He was one of the first to understand the power of cinema as a propaganda tool. But movies were also a form of soft power – a way to establish trade with the U.S.

Navigating Moscow’s “bowl of spaghetti” subway system sometimes baffles even locals. We figure out how it works.

Sitting before a long journey or clapping when a plane is landing... St. Petersburg-based American writer Benjamin Davis tries to unravel some of the superstitions and traditions of traveling a la russe.

These guys don't have the looks, they don't have the money, they probably don't have the charm, but for unknown reasons some ladies are falling for them. What gives?

While it’s not too hard to work out what Russians mean when they talk about Piter or Novosib, finding Glasgow, Honduras, or Barneo (with an “a”) on a map of Russia is more of a challenge.