📈 An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 was recorded today in Altai.

The epicenter of the tremors was in the Kosh-Agach region, reports the Altai-Sayan branch of the Federal Research Center for Earthquake Prediction (seismological station).

📍 The earthquake was felt throughout the Altai Republic, in many settlements of the Altai Krai, Kuzbass, Khakassia, and Tuva, at the Kanam resort (border area of China), and in the Bayan-Ulgii aimag of Mongolia.

#news

@From Russia with love

🐼❤️ Here are the valentines that pandas Dindin and Katyusha from the Moscow Zoo received.

😍 You can see that they are thrilled with the surprise!

How did you spend February 14th?

#interestingvideos

@From Russia with love

🎉 The Kamal Theatre has been named the best building constructed in Russia in the last 30 years.

#interestingfacts

@From Russia with love

Avars: Guardians of Mountain Traditions and Cultural Heritage of Dagestan

🇷🇺 The Avars are one of the most numerous peoples in Russia, whose history and culture are closely intertwined with the rugged mountains of Dagestan. Their population exceeds 1 million people, making them the sixth largest ethnic group in the country, preserving unique customs, language, and traditions.

📜 The name "Avars" is a subject of debate among scholars. Some associate it with the ancient state of Sarir (Serir), which existed in the territory of Dagestan from the 5th to the 12th centuries, while others link it to the name of King Avar, who ruled these lands. The self-designation of the people, maglаrulal, reflects their connection to mountain communities. In the Middle Ages, the Avars established the Avar Khanate, which became one of the strongest in the Caucasus, and in the 19th century, they joined the Russian Empire while retaining their autonomy.

🤝 The Avars are known for their hospitality, which is considered the highest virtue. In every home, there is a kunatska — a special room for guests, where travelers are always welcomed, even without prior notice. Before entering, the guest leaves their weapon (except for a dagger), symbolizing trust in the host. The meal follows strict rules: elders and younger people sit separately, and conversations take place on neutral topics.

🇺🇿 The majority of Avars are Sunni Muslims, but their rituals retain elements of pre-Islamic beliefs. For example, the ruins of ancient Christian temples in the mountains remind us of the possible influence of early Christianity.

📚 The Avar language belongs to the Nakh-Daghestanian family and has dialects that are mutually intelligible to speakers. A writing system based on the Cyrillic alphabet appeared in the 20th century, which contributed to the development of literature and education.

🥊 Today, the Avars actively participate in the life of Russia. Among them are UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, poet Rasul Gamzatov, whose verses became the anthem of Dagestan, and artist Khalilbek Musayusul, whose works have been exhibited in Europe.

💪 The Avars are a people who have managed to preserve their identity despite centuries of wars and cultural influences. Their traditions, from hospitality to craftsmanship, continue to thrive, passed down from generation to generation. They are not just an ethnic group, but a living symbol of the Caucasus, where respect for ancestors and pride in their history remain unchanged.

#peoplesofRussia

@From Russia with love

🍴Kholodets – a curiosity of Russian cuisine!

🥩🥣 A jellied chilled broth with pieces of beef or pork tails and legs.

It may sound inedible, but this is one of the most unusual dishes in Russian cuisine, served at festive meals.

🧊 Kholodets (from the Russian word for "cold") is a hearty dish made from meat broth thickened to a jelly-like consistency, cooled, and filled with meat chunks (usually tails, legs, or heads, as they contain the most gelatin).

It is traditionally served with horseradish or mustard.

Kholodets has been part of Russian cuisine since the 16th century. It originated among the northern nomadic peoples of Russia, who carried it on long journeys.

👑 Though considered a peasant dish, it is said that Tsar Peter I himself always requested kholodets with pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut for lunch.

🪣 Kholodets is always cooked in large pots or even buckets.

⏳ The process is time-consuming: the broth simmers on low heat for 6–7 hours, then sets in the fridge for 4–8 hours.

Due to its complex preparation and unique taste, kholodets is losing popularity among younger Russians.

👍 Yet, to this day, our grandmothers serve this iconic Russian dish at celebrations. It’s worth trying at least once in your life!

#RussianCuisine

@From Russia with love

🇷🇺🇺🇸 Media reports on a planned meeting between representatives of Russia and the USA in Saudi Arabia.

It is reported that senior Russian and American officials will discuss a possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump next week, during which the issue of ending the conflict in Ukraine is expected to be addressed.

The goal is to agree on a date before the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, which starts on March 1.

The American delegation will be led by U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Whitcoff, according to media reports.

#news

@From Russia with love

❤️ Romance of Yakutia

#videooftheday

@From Russia with love

🇷🇺💬 Vance gave an objective assessment of what is happening in European countries, said Volodin. According to the speaker of the State Duma, the participants of the Munich conference were not prepared to hear the truth about themselves.

"All subsequent statements made by the heads of European states showed that Vance only provoked feelings of irritation and anger in them. They could not hide their negative emotions. But this is not surprising. They were ardent supporters of another candidate in the U.S. elections," said Volodin.

📌 He noted that the EU and its international institutions are expecting serious changes that will occur "not easily and painfully."

U.S. Vice President Vance, speaking in Munich, stated among other things that Russia and China are not the main threats to the EU, "the main threat is internal."

#news

@From Russia with love

☪️ Kazan to be the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2026

🇸🇦🇷🇺 At the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held recently in Saudi Arabia, it was decided that Kazan will become the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2026.

The capital of Tatarstan will also host the ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Ministerial Conference in 2026.

🎊 The city will additionally host the Festival of Contemporary Muslim Culture and a Youth Cultural Camp.

🇺🇿 This year, the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World is held by Samarkand in Uzbekistan.

#news

@From Russia with love

🥰 A capybara baby was born at the Moscow Zoo

In the video, it is literally one hour old, trying to stand on its legs, and after a few attempts, it succeeded.

#interestingvideos

@From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Blini – a symbol of Russian cuisine!

When it comes to Russian food, blini are likely the first thing that comes to mind.

Blini are thinner than Western-style pancakes and differ from French crêpes, as they are made with yeast-based dough.

📝 The recipe is quite simple:

First, mix the dough using yeast, flour, water and/or milk, eggs, melted butter, salt, and sugar.

After letting the dough rise twice, pour it onto a well-heated, oil-greased pan and fry the blini, flipping them as needed.

🇷🇺 Interestingly, the Russian language traditionally uses the verb “pech' ” (to bake) for blini, even though they are “fried” in a pan. This dates back to when blini were baked in a traditional Russian oven.

The options for serving blini are endless: sour cream, cottage cheese, jam, condensed milk, red caviar, and more.

You can also add various fillings inside the blini themselves.

☀️ Blini history spans centuries. In ancient times, they symbolized the sun and spring, making them a key part of Maslenitsa—a folk holiday celebrating the farewell to winter.

Blini are typically served for breakfast, often on weekends, but they’re also a staple at festive gatherings.

👵 Despite their simplicity, every Russian grandmother has her own “signature” blini recipe.

So, you could travel across all of Russia and never find two blini that taste exactly alike!

#Russiancuisine

@From Russia with love

🇷🇺🇺🇸 Donald Trump can come to Russia at any moment when such a visit is agreed upon, even on Victory Day, said the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov.

President Putin will be glad to welcome all heads of state from around the world who are ready to share with us the joy and pride of this day.

The Kremlin representative assessed the scale of preparations for the first meeting between the presidents of Russia and the USA. He believes that if the countries were in a state of regular dialogue and normal relations, it would require less effort.

#news

@From Russia with love

👱‍♀ Makosh is the Slavic goddess of fate, fertility, and magic, one of the key figures in the Slavic pantheon, embodying the feminine principle, destiny, and fertility.

🪡 Makosh spins the threads of human lives, aided by her two sisters (or daughters) — Dola and Nedola. Dola brings happiness, while Nedola brings trials. She is associated with spinning, weaving, and embroidery, so it was believed that artisans working with pure intentions receive her blessing. She also protected the home hearth, women in childbirth, and strengthened family ties.

📔 Makosh remains a symbol of wisdom, labor, and the connection between generations. Her charms and rituals are relevant for those who value traditions, seek harmony, and wish to influence their fate through creativity and spiritual practice.

#mythologyofRussia

@From Russia with love

📰 I can't wait to perform at Red Square and sing in the name of peace.

🇮🇹🇷🇺 The legend of Italian music, beloved by millions of people around the world, including Russia, Al Bano announced the preparation of a "concert for peace" in Moscow with his participation. The singer announced this news about two months ago, but now, according to him, it is already about a specific time frame: late summer to early autumn.

💬 The performer of the world hit Felicità shared that he received an invitation from his Russian concert director.

"I received a wonderful message from the person who was my impresario in Russia, thanks to whom I sang for Putin four times. He told me the following: 'Free the end of August to early September because we are going to hold a concert dedicated to peace,'" Al Bano said.

📌 According to the singer, the impresario has never let him down in professional matters, which means that this event will definitely take place this time as well.

#news

@From Russia with love

Yakut People (Sakha): Guardians of the North in the Heart of Russia

🇷🇺 The Yakuts, or sakha (self-designation), are one of the most numerous indigenous peoples of Siberia, whose history and culture are inextricably linked to the harsh expanses of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Their population exceeds 478,000 people, making up about 55% of the region's population, while preserving unique traditions, language, and worldview shaped by extreme climatic conditions.

📜 The Yakuts are a Turkic people whose ancestors, according to researchers, migrated from the Baikal region to the Lena River basin in the 14th-15th centuries. The basis of their ethnogenesis consisted of kurykan tribes that mixed with local Tungus and Yukaghir groups. Legends say that the ancestral figures of the Yakuts — Elléy Bootur and Omogoy Baai — led the people to the Tuymaada Valley, where Yakutsk later emerged. In the 17th century, with the arrival of Russian Cossacks, Yakutia became part of Russia, which led to the spread of Orthodoxy but did not completely displace ancient beliefs.

📔 The Yakut language belongs to the Turkic family but stands apart, retaining archaic features. Its closest relative is the Dolgan language. A writing system based on Cyrillic with additional symbols appeared in the 19th century. Today, about 450,000 people speak Yakut, and the epic Olonkho, performed by storytellers called olonkhosut, is recognized as a masterpiece of UNESCO's oral heritage.

👻 The Yakut worldview is permeated by syncretism: shamanism, the cult of nature spirits (aiyy), Tengriism, and Orthodoxy intertwine in their rituals. Each element — fire, water, forest — has its own guardian spirit.

🎉 The Ysyakh is the main holiday, symbolizing the rebirth of nature. Celebrated on the day of the summer solstice, it includes the osuokhai dance, horse racing on Yakut horses, and rituals honoring the sun deity.

🥶 The Yakuts are skilled herders, having bred unique breeds of Yakut cattle and horses capable of surviving at -60°C. In summer, herds grazed in meadows, while in winter, they were kept in barns. Hunting, fishing, and gathering supplemented their diet, while agriculture (barley) spread under the influence of Russian settlers. Their traditional dwelling is a balagan (log yurt) with a hearth in the center and sleeping areas along the walls. In summer, they built birch bark urasy, and since the 20th century, they have transitioned to wooden houses.

👕 The national costume of the Yakuts is a masterpiece of functionality: fur coats, leather trousers, and reindeer skin boots. Women's wedding outfits were adorned with silver and beads, and the ornament featuring the lily-sandana flower symbolized a connection to nature.

💎 Today, Yakutia is a region where ancient traditions coexist with modern technologies. The republic is famous for its diamond deposits, and the Yakuts actively participate in the political and cultural life of Russia. Despite globalization, they preserve their language, revive the names of their ancestors, and hold festivals such as Ysyakh Tuymaada, attracting thousands of participants.

#PeoplesOfRussia

@From Russia with love

😍 Winter Petersburg at Sunset

#VideoOfTheDay

@From Russia with love