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AWESOME drone footage from Sochi Olympic Park

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Who doesn’t like drone footages?

Well, this time I am taking you on the ride to Sochi stunning Olympic Park.

Together with my colleagues at RussiaFeed, last week I went to the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi.

READ MORE: International Youth Festival in Russia calls for peace, solidarity and social justice

Great music, dazzling lights, breathtaking bird’s eye view on the park – all in one video.

Enjoy the ride!

Sochi From Above

You've NEVER seen Sochi like this before!Drone footage courtesy of RussiaFeed's Arseniy VolkovMusic: Demis Roussos – Forever and Ever

Posted by RussiaFeed on Thursday, October 26, 2017

The post AWESOME drone footage from Sochi Olympic Park appeared first on RussiaFeed.


WATCH: First look at Russia’s top car (video)

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In previous articles for Russia Feed I have discussed Project Kortezh, the Russian government’s ambitious project to provide Russia with a home produced top end luxury car (see here and here).

The car continues – understandably enough – to be spoken of as President Putin’s personal car.  However as I explained in my previous articles, it is actually intended for production and sale in Russia’s domestic market as Russia’s own high end luxury car, competing with the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes.

The Russians have now produced the first film of the car undergoing road tests.

It is expected to be ready for production and sale next year, with a limousine version ready for use in the inauguration of Russia’s President following Russia’s Presidential election next year

The post WATCH: First look at Russia’s top car (video) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Putin’s passionate appeal to world’s youth: as technology advances, don’t forget God (VIDEO)

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Russia’s president Vladimir Putin attended the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students held in Sochi from October 14th to 22nd.

Speaking to a group of young people at the end of the festival, Putin told spoke about the incredible possibilities of the future – but also the need to stay firmly based in traditional morality.

It was a rare call to not to forget the values that built civilization, while most of Western society seems determined to do all it can to destroy them.

[Do not forget] the moral component of our work – of any job.You spoke about biology and medicine here…Genetic engineering will undoubtedly open up incredible opportunities in pharmacology, new medicines. Altering the human genome if a person suffers from genetic diseases.

All right, that is good. But there is another part to this process. What does it mean? It means that humans acquire the ability to get into the genetic code which was created by nature – or as religious people say – by Our Lord. What practical consequences can this entail?

It means that…it is already possible to create an individual with the desired features. This may be a mathematical genius, this may be a talented musician; but this can also be a soldier, an individual who can fight without fear or compassion, mercy or pain…

What I have just said may be more terrifying than a nuclear bomb. When we do something, whatever we may be doing…we should never forget about the moral, ethical foundations of our work. Whatever we do should benefit people, make them stronger – not destroy them.

The post Putin’s passionate appeal to world’s youth: as technology advances, don’t forget God (VIDEO) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan tell us what they really think of western propaganda

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Saker  has shared two very revealing discussions with Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan.

In these interviews on Russian television, one can see how both women offer their professional and personal opinions on the western propaganda which continually slanders Russian journalists and the Russian state itself.

The wide ranging interviews show a sense of frustration and bewilderment at the fact that many in the west seem to believe their own domestically produced propaganda.

Now watch Maria Zakharova and Margarita Simonyan in their own words.

The post Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan tell us what they really think of western propaganda appeared first on RussiaFeed.

5 top weapons systems Russia exports to the world (VIDEO)

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When it comes to military hardware, it’s well known that Russia is near the top of pack when it comes to producing some of the most effective systems around.

And it’s not very hard to understand why. From the AK-47 to the T-90 tank and the S-400, Russian weapons are simple when they need to be, rugged, have top speed and range capabilities, and are always very potent.

Simply put – they smoke the competition. (And quite literally too.)

That said, here’s an awesome video by RBTH showing 5 of the most popular Russian weapons exports today.

The post 5 top weapons systems Russia exports to the world (VIDEO) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Russian woman casually walks through explosions & fire to test armor suit

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(RT) – A Russian tactical equipment producer showed off its cutting-edge armor by having a woman walk across a simulated battlefield as blasts detonated under her feet and she was lashed by flames.

The amor appeared to do its job, as model Viktoria Kolesnikova, clad in battle gear from top to toe, didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned at the chaos going on around her. Instead, she simply walked on determinedly until the ‘all clear’ call was given, allowing her to take off her mask. The worst thing that happened to Kolesnikova were the few smudges of soot left on her face.

Talking to excited journalists after her fiery exploits, Kolesnikova said performing stunts such as this gives her emotions unlike anything else.

“Standing inside a fire range is an amazing feeling. It’s beautiful and really just, ‘wow,’” she said.

5 reasons you should NEVER marry a Russian woman

Kolesnikova is a professional stuntwoman, but her task on Tuesday was unlike her usual jobs, since the hazards on the range were actually dangerous. Sergey Kitov, the head of the developer team at TsNIITochMash, says the walk was a demonstration of the company’s advanced aramid fabric, treated to withstand both kinetic threats and fire.

Everything you need to know about dating a Russian woman

The designer said the material and suit design are already good enough to deal with bullets and blast fragments, but they are still working to boost its flame retardant properties to withstand 30 seconds of continued exposure, up from the current 15 seconds. The firm hopes to have a finalized product by 2020 to bid for military contracts as part of the Ratnik program.

© Ruptly

Kitov told journalist it didn’t take much convincing to have Viktoria take the walk.

“You know. Our girls are fighters and eager to face any danger,” he said.

The post Russian woman casually walks through explosions & fire to test armor suit appeared first on RussiaFeed.

EPIC: Russian team flies drone inside massive cave hidden in Vietnamese jungle (VIDEO)

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(RT) – A group of Russian travelers explored one of the most spectacular yet least visited natural landmarks in the world – the Son Doong Cave located in the jungles of inland Vietnam.

The world’s biggest known cave, formed as a result of a cave in caused by a mountain river at least two million years ago, was stumbled upon by a local logger in 1991, who then lost its location before finding it again in 2009. At at its widest, it measures 150 by 200 meters, stretches for over 5 kilometers, and has a volume of 38,5 million cubic meters, about twice the size of the next largest underground hollow.

© cameraptor

Their journey through the cave took four days of arduous climbs interspersed with spectacular sights, such as some of the world’s most imposing stalagmites, fast-running streams, and an underground forest.

© cameraptor

“It’s peaceful here, you feel completely detached and free. This is what you call a reset,” said one of the travelers, Ernest Rudyak, in a video diary of the journey. “It is a sanctuary, a lost world below the surface – a unique ecosystem.”

© cameraptor

Only about 2,000 outsiders are thought to have traveled to the remote location, and fewer than a dozen have filmed inside with a drone. Only limited tours costing several thousand dollars are made available each year, and those sell out in hours.

© cameraptor

But the government wants to capitalize on what has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, and has proposed a cable car route through the cave. A spate of protests delayed construction in 2014, but the $200 million plan that would allow hundreds to visit the cave each day, remains on the table.

© cameraptor

The post EPIC: Russian team flies drone inside massive cave hidden in Vietnamese jungle (VIDEO) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

So what exactly is a Russian dacha? – watch and find out (VIDEO)


Vladimir Putin WARNS Americans: ‘White Christians now a MINORITY in US’ (VIDEO)

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Originally appeared at Red Pill Times

The Fake News mainstream media in the US never stops vilifying Russian president Vladimir Putin.

That’s probably because Putin is a strong conservative who pulls no punches and says it like it is – paying no heed to political correctness.

Last month Putin was attending the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi (site of the 2014 Winter Olympics) when he told a panel of young people whites are being swamped by billions of Indians and Chinese.

The Russian leader also pointed out that White Christians are now a minority in the country – threatening the fundamental western cultural identity of the the United States.

Later on in his comments, Putin noted that preservation of European culture and the independence of nation states was essential to maintaining the diversity and prosperity of the planet.

It’s something you’d almost never hear from an American politician, who would be terrified of being labelled as “racist” – simply for telling the truth.

No wonder the lunatic Left in the US from Hollywood actors to elected officials has tried to tar President Donald Trump and Putin with the same brush via “Russian collusion” claims.

The post Vladimir Putin WARNS Americans: ‘White Christians now a MINORITY in US’ (VIDEO) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Lesson #1 on fighting from Vladimir Putin

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If you read our 7 ways men can be more like Vladimir Putin, this is a must-watch for you.

When asked about the military operation in Syria, Vladimir Putin reminisced about his childhood, saying:

“50 years ago, the streets of Leningrad taught me one rule: If a fight is inevitable, be the first to strike.”

When asked about the military operation in Syria, Vladimir Putin reminisced about his childhood, saying:“50 years ago, the streets of Leningrad taught me one rule: If a fight is inevitable, be the first to strike.”

Posted by RussiaFeed on Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The post Lesson #1 on fighting from Vladimir Putin appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Russian army receives giant modernised nuclear mortars

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(Pravda.Ru) – The Urals Transport Engineering Plant upgraded the Tulip mortar, which fires nuclear mines.

The hardware was equipped with new systems of communication, aiming and navigation. The exact number of modernised mortars has not been exposed for reasons of military secrecy.

2C4 Tulip is a Soviet 240-mm self-propelled mortar artillery of the Supreme High Command. The mortars were used in Afghanistan, where their high-explosive mines could easily destroy clay fortifications and fortresses of the enemy.

The ammunition of the 2C4 also includes nuclear shells with a capacity of 2 kilotons, incendiary Saida napalm mines, as well as neutron Smola and Fata shells.

The post Russian army receives giant modernised nuclear mortars appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Head of Russian Orthodox Church SCHOOLS US ambassador on western moral failings (VIDEO)

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The head of Russia historic and influential Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has met with newly appointed US ambassador to Russia, John Huntsman.

The two greeted each other cordially, but as the video of the event shows, Kirill immediately got down to business.

And that business was letting Washington’s man in Moscow know exactly what lies at the root of America’s problems.

The patriarch stressed that Russians had great sympathy for Americans, whom they regarded as a religious people.

In fact, it was this one nation, under God which set an example for him and other Russian Christians during the persecutions of the atheist Soviet Union.

But, Kirill added, now the tables have turned. The USA and western nations have renounced a society and laws based on God, and pursued immoral values based on atheism.

Huntsman, who is a Mormon, listened politely to the patriarch’s remarks. It’s unclear how much he agreed with them – though he was certainly in no position to refute them.

The post Head of Russian Orthodox Church SCHOOLS US ambassador on western moral failings (VIDEO) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Russian Opera Singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky Dies at Age 55

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Dmitri Hvorostovsky died in London at 3:36 am London time, RIA Novosti reports, citing Russian musician Dmitry Malikov.

After his opera debut in “The Queen of Spades” by Dmitry Tchaikovsky in Nice, Hvorostovsky was invited to perform at the world’s best opera houses and participate in recognized opera festivals such as the Royal Theater of Covent Garden (London, UK), Metropolitan Opera (New York, USA), Paris Opera, Bavarian State Opera (Munich, Germany), La Scala (Milan, Italy), the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky was also in great demand for recitals and concerts – his vocal performance and stage presence combine to considerable musical and dramatic effect. Hvorostovsky’s distinctive voice, incomparable legato and breath control placed him at the forefront of leading baritones in the world. His repertoire stretches far and wide, from Caccini and Handel to Shostakovich and Sviridov.

The Siberian-born baritone and his colossal voice were loved by all Russians and the news of his diagnosis two years ago came as a complete shock.

Hvorostovsky was not only the quintessential example of a singer and an artist – he was an example of a man and a human being – motivating many people throughout his career with his booming voice, contagious charisma and glowing smile, especially during his battle with cancer.

He raised millions of dollars for ill children around Russia through charity concerts – collecting almost $500,000 from a performance in Ufa, Russia. He was quoted once saying, “I have four children, and I know what parents feel when their loved ones suffer. It is our duty to help children, it is the most important thing.”

Here is Hvorostovsky in his prime from 1998, performing “Largo al factotum” from Il Barbiere di Siviglia:

“Cranes” – R. Gamzatov:

A memorable performance of “Toreador Song” from Carmen by Georges Bizet:

“Farewell, Joy of My Life” – Russian Folk Song:

His illness had forced a hiatus, but surprised the 2017 Metropolitan Opera Gala audience with a performance of “Cortigiani, vil razza dannata” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”

An all-time favorite, is his concert on Red Square in Moscow, where he sang “Moscow Nights” (Подмосковные Вечера) with Russian soprano Anna Netrebko:

His presence on the stage and generosity will undoubtedly be missed around the world, but his spirit and voice will live on in everyone’s hearts forever.

Царство Небесное!

The post Russian Opera Singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky Dies at Age 55 appeared first on RussiaFeed.

5 Russian bombshell Olympians you MUST see (PHOTOS)

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(RT) – Russian female athletes are known for their beauty and elegance, as well as their unbending will and determined character which helps them to claim hard-fought victories, reverse the course of seemingly hopeless matches, and win major titles.

RT Sport takes a look at some of the Russian women who have proved that beauty and strength combined can pave the way to world and Olympic glory.

1. Karolina Sevastyanova

Sevastyanova is a rhythmic gymnast who retired from sport after taking gold in the group event at the 2012 Olympics in London.

готовлюсь😉

A post shared by Karolina Sevastyanova (@karolisha_s8) on

Residents from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who took part in a poll conducted during the London Olympics named Sevastyanova the most beautiful female athlete participating in the 2012 Games.

😊

A post shared by Karolina Sevastyanova (@karolisha_s8) on

Alexander Ovechkin’s break-up with tennis star Maria Kirilenko was much attributed to Sevastyanova, as Ovi’s ex-girlfriend terminated their engagement after pictures of her fiance spending time with the retired Russian gymnast emerged on social media.

@nail_sunny 💗

A post shared by Karolina Sevastyanova (@karolisha_s8) on

Sevastyanova also posed for men’s magazine Maxim cover shoot.

2. Anna Sidorova

Skipper of the Russian national curling team, a two-time European champion and runner-up at the 2017 World Championship.

Sidorova, who was forced to leave figure skating due to an injury, concentrated on curling where she has attained stellar results by winning medals at European and world tournaments.

At the 2017 curling worlds the Russian team, led by Sidorova, reached the final of the championship for the first time in the county’s history, but ultimately fell agonizingly short after losing to Canada.

Sidorova has stated on numerous occasions that she is striving to win all the tournaments she takes part in, adding that her ultimate goal is to win medals at the Olympics.

3. Maria Sharapova

The five-time Grand Slam holder and 2012 Olympic silver medalist is frequently named as one of the most eye-catching tennis players on the women’s tour.

Sunday feels ☀

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on

Sharapova has been engaged in the past, but remains very much ingle. In 2010, NBA basketball player Sasha Vujacic proposed to Sharapova on the anniversary of their first meeting, and the tennis star said “yes.”

Loved this @davidkomalondon LBD #BattleOfTheSexes

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on

However, in autumn of 2012 Sharapova called off her engagement to the Slovenian basketball guard, who had moved to Istanbul, Turkey, to continue his professional career. She also dated Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov for two years, before breaking up in 2015.

Candid 📸 from yesterday's @evianwater factory visit.

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on

Sharapova sat out a 15-month disqualification for the use of the banned drug of meldonium, before returning to the tennis court in April 2017.

New week, new grind 💪🏻

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova) on

4. Darya Klishina

Russian long jumper Klishina was the sole member of the Russian athletics team who was allowed to participate in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, following the IOC’s decision to impose a blanket ban on the national track and field squad due to alleged doping violations.

Between my running sets … Taking a couple minutes break ..🏃🏼🏃🏼🏃🏼🏃🏼🏃🏼🏃🏼🏃🏼With my music @skullcandy #stayloud

A post shared by The official Darya Klishina (@dariaklishina) on

At the 2017 athletics world championships in London, Klishina finished second in the women’s long jump event, performing as a neutral athlete as the Russian Athletics Federation remained suspended.

Just finished my small training camp in Rome … So see soon at the European cup ⌛⌛⌛

A post shared by The official Darya Klishina (@dariaklishina) on

Klishina silenced the critics who had long accused her of underwhelming performances, by demonstrating a season best result in London which brought her the silver.

Всем отличных выходных ✌🏼💋 Have a great weekend everyone ✌🏼😊

A post shared by The official Darya Klishina (@dariaklishina) on

5. Maria Shurochkina

The Russian synchronized swimmer is a member of the national team which has been unrivaled on the world circuit since 2000.

Apart from the Olympic gold medal which she earned at the 2016 Sumer Games in Rio, Shurochkina also possesses eight world and three European titles.

The 22-year-old “mermaid,” as synchronized swimmers are usually dubbed, is also the younger sister of the Russian famous singer Nyusha.

The post 5 Russian bombshell Olympians you MUST see (PHOTOS) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

From fasting to fish oil: Beauty secrets of Russian women

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(RBTH) –

Natalya Vodianova: Fasting and the right man

Panoramic/Global Look Press

She is often compared to Romy Schneider because of her wide transparent eyes. People who have seen her in real life often say she is the most beautiful woman in the world, although it is hard to describe why exactly. Russia’s most celebrated model, a prominent philanthropist and mother of five, Natalya Vodianova often says that real beauty is not about cosmetics or hair masks.

In her daily life, Vodianova has a minimalistic relationship with cosmetics: grooming by Guerlain (she is the brand’s ambassador), eyeliner and lip balm. Everything else comes down to lifestyle. For example, Vodianova is an advocate of fasting. And not for religious reasons, but because she is convinced that in order to lead a healthy and happy life, one needs to cleanse their body every now and then.

In addition to fasting, for more than ten years she has maintained a diet based on her blood group. “My blood is of the fourth type, and I do not have to limit myself that much. I can eat meat, carbohydrates, fish. The most important thing is moderation,” she explains.

She has always been physically active. She does yoga every morning and Pilates, jazz or modern dance once a week. She remembers that once her yoga instructor, Felix, told her: “You smile when you do the exercises. So take on any tasks, any challenges, just smile.”

“This was a revelation for me,” Vodianova says. “I even started to cry…I’ve really changed since that moment!” But even this, she says, is not the most important factor.

“I think that beauty depends on the man who is near you. A woman blossoms only when she feels loved, important, unique.”

Irina Shayk: Fish oil and Russian baths

Reuters

Until she became world famous at 17, Irina Shayk (real last name Shaykhlislamova) grew her own potatoes and cucumbers near Chelyabinsk, a city in the Urals that is populated primarily with metallurgists and tough men. It seems that such simple and nearly free life hacks are alive and well for many women in the Urals. Instead of spa treatments, they use traditional Russian baths. Irina found one in New York and goes there every two weeks in order to, as she puts it, “remove excess liquid from the organism and free it of toxins.”

Every morning, Irina drinks lots of water and avoids coffee, opting instead for energizing celery and parsley juice. She always bathes in cold water. “And if I did not sleep well during the night,” she explains, “I press ice cubes to the area under my eyes – that is how the blueness disappears and the skin visually becomes denser.” She swears by fish oil, which she believes is the most useful dietary supplement for maintaining one’s beauty. Fortunately, fish oil has long been available in capsule form, so you don’t have to drink it. Her favorite sport is jujitsu.

But Shayk believes one’s overall mood is more important than various beauty procedures. “I always say that you need to wake up in the morning and begin with a blank slate. You need to look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you are wonderful the way you are,” she says. “And then go read some books,” she adds.

Ksenya Sobchak: Mix creams and powders and do not eat anything

Ramil Sitdikov/RIA Novosti

Ksenya Sobchak, a journalist and the editor-in-chief of L’Officiel Russia, recently announced that she plans to run for president in 2018. She also revealed the “horrible mystery” of a long-lasting tan.

“Your tan will last forever if you give your skin pure Vitamin C,” she says. “The problem is that in Vitamin C creams do not preserve its qualities. It only works as disposable serum or as a powder. In the end, I buy powdered vitamin and mix it with cream. It turns out great.”

Sobchak also buys castor oil, which is inexpensive and sold in pharmacies and brushes it on her eyelashes once a week before going to bed. She is convinced that there is nothing better for maintaining smooth and silky skin.

Her diet is very strict. She eats whatever she wants but only during the first half of the day. She also fasts once a week. “On fasting days you must eat only green apples and drink kefir. This is good not only for the figure but also for your health. After fasting, I feel 18 years old.”

Renata Litvinova: Alcohol in the blood and on the head

Anton Belitsky/Global Look Press

It’s not just for great roles that Litvinova is called the diva of Russian cinema. The 50-year-old actress believes that the whole idea of endlessly caring for one’s appearance has outlived its use. She looks as if she has had plastic surgery but maintains she has never even had Botox. Here’s what she does instead.

“I no longer bleach my hair. Once a week I rub burr oil with egg yolk and cognac into my hair,” she says. “I also do a body scrub by myself – I mix sea salt with argan oil.”

She says exercise is good for speeding up the metabolism but that you do not need to go overboard. She advises 40 minutes on the treadmill. The actress avoids flour, along with fried food and dairy products. And every once in a while she goes on an alcohol diet in which, for several days straight, she drinks white wine, eats seasoned cheese and consumes nothing else. She claims the wine cleans out the blood vessels, normalizes cardiovascular functions and reduces nervousness. She says the cheese improves her vision and makes her skin smooth. Summing up her opinions on the matter, she says “life is so horrible [the actress lives in St. Petersburg] that I just don’t understand people who don’t drink.”

The post From fasting to fish oil: Beauty secrets of Russian women appeared first on RussiaFeed.


MUST-SEE: 6 blockbuster films about the Battle of Stalingrad

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(RBTH) – November marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet counter-offensive at Stalingrad. The Red Army’s victory over the Nazis in this bloodiest of battles is considered to be a turning point in World War II. RB looks at how Stalingrad has been portrayed in cinema, and there are at least six great movies about this historic battle that are worth seeing.

1. Nights and Days (1944)

This is the first Soviet movie about Stalingrad. Shot in 1944, the film is based on a play by iconic Soviet writer Konstantin Simonov and tells the story of Stalingrad’s defense from August to November 1942, which was the period of the most ferocious fighting. The movie shows that the “real heroes who stood their ground in Stalingrad were officers and soldiers of the Red Army,” not the Communist Party and its leaders.

One of the film’s main roles was performed by a young actor, Yury Lubimov, who later became director of Moscow’s legendary Taganka Theater.

2. The Turning Point (1945)

“A critical depiction of the struggles of war, it is a harrowing portrayal of the lives of soldiers away from home, fighting in ruthless conditions on the cold Russian front, unsure of how the encounters will benefit either side. The panoramic views of the landscapes and the dark, melancholy sequences of the dialogues, which are Ermler’s signature, are wonderfully executed and almost complete the expressions and performances of the actors,” said a contemporary reviewer, describing the 1945 Soviet movie directed by Fridrikh Ermler.

The film’s creators confessed later that the idea to make the film appeared immediately after the Soviet victory at Stalingrad, which at that time looked like a miracle. The movie won a Grand Prix at the first Cannes Film Festival in September 1946.

3. Stalingrad: Dogs, do you want to live forever? (1959)

The title refers to the words of Prussia’s King Friedrich the Great. “You cursed rascals, do you want to live forever?” Friedrich allegedly said to his soldiers when they were fleeing the battlefield in panic.

This was West Germany’s first movie on the topic, made at about the time when the last German POW had returned home from the Soviet Union. The movie centers on the lives of Wehrmacht soldiers and their allies from Romania before and after their surrender at Stalingrad, upon which they were taken prisoner. The movie’s director used authentic archival footage in the film.

4. They Fought for Their Country (1976)

This film by Oscar-winning Soviet director Sergei Bondarchuk stands out among movies devoted to Stalingrad. Based on the eponymous novel by Mikhail Sholokhov, who won the Nobel Prize in literature, the film tells the story of a platoon that resists the German offensive at Stalingrad in the summer of 1942. The famous Soviet writer and actor, Vasiliy Shukshyn, played his last role in this movie, and overall the film starred many leading Soviet actors of the time, including Bondarchuk himself. The cinema magazine, Soviet Screen, called it the best movie of 1976.

5. Enemy at the Gates (2001)

This movie is probably the most famous in the West about the Battle of Stalingrad. Made by French director Jean-Jacques Annaud, the film’s central conflict is a personal duel between two snipers played by Jude Law and Ed Harris. While the film was met with a mixed reception in Russia, it was praised for its scale and exquisite visuals. However, it was criticized for many historical blunders and clichés. “The budget of $85 million does not bring shallow characters to life, nor make the boring love affair touching, nor the awful dialogues natural,” said one reviewer. Another critic called the movie “unbearably kitschy” for a film that “pretends to portray…the greatest battle in the history of warfare.”

In another review the idea of the film was expressed this way: “Soviet soldiers are whipped to go to fight in a manner that cattle are driven to the slaughterhouse, and they are shot dead when they retreat by their own punitive units. They are dirty and miserable unlike the well-groomed and well-equipped Germans.”

6. Stalingrad (2013)

One of the latest Russian attempts to depict the battle was an ambitious project with a large budget by local standards – $30 million. Directed by Feodor Bondarchuk, the son of the creator of They Fought for Their Country, it was a box office success that grossed more than $68 million.

Despite being a financial success, the movie stirred controversy, and the Culture Ministry was asked to ban the movie because it “made Nazism look heroic and twisted historical facts.” A petition to forbid the film was signed by 34,000 people.

The ministry never publicly responded to that plea. What might have provoked such a reaction from some viewers? It could have been the portrayal of German soldiers; one review noted that they were shown as “humans,” with capacities to feel and love.

The post MUST-SEE: 6 blockbuster films about the Battle of Stalingrad appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Video of Sochi that makes you feel alive

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This three-minute video commercial for a ski resort in Sochi is a brilliant work of the talented Russian director Valeriya Travkina. Beautiful reminder to enjoy life and travel Russia.

Video text:

Fairytales are written by the grown-ups
To lure their children to sleep so they can awake themselves
and ask the silly questions…
Why does the sky fly?
How much sun is there in the world? 
How long does it take to walk to the horizon?
Is there snow on the Moon?
Where do the stars fall?
SB: “Soul searching? Sochi” 
Pinch yourself. Harder! Teleport away.
To forget universal truths, and the days of the week.
To recall what clouds taste like.
To celebrate every morning.
As the mountain is scraped away, the landscapes lighten,
regress to childhood and sing a quiet song.
leave the GPS and phone behind.
SB: “Can anyone explain why I haven’t been here before?”
To feel the voice of the wind seep through your chest.
Listen:
Tum-taka-taka-tum!
Your heart echoes – 
Tum-taka-taka-tum!
It is the rhythm of the mountains.
The Dance of the Universe.
The winding mechanism of orbits, 
metaphors, particles, reflections and goosebumps.
Continents, beacons, horizons, starships, electricity, trampolines,
Constellations, radiance, sounds, whirlwinds, gazes, waves, gravity.
They all reciprocate
When your footsteps spin the Earth like a spinning top.
The Galaxy splashes out of the cup.
Tum-taka-tum
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Billionaire Richard Branson’s business tip to Russians: Just say ‘SCREW IT’

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(The Moscow Times) – British billionaire Richard Branson says Russians will need to have a different mentality if they want to be successful in business.

Speaking at the Synergy Global Forum in Moscow on Monday afternoon, Branson drew on his own past to describe how Russians might learn from him.

“I literally risked my life to get my business off the ground,” he said, referring to his attempted flight across the Atlantic in a hot air balloon to promote Virgin Airlines.

Learning to say “screw it” would be the first step, according to the British tycoon.

“Russians historically have a fear of failure,” he added. “I hear that this might be changing now, and that is important.”

Branson has a long history of doing business in Russia. In 2012 he launched a $200-million investment fund to back energy-efficiency projects with Rusnano chief Anatoly Chubais.

Late last week, the business daily Vedomosti reported that Trivon networks, co-owned by Branson’s Virgin Group, would launch a mobile virtual network operator in Russia.

Branson has also been politically outspoken. In 2014, after Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia for meddling in eastern Ukraine, Branson wrote an open letter calling for a resolution of the conflict and warning against a return to Cold War politics.

The post Billionaire Richard Branson’s business tip to Russians: Just say ‘SCREW IT’ appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Marvel superhero ‘Deadpool’ may use this slick new Russian sniper rifle (VIDEO)

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The 2016 Marvel superhero film “Deadpool” broke multiple box office records, becoming the highest grossing R-rated film of all time.

The sequel, Deadpool 2 is slated for a June 2018 release, and the anticipation is already building with die-hard fans.

There’s already speculation Deadpool will be equipped with a badass new Russian sniper rifle, the DVL-10 M2.

Dimitry Litovkin puts the rifle through its paces – and has some fun plinking gas canisters along the way.

The post Marvel superhero ‘Deadpool’ may use this slick new Russian sniper rifle (VIDEO) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

Boxing champion Mike Tyson speaks in Moscow about his love for Russia (VIDEO)

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Boxing legend Mike Tyson has given a talk at Moscow’s Synergy Global Forum about the much publicised triumphs and tribulations of his storied boxing career and his story of set-backs to resilience outside of the ring.

Tyson become the youngest ever heavyweight champion of the world at the age of 20. During his career he achieved 50 wins, 44 of which were knock-outs.

Since then, he has faced financial troubles and inter-personal challenges but has recently been touring the world talking about how he overcame these difficulties. In addition to public speaking, Tyson often does cameo appearances in films and television shows throughout the world.

Calling Russia a “cool” place, Tyson said that he was impressed by the beauty of Moscow and said that Russians are “great businessmen. It’s proved by looking at Red Square and everything around here; it’s beautiful!”

He further stated,

“I decided to come here because I like Moscow…[The forum] seems pretty interesting; I saw my friend Oliver Stone here, so I figured this is a pretty good place”.

Film-maker Oliver Stone recently completed a lengthy set of interviews with Russian President Vladimir Putin which aired on the US channel Showtime as well as on other outlets internationally.

Now watch Mike Tyson’s press conference which he gave after his speech in Moscow.

 

The post Boxing champion Mike Tyson speaks in Moscow about his love for Russia (VIDEO) appeared first on RussiaFeed.

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