Tobolsk is a town with a population of about 98,000 people, located in the south of Tyumen oblast, at the confluence of the Tobol and the Irtysh rivers.

The town was founded in 1587 as a center for the development of Siberia. From the end of the 16th till the 18th century, it was the main military, administrative, political and religious center of Siberia. Photos by Sergey Dolya

walk through the streets of Tobolsk

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Scenic view of the Pskov Krom (Kremlin) – the historical and architectural center of one of the oldest cities in Russia. Today, Pskov is the administrative center of Pskov region and an important tourist center of the north-west Russia.

Pskov was first mentioned in chronicles in 903 AD. Prior to the beginning of the 18th century, Pskov was one of the largest cities in Russia and Europe, one of the most important defense and commercial centers of the country. Photo by Victor Peryakin

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Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power plant is the largest by installed capacity power plant in Russia and the 7th hydropower plant in the world.

The station is located on the Yenisei River, on the border between Krasnoyarsk krai and Khakassia Republic. The unique arch-gravity dam of the station (245 meters) is the highest dam in Russia and one of the highest dams in the world.

truly magnificent facility

Tags: Khakassia republic

The Catherine Palace is a former imperial palace located in the town of Pushkin (former Tsarskoye Selo), about 25 km from St. Petersburg. This summer residence of the Russian tsars is one of the largest palaces in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.

Construction of the building was started in 1717 by the order of Russian Empress Catherine I. It is an example of the late Baroque. Photos by deletant

beautiful architecture and interiors

Tags: Saint Petersburg city

In the fifties, Semyon Osipovich Friedland, Soviet photographer and journalist, made a lot of high-quality color photographs in all parts of the Soviet Union.

Thanks to his work, we can now see people’s life in the USSR after World War II. Of course these photos are staged but nevertheless quite interesting from a historical perspective.

Soviet historical photos

Tags: Soviet past

Russia will write off $ 32 billion, which the Republic of Cuba owes Russia on loans granted during the Soviet period.

The total amount of the Cuban debt is about $ 35.2 billion. 90% of the debt ($ 32 billion) will be written off and the remaining 10% will be repaid over 10 years.

some interesting details

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Summer doesn’t come to Kamchatka every year, but this year it has happened and we can enjoy this beautiful view. Photo by Igor Shpilenok

Tags: Kamchatka krai · landscapes

Cosmodrome “Vostochny” is being built in the Far East of Russia in Amur region, near the village of Uglegorsk. The total territory reserved to the needs of the cosmodrome is 1035 square km.

The first launch is scheduled for the end of 2015, the first launch of manned spacecraft – in 2018. The total cost of the project is about $ 9 billion. Several new photos from the construction site taken two days ago (June 1, 2014) by Dmitry Rogozin.

future of Russian space program

Tags: Amur oblast

An exciting walk to the far corners of the mountainous Ingushetia. You can see the unique symbiosis of majestic nature and ancient watchtowers.

Unfortunately, the North Caucasus region remains unsafe because of high level of terrorist activity, that’s why tourist trips there are very risky. Luckily, there are still people who can visit these beautiful places and take some pictures. Photos by Timur Agirov

amazing scenery

Tags: Ingushetia Republic · landscapes

Trinity Church, built in 1827-1832, is located near Pyatino village (western edge of Ulyanovsk region). Previously, next to the church, there was a manor of noble family of Annenkov.

The church is rapidly decaying; domes and columns in the interior are crumbling. It looks like nobody cares about preserving it. Pyatino landscape is definitely one of the most fascinating Russian landscapes. Photos by av_otus

abandoned beauty

Tags: Abandoned · churches · Ulyanovsk oblast