What do the names of Russian cities mean?
These translations may not always be accurate linguistically, but we tried to pick the most peculiar ones.
History
What was nicknamed after the leaders of the USSR?
It's not only houses and libraries, but also two different vodkas. Yes, you read that correctly!
History
What U.S. vehicles did the Red Army use in World War II?
The U.S. and Britain sent the USSR a great variety of equipment during World War II. Most of all, however, the Red Army was grateful to them for Studebaker trucks and Willys army utility vehicles.
History
How were visiting cards used in Imperial Russia?
By the end of the 18th century, the popular culture of personal visits in Russia had reached the point of absurdity – even formal visits to relatives and friends could take up to several days. Visiting cards came to the rescue to save time and effort.
History
5 ancient Russian cities that vanished
A legendary trading city, an ancient Greek capital, a harsh place of exile, a city submerged under water, and a medieval city destroyed by the Mongols – all these places shared the same fate, literally disappearing or wiped off the face of the earth as major historical events unfolded.
History
Alexander Zass: How a Russian athlete became the strongest man on Earth
Alexander Zass became famous for his special exercise technique, which dramatically increased strength and stamina. Surprisingly, he developed it as a captive, sitting chained in a cramped prison cell.
History
How the USSR promoted the ‘friendship of peoples’ (PHOTOS)
The ‘friendship of peoples’ was one of the supports upon which the multinational Soviet Union rested. Unity and equality were embedded into this phrase, as well as cooperation and mutual help, goodwill and common interests, collaborative work, the freedom and independence of all peoples of the USSR. All together they made up the monolithic Soviet people.
History
Marshal Budyonny: The best Soviet cavalryman who was friends with Stalin
This legendary military commander survived through the Civil War and two world wars. But, most of all, he loved horses and dreamed of having his own horse breeding farm.
History
How the USSR’s best female sniper killed 309 Nazis & befriended Eleanor Roosevelt
Lyudmila Pavlichenko fought two wars: On the front, she eliminated Nazis with sniper fire, and then, she fought for the opening of a second front by Western Allies at receptions in the U.S.
History
How the best German ace was twice captured by the Soviets
Erich Hartmann was a real nightmare for the Red Army Air Force.
History
Why did Mangazeya, Siberia’s wealthiest city, disappear from the map of the Tsardom of Russia?
At the beginning of the 17th century, the English actively strove to infiltrate Siberia. The Tsardom of Russia radically put a stop to it. But, it had to pay for it with the loss of the merchant city Mangazeya, abandoning an important sea trade route through the northern seas for a long time.
History
Why were there so few stone buildings in ancient Russia?
There are only a few buildings left in Russia that date back to the 12th-13th centuries – and they’re relatively small churches and temples. While, in Europe, giant stone structures like the Burg Eltz or Alcazar were already built in the 8th-9th centuries. There are three concrete reasons for this.
History
How the USSR’s most cunning thief got 93 years in prison, escaped NINE times & lived for 100 years
He stole from ‘Heroes of the Soviet Union’ and earned money by cheating and swindling. During his decades-long criminal career, he was tried 13 times and his sentences totaled 93 years. Yet, he lived in luxury and was given an apartment in the center of Moscow by the USSR’s most influential officials. This is the story of Vanka Khitry (Khitry translates as “Cunning”)- the most skillful swindler of his time.
History