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DRAMATIC SHIFTS

Russia’s Leading Climate Change Expert Gives Sober Prognosis

Russia is set to experience huge temperature increases and extreme weather events, but there will also be opportunities.

Baby Seal Rescued in Baltic Sea

An adorable orphaned baby seal is getting a second chance at life as her natural habitat is quickly disappearing.

Is Russia Finally Waking Up to Climate Change?

Russia is the world’s fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases but has so far failed to adopt meaningful reduction targets.

Joseph Brodsky Museum Set to Open in St. Petersburg

The opening was stalled for years because current residents of the communal flat refused to sell.

Russians Mourn 500,000 Buried in Mass Grave After Siege of Leningrad

On the 76th anniversary of the Siege of Leningrad, Russians honored those who perished.

2020 look ahead

Will 2020 be the Year St. Petersburg Gets a Moscow-Style Makeover?

New parks, transport and tourism options are coming to Russia's second-largest city.

Homophobic attack

7 Men Attack Teenager in Russia for ‘Lesbian’ Appearance

The detained attackers reportedly admitted that they didn’t like how the girl had been holding hands with her friend.

Rivalry on hold

Russian Football Fans Stage Mass Walkout Over Police Crackdown

“When a fan arrives from a different country he is treated like a welcome guest, while Russian fans are treated like criminals.”

St. Petersburg Opposition Leader Fights Sexual Harassment Accusations

Observers say reports in pro-Kremlin media are a smear campaign designed to discredit liberal deputy Boris Vishnevsky.

Moscow Deputy Asks Putin to Block Homeless Shelter

Efforts to help the homeless have been met with strong resistance in Russia's capital.

St. Petersburg Launches International Competition for New Zaryadye-Style Park

Local officials say the new park will open a unique panorama view onto the city's historical landmarks.

DESTROY NOT RESTORE

Expert Calls for Demolition of St. Petersburg’s Center to Save Money

A Moscow architecture expert told the St. Petersburg Cultural Forum the city can’t afford conservation and needs to attract investors.

St. Petersburg Tackles a Homeless Problem Moscow Won’t Address

St. Petersburg has become more accepting of homeless people than Moscow thanks to the Nochlezhka NGO.

Russian horror story

Murder on the Moika: Brutal Killing Sparks Public Outcry in Russia

Critics say the murder of a young woman by her former professor was spurred by a culture of impunity.

historic legacy

Vyborg Restoration: How Russia’s Most Scandinavian Town Is Coming Back to Life

The once decaying town is undergoing a $26.5 million restoration.

TOURIST-CLOGGED

St. Petersburg Officials Are Encouraging a Tourism Boom. Locals Fear an Invasion.

E-visas and cheap flights will attract up to 2 million more visitors a year to a city that is already bursting at the seams.

United Russia Officials Meddled in St. Petersburg Vote, Top Election Official Says

Ella Pamfilova said members of the ruling party had “directly intervened in the electoral process.”

Russians Relive WWII Experience in Life-Size Exhibition in St. Petersburg

The immersive panorama features street skirmishes, life-size tanks and trenches.

weekend profile

St. Petersburg’s New Governor, Undeterred by Charges of Vote Fraud, Promises Moscow-Style Revival

Critics say Alexander Beglov is a Kremlin appointee unfit for the northern capital.

A Union's Battle

As Ford Exits the Russian Car Market, Its Sacked Workers Fight for a Fair Pay-Off

Ford's fortunes in Russia have turned since the country's 2014 economic crisis.

St. Petersburg’s Dam Is Holding Back the Floods, for Now

Russia's second-largest city is in a race against climate change.

Unexpected Comeback

114 Years After Her Birth, Ayn Rand’s Supporters Think Russia Is Ready for Her Ideas

Young Russians are increasingly turning to the American writer to challenge the status quo.

To Mourn or Celebrate? St. Petersburg Divided Over Anniversary of Leningrad Siege

Seventy-five years after the Leningrad siege ended, the city’s residents won’t be told how to remember.

As Russia Remembers the Leningrad Siege, Some Are Fighting for the Right to Mourn

An estimated one million peopled died in the siege that would last for 872 days — of starvation, disease and shelling.

What Will Russia Do With Its Giant World Cup Stadiums?

The hosts have been left with a herd of white elephants.

Patriotism Abounds After Russia Exits World Cup

After Russia loss to Croatia in Saturday's quarterfinal, footballers, politicians and fans alike are all still beaming with pride for their national team...

Artyom Dzyuba: Russian Football's Prodigal Son

Conflicts with the head coach and a goalless streak almost sidelined Russia’s star striker.

opinion Daniel Kozin

Crossing Russia on the Trans-Peruvian

Thousands of foreign football fans are making long-distance journeys across Russia this month.

‘The Train Didn't Stop’

Russians are a famously tough people, but nobody gets used to terrorism.

Chapmans Bring Hell and Modern Art to the Hermitage

An exhibit by the contemporary British sibling duo Jake and Dinos Chapman will leave visitors to the General Staff Building of the State Hermitage...

Music of Korolenko Defies Classification

Psoy Korolenko is set to perform as part of a duo with St. Petersburg-based pianist and composer Alyona Alenkova this Friday at Dusche club, in a...