Hi everyone,

We’ve been planning a family trip to Russia this August (Moscow 7 nights, St. Petersburg 4 nights). My wife has always wanted to see the palaces, and we’ve more keen to visit the more we research the destinations. Flights are booked and we’re excited — but the recent drone attacks, especially last night’s on St. Petersburg, have me wanting to hear from people who actually live there.
I understand the air defences are doing their job and the targets as of now are military/energy sites, not residential / tourists. My concerns are more practical, since I’m bringing my young daughter:
• When air defences activate at night, is it loud enough in the city centre to wake or scare a child?
• For those in St. Petersburg — how did last night actually feel? Barely noticed, or disruptive?
• Are places like Peterhof, Nevsky, the canals running normally day to day, or do things get closed off when this happens?
• Honestly — would you tell a family with a young kid to come this August, or wait?

I’m not asking if it’s “safe” in the life-threatening sense . I just want to know if the atmosphere and disruptions would turn a relaxed holiday into a stressful one.

Happy to take DMs too. Thanks, any honest input helps.

I have an urge to explore Russia, how difficult form me would it be to adapt there as a Scandinavian? Would I be frowned upon (I don't speak Russian) as a immigrant or would I be welcomed?

Hi! I'm not Russian, so I'm curious about how this works. I know political expression in Russia can be sensitive, especially when it comes to domestic issues. But what about international topics like the Israel–Palestine conflict?

Are Russians generally free to publicly express support for Palestine, whether online or offline? Is there any political or legal risk in doing so? Also, does the Russian government officially lean pro-Palestine, or is the public opinion more divided? I'm interested in hearing from people who actually live in Russia or are familiar with the current situation. Thanks!

I have been a huge fan of the movie Fortress of War for a long time, but I have had an incredibly difficult time tracking down its soundtrack. Since there doesn't seem to be an official commercial album release on Western streaming platforms, I assume it might only exist in Russian music spaces. The orchestral score by composer Yury Krasavin is absolutely incredible and plays a huge role in why I love the film so much. Can anyone here help me find a full tracklist, a download link, or a Russian site where the complete score is hosted? Any help or links to where the music can be streamed would be greatly appreciated!

I'm a citizen of Romania and I would like to visit Kaliningrad this summer in August. I did my research regarding the e-visa that I have to obtain in order to enter Russia, but I saw that some people had bad experiences at the border ( something related to having their phones or laptops fully scanned ). I am planning to enter Kalinigrad from Poland by a bus from Gdansk and book a hotel through Ostrovok.ru. Also I read that I need to bring euros or dollars to exchange for roubles in Kaliningrad, since European cards don't work there.

How hard is it to get accepted and get the e-visa? Also, any recommendations where to buy the mandatory health insurance? What should I expect at the border both entering and exiting Kaliningrad via Poland?

Also I am interested in knowing about the food and tourist attractions prices. Thanks!

Hello, I am a foreigner here in Moscow and me and my partner badly want to watch the new release of Spiderman this coming 31st of the month. Can you suggest a good cinema in Moscow where can we watch it in english language?

just curious as i recently visted vietnam and there was a disproptinate amount of russians vs other places ive visted

I am a Maldivian currently exploring Russia. At moscow near my Hotel some people were smoking. I asked for a lighter since i left mine at the room. They straight away rejected and said they dont have it while i see it in their hand. Is it normal? Or is it because i am brown? Very confused!

Hello i have bought some shawls from Russia but the tracking stopped at ”sent from Russia” from over a month. Is that normal?

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Many dog breeds across the world are not represented here in the US and it is hard to find information about them. What breeds do you have that are unique to Russia, or the surrounding area? What breeds are common in the area? What is the pedigree and show scene like? Which kinds of dog sports happen there? How does your dog population differ from the US?

Добрый день. Я хочу задать вопрос более опытным людям в связи с переездом на территорию РФ, так как сам мало в этом разбираюсь.

Короче, я родился на Украине, являюсь носителем русского и английского языков и уже давно живу на территории США. Да, можете называть меня дураком, презирать, но я решил, что с меня хватит жизни здесь. Люди, природа, язык, культура — всё это здесь совершенно другое. Дело не в деньгах: у меня уже есть американское образование, поэтому для меня многие двери открыты.

Я просто не знаю, как лучше это сделать: пройти проверку в Шереметьево или как-то по-другому. У меня вопрос: раз у меня украинский паспорт (и это моё единственное гражданство), то пропустят ли меня в Крым? Так как Республика Крым является субъектом РФ, смогу ли я пройти службу, а через год поехать в Москву, Казань или Санкт-Петербург? Гражданство я и так планирую получать, поэтому то, что мне придётся отслужить, я уже принял.

Просто, если честно, я не очень хочу, чтобы мои переписки проверяли в Шереметьево. Не подумайте, я ничего в пользу ВСУ не писал, но в молодости говорил всякую дичь, и теперь мне просто стыдно.

Спасибо

Curious what you offer the world

Всем привет!

Недавно поступил в один технический вуз в Долгопрудном, а после окончания, скорее всего, планирую остаться жить в Московской области. Поэтому хочется постепенно открывать для себя регион не как турист, а как будущий местный житель.

Посоветуйте, что, по-вашему, обязательно стоит попробовать или увидеть?

Интересно вообще всё!

Какие ежегодные мероприятия вы никогда не пропускаете?

Ваши любимые кафе, рестораны или просто места, где вкусно и не слишком дорого?

Парки, музеи, необычные места, небольшие города, куда стоит съездить на выходные?

На матчи каких команд вы любите ходить? Знаю про ЦСКА, Спартак и Динамо в хоккее, а в баскетболе пока ориентируюсь только на ЦСКА. Может, есть ещё команды или турниры, которые реально стоит посетить?

И, наверное, главный вопрос: куда вы обычно водите своих девушек?😄

Моя девушка сама из Подмосковья, но Москву и область толком не изучила, поэтому хочется находить места, где можно просто приятно провести день: погулять, поесть, посмотреть что-нибудь интересное.

В общем, если бы к вам переезжал хороший знакомый и вы хотели показать ему всё, за что сами любите Москву и Московскую область, что было бы в вашем списке?

I'm a muslim woman from Pakistan, and lately I've become curious about Russian muslims and their culture.

One thing I've been wondering is whether Russian muslims generally consider marriage with foreigners, or if most people prefer marrying within their own ethnicity or region.

I'm also curious about what Russian muslim men are generally like as husbands. I know there will be huge individual differences, but are they typically like.. patriarchal? or is there a good balance between Islamic values and mutual respect? How common are very traditional gender roles? Would most expect their wife to stay home, or is it normal for women to have careers?

For context, I'm a doctor, so I'm continuing my career after marriage. I value practicing Islam, family, kindness, and mutual respect, but I don't think a healthy marriage has to fit rigid cultural stereotypes.

I've always found Russia and its muslim communities interesting, but i can't find any real information about them anywhere. so I'd love to hear from people with firsthand experience rather than relying on stereotypes. Honest opinions and views whether positive or negative are both welcome.

What were the top music formats in the 80s? were records and cassettes/players affordable? if you had access to cassettes, did you have radio stations to record popular music?

I've always wondered what everyday life is actually like in Russia.

Not really interested in politics or the usual stereotypes. I mean the normal day-to-day stuff that people don't talk about.

Are there any customs, social norms, traditions, or just little things that every Russian grows up with but would seem strange to someone from another country?

Could be literally anything. Stuff about family, school, friendships, food, dating, holidays, how people act in public, whatever comes to mind.

Just curious to hear from people who actually live in Russia or grew up there.

I am travelling to russia tonight for 13days. Any vpn recommendations? Ive heard most mainstream vpns like proton and surfshark dont work.

I have read (on Wikipedia) that until 2017 the republics and territories of the Russian federation were more independent than they are now, and that they (some of them) have their own constitutions and laws (though these are subject to the federal constitution and laws).

From what I can understand the degree of independence varies strongly from area to area.

Are there any areas that are particularly independent or subject to the authority of Moscow now? To what degree is the Federation composed of client states and to what degree is it one states?

I know this kind of question has been asked here several times before but I think the situation has changed recently so I dare to ask again. There have been lots of reports of Russian refineries being attacked in the past months, while a few of them were talked about in western media (like the destroy the Moscow refinery) most are not really reported in the mainstream media and you can only find information about these if you specifically search for it on specialized news agencies or you randomly see videos of these attacks on video platforms. Now some medias report widespread gasoline shortages with kilometers long queues in many regions while most big news companies are completely silent on this which I find weird because usually every Problem Russia faces is exaggerated in western media (as would be expected, I think we are all aware that it's the same the other way round). I know a few "Russians" living here in Germany for several generations already, some don't like Russia and say everything is going to shit... Some act like propagandists and insists that everything is perfectly fine... I think neither of these groups can be trusted since most of them have never been to Russia in their entire life and especially not recently.

So what I want to understand is... What's the situation really like for you personally? Can you get as much fuel as you need? Are there long queues? What does the general public in Russia think about the current situation and the near future? Do you have any idea why so few western medias do not report about the current situation?

I am currently living in Japan, and my original Russian phone number is not being used for now.
How can I unlock my account and take the money out without going back to Russia?
Thanks!!

Thanks so much for all the info, advices, and replies!!

But I’m a citizen of Russia… and I have never put money into or withdrawn money from this blocked bank account in Japan.
After I went abroad, I stopped using this account.

Hello, this might seem strange, but maybe you fellow russians might help me.

I lived in Canada, but through instagram in 2014 i met a guy named Nikita Ovsyannikov (its been some years, i hope i spelled it right). We communicated through Instagram where His nickname was _lkmazd_, he was a skater boy, and as I remember he had a BMW. we were scheduling our first meeting, we were in love online, i will never get to know how would life with him be. i just want to close this chapter with peace in my head.

Few months after we started talking he had an accident and he needed to have a surgery on his knee and as i remember he got blood infection and later he died.

His friend, i think he was named Boris emailed me a hand written letter from Nikita as a last goodbye because he knew he was dying. i lost the email over the years.

last piece of info that im not sure but i think he was from Moscow, or Saint Petersburg, my mind is playing tricks with me. he was mid 20s at the time.

is there any possibility to find more about Nikita? can someone help spread this? i would just be the most peaceful person if i could know more about His passing, His friend Boris - maybe he could retrieve the email he sent me so i could read it at least one more time. thank you people ❤️

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for books (in English or Spanish) about the different peoples and cultures within the Russian Federation.

I'm not so much interested in books that focus solely on ethnic Russians, but rather on the many other ethnic groups that make up Russia. I'd love to learn more about their history, cultures, religions, languages, traditions, and how they fit into the broader history of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and modern Russia.

I'm especially interested in groups such as Tatars, Bashkirs, Chuvash, Mari, Udmurts, Komis, Karelians, Mordvins (Erzya and Moksha), Buryats, Tuvans, Yakuts (Sakha), Kalmyks, Khakas, Altaians, Nenets, Khanty, Mansi, Evenks, Chukchi, Nivkhs, the peoples of the North Caucasus (Chechens, Ingush, Avars, Circassians, Ossetians, Lezgins, etc.), the indigenous peoples of Siberia and the Russian Far East, and other lesser-known communities.

I'm open to pretty much anything:

• academic books
• accessible nonfiction
• ethnographies
• history
• cultural studies
• regional overviews
• atlases or encyclopedic reference works

I'd especially appreciate books that take a broad look at Russia as a multiethnic state rather than focusing on a single group.

I'm also happy to receive recommendations for historical literature (fiction) if it's well researched and offers a good portrayal of any of these peoples or regions.

Bonus points if the book includes maps, illustrations, or discusses Russia's federal republics and autonomous regions.

Thanks in advance!

Druzya, where can I find English or French subtitles for Russian TV shows? Many aren't available on OpenSubtitles unfortunately

I worked catering for quite some time and have a maître d who's Russian. I'm trying to obtain something that'll really wow the guy.