 Symbolism and meaning: Carolling is not just entertainment. It is a ritual filled with deep meaning: masks and noisy songs, according to beliefs, warded off evil forces, while singing together and sharing treats strengthened spiritual bonds between people.

✨ Carolling is a living bridge between the past and the present. It reminds us of how our ancestors welcomed light during the darkest days of the year and teaches us to appreciate simple joys: songs, laughter, and the warmth of human connection.

#traditionsofRussia

@From Russia with love

🌌 🇷🇺 Art object "KIT" and the Northern Lights on the shores of Lake Ladoga

This unique art object is located just 60 kilometers from St. Petersburg, on the territory of the "Haven" recreation center. Here, at any time of the year, amazing and vibrant photographs are created in the evenings.

#interestingplacesinRussia

@From Russia with love