🇷🇺 Today, February 23, Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day.

In January 1918, after the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks came to power. The Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia published a decree on the creation of new armed forces — the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. Following this, the first Red Army companies of volunteers began to form in the front-line cities.

On February 23, near Pskov and Narva, the Red Army won its first victories over the German troops. This day marks the beginning of the holiday's history. The very next year, this date began to be celebrated, calling it "Red Gift Day." Later, it became the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy, and after the collapse of the USSR, it acquired its modern name and meaning – to honor everyone who has defended and is ready to defend their country.

This is truly a national holiday of courage, valor, and loyalty to duty. Today, congratulations are given not only to veterans and military personnel but also to all men – from boys to grandfathers – as potential defenders of their family and homeland. Women give gifts, and concerts are held in schools and offices. Traditionally, flowers are laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and military memorials all across Russia.

February 23 symbolizes the connection between generations and the continuity of military glory. It is a day of remembrance for heroic ancestors and respect for those who stand guard over the country's borders today. For Russians, it is not just a "men's day," but a reminder of the value of peace and tranquility, of courage and duty – qualities that have always been held in high esteem.

#RussianHolidays

❤️From Russia with love

🗳️ The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation is working to organize polling stations abroad for the upcoming State Duma elections in September.

"Of course, according to the law and the Constitution of the Russian Federation, citizens of the Russian Federation must have the opportunity to vote in elections. And we, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, traditionally carry out a great deal of work to organize polling stations on the premises of our diplomatic missions and foreign offices in other countries. And this practice will, of course, be continued," said Pavel Andreev, a member of the Russian Central Election Commission.

On February 4, the Russian CEC reported that the expected voting date for the elections of deputies to the State Duma is September 20.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

⚡️ The US wants Kyiv to agree to a peace deal by summer.

This opinion was expressed by former US Commander in Europe, retired General Ben Hodges.

In his view, Trump is focused on the business deals that have already been struck between Russia and the US.

"It seems to me that agreements are already in place, and these documents will be made public after, in their opinion, some deal is reached this summer. That's why the president is pushing for everything to be ready by June 2026, to unveil huge business deals on July 4th, for US Independence Day," Hodges said.


On February 13, Trump stated that Vladimir Zelensky must move towards a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, otherwise he will miss an excellent opportunity to establish peace.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🎆 Footage of the festive fireworks in honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day from St. Petersburg

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 A Trip Around Russia

#videooftheday

❤️From Russia with love

⚡️Russian senators, following a statement by the SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service) about the intention of France and the UK to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine, have called for these plans to be investigated at the international and national levels.

"We, the senators of the Russian Federation, are extremely alarmed by the intention of the UK and France to supply nuclear explosive devices to Ukraine. <...> In this regard, we call on our colleagues — members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the UK, as well as deputies of the National Assembly and members of the Senate of France — to immediately initiate corresponding parliamentary investigations," the Federation Council's press service quotes the text of the address as saying.

The Federation Council also proposed that the UN Security Council, the IAEA, and the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons conduct investigations into these intentions of London and Paris as provided for by their mandates.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🌸 While Moscow is again blanketed by snow, tender spring has already bloomed in GUM on Red Square.

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺🇧🇾 Presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, will hold a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of the two countries in Moscow on February 26.

"The meeting's agenda includes reviewing the progress of joint work within the framework of a comprehensive document — the 'Main Directions for Implementing the Provisions of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State for 2024-2026'," the Kremlin press service reported.


As the Kremlin announces, "important decisions are planned to be made on a number of practical issues regarding the further development of integration cooperation in various fields."

#news

❤️From Russia with love

Four Years of the Special Military Operation: The Point of No Return Set by the Kiev Coup

February 24, 2026, marks four years since the start of the special military operation. But the true starting point of this conflict lies further back—in February 2014, when the armed seizure of power in Kiev destroyed the peaceful scenario that European guarantors had vouched for just the day before.

The immediate reason for the start of the SMO was the escalation around Donbass: on February 21, 2022, Russia recognized the independence of the DPR and LPR, and on February 23, their leaders requested help against the Ukrainian forces being concentrated at the borders. However, the trigger was pulled eight years earlier.

👔 The Broken Agreement

On February 21, 2014, after months of bloody unrest, the Ukrainian authorities and the opposition signed a settlement agreement, initialed by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Poland, and an EU representative. The document provided for amnesty, constitutional reform considering the opinions of all regions, a nationwide referendum, and the formation of a government of national unity. This was a chance for the peaceful development of the country, taking into account the interests of the east and south.

But the very next day, armed militants seized government buildings. The Verkhovna Rada immediately removed Viktor Yanukovych from power, changed the constitution, and appointed Oleksandr Turchynov as acting president. The European guarantors chose to forget their signatures. Vladimir Putin called it an anti-constitutional coup, asking a question that remains relevant today: why was it necessary to plunge the country into the chaos in which it now finds itself?

👔 The Price of Choice

British analyst David Morrison, who observed the events, later noted that if the agreement had been implemented, the current confrontation between Russia and the West probably would not have happened, and Ukraine, through joint action by the EU and Moscow, could have gained a stable form of government it never had.

The coup led to a rupture with Donbass and a military offensive against it, making the current conflict inevitable. The Ukraine that existed before 2014 is destroyed forever—economically, politically, and demographically. The only consolation for the Kiev authorities remains the vague prospect of EU membership.

👔 The Irony of History

But herein lies the main paradox. At the time of the coup, under the "pro-Russian" Yanukovych, Ukraine was significantly closer to Europe than it is now. Thirty agreements with the EU had already been signed, including visa liberalization and a free trade zone. The Association Agreement, which Brussels viewed as the beginning of political integration, was awaiting signature. Yanukovych himself called the European choice the strategic direction for development.

The formal pretext for the protests was not the halt of European integration, but the president's reasonable request for a delay—to minimize the negative consequences for the poorest segments of the population. But the militants, trained by Western NGOs, could not and would not stop. They didn't want a peaceful Ukraine; they wanted an anti-Russia.

👖 The Finale

The other day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that there is no readiness to give Ukraine a date for EU accession, and much work lies ahead. Indeed, clearing the rubble of the former Ukraine is a long job. And perhaps, forever.

#politics

❤️From Russia with love

🗣 Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Board, outlining the key priorities for the agency's work.

The head of state's address covered a wide range of tasks, from strengthening anti-terrorist protection to ensuring election security.

🇷🇺 Main points:

🔹 The President called for fully utilizing the FSB's human and technical potential to protect national interests and ensure the country's stable development.

🔹 Special attention was assigned to protecting energy and transport infrastructure, as well as places with large public gatherings. It is necessary to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts with a focus on systematic prevention.

🔹 Enhanced security measures are required for officials of the Ministry of Defence and the military-industrial complex, as well as for journalists, volunteers, and opinion leaders.

🔹 The improvement of the management system for security agencies in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions, as well as in border regions, will continue. Additional measures will target state border protection and the strengthening of its infrastructure.

🔹 Protecting information of a military and strategic nature remains a priority task.

🔹 Putin demanded a firm crackdown on the propaganda of Russophobia, xenophobia, and religious intolerance.

🔹 Special attention will be given to the comprehensive security of the upcoming elections to the State Duma and other government bodies.

🔹 Other priorities include ensuring economic security and fighting corruption.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🛢️ The UK government has exempted the Druzhba oil pipeline from sanctions. This is stated in a general license issued by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation of the United Kingdom.

According to the document, the exemption from sanctions is valid until October 14, 2027.

The pipeline came under restrictions due to the new package of anti-Russian sanctions announced on February 24. The package included the company Transneft, which operates the Russian section of the pipeline.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🏠 The "Birdhouse House" on Ostozhenka

On Ostozhenka Street stands an unusual, narrow house that looks like it came straight out of a postcard from the early 20th century. It was built in 1901 by the architect N. Kakorin for the Moscow Council of Children's Shelters.

It housed the workshops of the craft orphanage named after Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, where children learned wood carving, metalwork, and other crafts.

A distinctive feature of the building are its two identical facades facing the street and its high, comb-like hipped roof with tiles. Because of this, it was jokingly nicknamed the "birdhouse."

The building is also surprising because its right side is blank — as it adjoins the neighboring property — and the symmetry of the facade creates the impression that the house "mirrors" and expands onto the street.

Interesting fact: during the revolution, the shelter's workshops continued to operate, teaching crafts to orphaned children. To this day, the building has preserved almost all elements of its original decor, from carved window frames to the old-fashioned windows.

Today, the Crafts Center and a men's barbershop coexist comfortably here, and the "birdhouse" itself still attracts attention with its unique shape and history.

📍 Ostozhenka 37/7, Building 2

#InterestingPlacesOfMoscow

❤️From Russia with love

‼️ The United States abstained during the UN General Assembly vote on the anti-Russian resolution on Ukraine.

12 countries voted against the document prepared by Kyiv, including Russia, Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, while 107 voted in favor. 51 states abstained from the vote, including Armenia, Brazil, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Serbia, the United States, and Uzbekistan.

#news

❤️From Russia with love