🇷🇺 Yesterday, Defender of the Fatherland Day concluded with festive fireworks in various cities across Russia.

🎆 Celebratory salutes lit up the skies in honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day in cities like St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Volgograd, Novosibirsk, and others. In the Northern capital (St. Petersburg), for example, 30 salvos were fired from 12 cannons accompanied by fireworks. Other cities matched the spectacle with equally dazzling displays.

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🇷🇺💬 Full-fledged contacts between Russia and the U.S. regarding embassy operations will take place this week, aimed at removing obstacles in diplomatic missions, Lavrov announced during his visit to Turkey. Other statements by the Foreign Minister:

— There is growing realism in the positions of many countries regarding Ukraine;

— Russia’s stance on resolving the Ukraine conflict remains unchanged, unlike Zelensky’s position, which shifts more often than green T-shirts;

— Russia is ready to negotiate with both Ukraine and Europe, but hostilities will only cease under terms acceptable to Moscow;

— The meeting in Riyadh offered hope for normal dialogue with the U.S.;

— Ukraine’s non-accession to NATO must be secured through an "ironclad" agreement.

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🇷🇺🦌 Residents of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YANAO) celebrated Reindeer Herder’s Day with sled races and folk festivities.

“Without memory, there is no culture; without culture, there are no traditions; without traditions, there is no education; without education, there is no spirituality; and without spirituality, there is no people,” explained tour guide Klara Zhukova, highlighting the festival’s purpose.

It is reported that 170 people from across Yamal, forming 17 teams, participated in the traditional reindeer herders’ competitions.

Reindeer sled races were first held in Nadym in 1995 and have been a mandatory part of Reindeer Herder’s Day since 1997.

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🥨 Kalach – A Traditional Russian Pastry

Kalach is a traditional Russian bread product, soft on the inside with a golden crust on the outside.

☕️ Kalach can be enjoyed on its own, with butter, honey, or paired with tea.

It has a distinctive shape with a “handle” – a narrow part used for holding. In olden times, it was believed that if someone was hungry, they would eat the soft part and discard the handle – hence the phrase “to reach the handle” (дойти до ручки), meaning to hit rock bottom.

📜 The history of kalach dates back to the 13th century. In ancient Rus, it was made from premium wheat flour and served both as everyday bread and a festive treat.

Kalachi from the city of Murom were especially famous. They were unique due to their dough preparation method – it was kneaded by hand on a cold surface for a long time, earning them the name “terty kalach” (rubbed kalach).

💪 Over time, the term “terty kalach” evolved to describe a person who has experienced life’s hardships, someone whom life has “kneaded” and “rubbed” from all sides.

Catherine II, impressed by the taste of the Murom kalach, even ordered it to be depicted on the city’s coat of arms.

Try a Russian kalach – we assure you, one won’t be enough!

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🇷🇺💬 Before everyone who will vote today lies a choice between Zelensky's fantasies and realistic steps, stated Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya.

The Russian Mission to the UN supported the American, rather than the European-Ukrainian, draft on Ukraine, incorporating a proposed Russian amendment. The diplomat made this statement during his address at the UN General Assembly.

Moscow views the U.S.-prepared draft resolution on Ukraine as a step in the right direction. At the same time, Russia expects the inclusion of an amendment addressing the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis.

The only obstacles to peace today are the "Kiev usurper and his European accomplices," emphasized Russia’s Permanent Representative.

Other statements by Nebenzya:

— The world has been brought to the brink of a Third World War due to the anti-Russian "Ukraine project."

— We tried to negotiate in good faith, but no one wanted to listen or take us seriously.

— Ukraine itself activated the self-destruction timer. The Minsk agreements could have stopped it, but instead of implementing them, the Kiev regime chose to sabotage them.

— Upon becoming president, Zelensky treacherously returned the country to its previous suicidal and misanthropic path.

— The Trump administration saw Zelensky’s true face and realized he was not interested in peace.

Recall: Washington refused to support the Ukrainian-proposed UN resolution demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. This marks the first such refusal in several years.

The U.S. first declined to co-sponsor the text drafted with the EU, then prepared its own version of the resolution for voting at the General Assembly and submitted the draft to the UN Security Council.

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🪨 Kapova Cave – the most famous cave in the Urals

🌄 The renowned Kapova Cave, stretching over 3 kilometers, is located in the Urals, in the Republic of Bashkortostan.

🖼 It gained fame due to its Paleolithic-era cave paintings created by ancient humans, dating back 14,000–15,000 years.

🦣 In total, over 150 images have been discovered in the cave, predominantly depicting animals such as mammoths, horses, and others.

🌊 The cave entrance features a majestic arch that astonishes visitors. Nearby lies a picturesque blue lake with a depth exceeding 80 meters.

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🇷🇺🇺🇦 Zelenskyy is evading negotiations because they would lead to the lifting of martial law and elections in Ukraine, stated Vladimir Putin in an interview with Dmitry Zarubin.

"Zelenskyy has boxed himself into a corner with the decree banning negotiations with Russia," noted the Russian president.

According to Russian data, Zelenskyy’s approval rating is twice as low as Zaluzhny’s, Putin claimed. He added that Zelenskyy’s chances of winning Ukraine’s presidential election are zero.

Key statements by Vladimir Putin on the situation in Ukraine:

— Russia has no objection to preserving Ukrainian statehood, but its territory must not be used as a hostile platform against Russia;

— The Russian president disagrees that Trump acts on emotions, though he believes Zelenskyy gives reason for such claims;

— European leaders are aligned with Kyiv’s current regime;

— Trump’s attempt to stabilize the political situation in Ukraine benefits Ukraine itself more than Russia.

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 Russia and the US must take the first step to enhance mutual trust to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, Vladimir Putin stated.

The Russian president noted that Moscow never refused Europe’s participation in negotiations on Ukraine, engaged in discussions with them, but later Europeans themselves cut off contact with Russia.

Other statements by the Russian leader:

— Europe’s involvement in the negotiation process on Ukraine is necessary;

— Europe’s reaction to the phone call with Trump and the negotiations in Riyadh was emotional;

— Russia is grateful to countries striving to achieve peace in Ukraine; this is not solely Europe’s right;

— The Russian president commented on Europe’s "demands" toward Russia — "let them sit at home with their demands and think about how they ended up in this situation."

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⚡️ Russia and the USA could agree on arms reduction by 50 per cent, China could join, Vladimir Putin has said.

The Russian president noted that Xi Jinping had informed him in a conversation that a "peace group" on Ukraine would meet in New York in the near future.

The Russian leader also added that sanctions are harmful to the world economy, damaging both the Russian Federation and those who impose them.

In addition, Vladimir Putin said that Russia is ready to supply 2 million tonnes of aluminium to the US market, this would stabilise prices.

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🥞 The start of Maslenitsa week and festivities in Russia

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🎨 Colourful Moscow

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⚡️ Maria Zakharova, the Official Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, exposed France and Britain for their insincerity during UN votes.

💬 In her Telegram channel, she revealed that the U.S. submitted a draft resolution on Ukraine to the UN General Assembly (GA) — with a universal call for peace and no Russophobia. EU countries, including Britain and France, "defaced the text with their amendments."

A few hours later, the U.S. submitted the same draft resolution to the UN Security Council, where it was approved without amendments. Paris and London, as veto-wielding members of this body, could have blocked the document but chose not to.

"Here’s the question: When were France and Britain sincere? When they mutilated the U.S. draft resolution at the GA or when they approved the same U.S. draft without amendments?" Zakharova wrote.

The Foreign Ministry representative noted that the walk between the GA and Security Council halls takes three minutes.

"Did they change their views on the global crisis in 180 seconds, or do they just keep a mask in every pocket — for any occasion?" the diplomat concluded.

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🇷🇺 The largest model of Russia

This grand project, which spans the territory from the eastern borders of Russia to the western shore of the Baltic Sea, was created over a period of five years.

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🇷🇺 The Kalmyks are a unique people whose history and culture make them one of the most distinctive ethnic groups in Russia.

📍 Primarily residing in the Republic of Kalmykia in the southwest of the country, they are the only Indigenous people in Europe practicing Buddhism. Their heritage, rooted in the depths of Central Asia, reflects a blend of nomadic traditions and spiritual resilience.

📜 The Kalmyks descend from the Oirats, a western branch of the Mongolian peoples. In the early 17th century, fleeing civil strife and droughts, they migrated from Dzungaria (a region in Central Asia) to the lower Volga and Caspian steppes. In 1664, the Kalmyk Khanate was established here, joining the Russian state as an autonomous entity. However, in the 18th century, after some Kalmyks attempted to return to Dzungaria, the khanate was abolished, and their lands were gradually integrated into the imperial system.

🙏 Tibetan Gelug Buddhism is the spiritual core of Kalmyk identity. Temples called khuruls, destroyed during the Soviet era, are now being actively restored (e.g., The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni in Elista). The epic Jangar, celebrating heroes of the mythical land of Bumba, plays a vital role in their culture. Traditional holidays like Zul (marking Tsongkhapa’s entry into nirvana) and Tsagan Sar (New Year) feature dances, songs, wrestling, and archery competitions.

📔 The Kalmyk language belongs to the Mongolic group, but its preservation is now a pressing issue, as the younger generation increasingly uses Russian. Nevertheless, republic-wide programs aim to revive the language and customs.

The capital, Elista, is renowned not only for Buddhist monuments but also for unconventional architectural projects like Chess City.

Today, Kalmykia is home to around 275,000 people, with ethnic Kalmyks comprising 57%.

💪 The Kalmyks exemplify remarkable resilience, enriching Russia’s cultural mosaic. Their reverence for ancestors and the vast Kalmyk steppes continue to echo the spirit of ancient Buddhist nomads.

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😁 In Russia, a... Trump was born! But not the one you’re thinking of!

👶 A family in Novosibirsk surprised everyone by giving their newborn son an unconventional name — Trump. The parents insist: the name was not chosen in honor of the U.S. president.

“This isn’t a political statement,” explains the father. “The name has multiple interpretations. Plus, in a few years, it’ll become truly rare!”

Ironically, the baby’s middle name is Vladimirovich, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to the name.

The birth certificate hasn’t been issued yet — mom and little Trump are still under medical supervision at the hospital.

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❤️ Masha and the Secret of the Fruit Toy!

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