Derbent is a city with a population of about 126 thousand people located in the very south of European Russia in the Republic of Dagestan on the shores of the Caspian Sea, 127 kilometers southeast of Makhachkala.

The city stands in a narrow passage between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. This geographical position made Derbent one of the most important points of defense for many countries, since only this 3 km wide strip of land can be used to easily bypass the Caucasus Mountains. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Derbent

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Derbent city

Soviet propaganda is the propaganda of communist ideas and the Soviet way of life. It was carried out purposefully and centrally under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and was officially called ideological work, enlightenment of the masses, and the like. Propaganda was conducted through the media, books, movies, theatrical plays, works of fine art, etc.

By the mid-1930s, the role of the propaganda machine in strengthening the Stalinist regime was clearly manifested. Propaganda created a personality cult of Stalin. The pilots were at the top of the hierarchy of Soviet heroes. They were simultaneously the “sons” of the “father” – Stalin and the “motherland”. Source

1923. Build the air fleet of the USSR. Everyone – a shareholder of Dobrolet*!
Sale of shares in the office of “Dobrolet”. Petrograd, October 25th Avenue, 38. The prices of shares: 1 ruble 05 kopecks and 52 rubles 50 kopecks (golden share).
* The Russian joint-stock company of the voluntary air fleet “Dobrolet” was an air transport organization that existed in the Soviet Union in 1923-1932.

pilots as Soviet superheroes

Tags: propaganda · Soviet past

The Lipetsk Reserve stretches along the left bank of the Voronezh River to the south of the city of Lipetsk. The territory of the reserve is about 13 thousand hectares. It protects the natural landscape of the area, including relic plants, rare insects inhabiting limestone rocks, birds, and wild animals.

Hunting is strictly prohibited here, fishing – only with permission. In 2004, the Lipetsk Reserve became part of the National Park, where, in addition to the protected area, it is planned to create a recreation area for people with a hotel, a nature museum, a zoo, and stables. Lipetsk Nature Reserve on Google Maps. Photos by: Fedor Lashkov.

beautiful sunny day near Lipetsk

Tags: Lipetsk city

Norilsk is a city with a population of about 182 thousand people located in the north of Krasnoyarsk Krai, about 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. A major center of non-ferrous metallurgy, it is the northernmost city in the world with a population of over 150 thousand people.

Climatic winter in this city lasts from the beginning of October to the end of May. The average January temperature is about minus 27 degrees Celsius. The polar day in Norilsk lasts from May 20 to July 24, the polar night – from November 30 to January 13. Free entry of foreigners to Norilsk is closed. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Norilsk

Tags: Krasnoyarsk krai · Norilsk city

The Main Cathedral of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or the Patriarchal Cathedral in the name of the Resurrection of Christ is a church “dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, as well as the feats of arms of the Russian people in all wars.”

It is located on the territory of the Patriot Park in the Odintsovo urban district of the Moscow region, about 50 km west of the center of Moscow. The consecration of the cathedral took place as part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War on June 14, 2020. The Patriot Park on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

unique monument of today’s Russia

Tags: churches · Moscow city · Moskovskaya oblast

The federal highway R256 “Chuya Trakt” (The Chuya Highway) is a federal highway Novosibirsk – Novoaltaysk (access road to Barnaul) – Biysk – Maima (access road to Gorno-Altaisk) – the state border with Mongolia.

The length of this highway passing through the territory of Novosibirsk Oblast, Altai Krai and the Altai Republic is about 968 kilometers. The Chuysky Trakt on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

probably the most picturesque highway in Russia

Tags: Altai krai · Altay Republic

Kalinigrad has been gaining significant popularity as a tourist destination because it is steeped in history. Kaliningrad is extremely close to Europe, making it the ideal destination for backpackers. The city itself has an eclectic range of skyscrapers, historical landmarks, and enormous residential zones.

As well as being stacked full of culture, Kaliningrad is known for its rich export of amber, which is how it became dubbed “The City of Amber”. If you are visiting Kaliningrad for a weekend and want to get the most out of your time there, we recommend paying a visit to the following attractions.

welcome to Kaliningrad

Tags: Kaliningrad city

Franz Josef Land is an archipelago (a group of islands located close together) in the Arctic Ocean, in northern Europe. It is the northernmost archipelago of Russia stretching for 375 km from east to west and 234 km from north to south.

It is part of Arkhangelsk Oblast and consists of more than 200 islands with a total area of about 16,134 square km. Franz Josef Land on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

pristine nature of the Russian Arctic

Tags: Arkhangelsk oblast

Russia is a country with great importance on a global level, and it has always much to tell. It will therefore be a pleasure to learn a little more about this place. And not just to gain more knowledge, but also because it might be useful if you find yourself there one day. Who knows? You could spend your holidays in this country and not know all you can find there.

Do you want to know why Russia is famous for? Although many people related Russia with vodka, it is not only about that. This country has too much history, and it is reflected until now. Here, you are about to discover some important things about this beautiful country. Perhaps, you have heard about some of them. Read this article and find out why Russia is famous for. Let’s start!

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Vasilyevsky Castle (also known as Shcherbatovsky Castle) is located in the village of the sanatorium named after Alexander Herzen in Moscow Oblast, about 65 west of the center of Moscow.

It was built by the architect Peter Boitsov by order of Prince Alexander Shcherbatov in the right-bank part of his estate in 1881. Vasilyevsky (Shcherbatovsky) Castle on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

beautiful brick castle-estate

Tags: Moscow city · Moskovskaya oblast · Russian Empire