5 surprising facts about Dagestan Alexandra Guzeva Nov 02 2026 Travel

https://www.gw2ru.com/travel/259149-surprising-facts-about-dagestan Russia's southernmost republic has a remarkable location: part of it lies in the Caucasus Mountains, part in the foothills and part on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Historically, an equally unique cultural and ethnic diversity has developed there.

What’s going on in Vasily Surikov’s painting? Natalya Kochetkova Nov 02 2026 History

https://www.gw2ru.com/history/259188-whats-going-on-in-vasily-surikovs-painting-menshikov-in-berezov This famous canvas ‘Menshikov in Berezov’ was painted in 1883. Its central figure, Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (1673–1729), is a truly remarkable individual. A friend and close associate of Emperor Peter, he was born into a humble family; legend has it that, as a child, he sold meat pies on the streets of Moscow. Thanks to his natural intelligence and quick-wittedness, he caught the eye of a Swiss military officer named Franz Lefort, a mentor and tutor to the young Tsar Peter, who took the boy into his service. From there, he soon became an aide to Peter, earning the tsar’s complete trust through his loyalty and diligence. As a result, he rose to become a generalissimo, an admiral, the first governor-general of St. Petersburg, as well as one of the wealthiest and most influential men not only in Russia, but in all of Europe.

Why did the Russians want to drive the British out of... India? (VIDEO) Gateway to Russia Nov 03 2026 History

https://www.gw2ru.com/history/259245-russians-drive-british-out-of-india-video In 1800, Napoleon and Tsar Paul I launched a secret plot to seize India, threatening the British Empire's global dominance.

Who is known as the ‘Russian Sherlock Holmes’? Natalya Kochetkova Nov 03 2026 History

https://www.gw2ru.com/history/259275-who-is-known-as-the-russian-sherlock-holmes His methods became the stuff of legend during his lifetime and, after his death, he became a character in adventure novels, movies and television series. Biographical details regarding the early years of Ivan Putilin are scarce: he was born in 1830 in the tiny town of Novy Oskol to the family of a poor college registrar. He managed to complete a four-year district school, but could not pursue further formal education. At the age of 14, he began working as a messenger; but, realizing this path held no future, at age 20, he set off for the capital, St. Petersburg, to join his older brother, Vasily, who was already serving in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Through his brother’s influence, he secured a position as a clerk in the administrative department. Recognizing that his lack of education was a major handicap, he devoted his spare time to study; three years later, he passed the full gymnasium curriculum examinations as an external student at St. Petersburg University. This opened the door to noble status and a professional career.

How did the Poles occupy Moscow without resistance in 1610? (VIDEO) Gateway to Russia Nov 04 2026 History

https://www.gw2ru.com/history/259309-how-did-the-poles-occupy-moscow-without-resistance-in-1610-video On November 4, Russia celebrates National Unity Day, marking the liberation of the capital from Polish-Lithuanian forces. But, how did they end up there in the first place? 'Gateway to Russia' explains...

The Russian ‘Time of Troubles’ in paintings Boris Egorov Nov 04 2026 History

https://www.gw2ru.com/history/259307-the-russian-time-of-troubles-in-paintings ‘Smuta’ or the ‘Time of Troubles’ was a period of severe political crisis in Russian history. Rulers succeeded one another on the throne in rapid succession, imposters vied for power and foreign troops roamed the country as if they were at home.

What lengths did people go to in the USSR to get an apartment? Natalya Kochetkova Nov 05 2026 History

https://www.gw2ru.com/history/259374-what-lengths-did-people-go-to-in-the-ussr-to-get-an-apartment The housing issue has been one of the main life problems for millions. “People are like people. They love money… The housing problem only spoiled it…" says Woland, one of the antagonists in ‘The Master and Margarita’, about Muscovites in the 1930s In a system where private property rights for real estate did not exist and apartments were allocated by the state, it was extremely difficult to secure one’s own living space. People waited in line for years or even decades for an apartment. This situation gave rise to many inventive schemes that Soviet citizens undertook in order to improve their living conditions.