As the year 2016 draws to a close, many are heaving a sigh of relief. The past year has brought no shortage of turmoil to the world – war, geopolitical controversy, upset electoral victories, and crushing defeats. Often, the negative moment seemed to overshadow the positive ones.
Russia's 2016 was hardly easy. In the past year, the country has experienced a continuing recession, several tragedies, deteriorating relations with its Western partners, and an Olympic doping scandal. But there were also happy moments amid the gloom. The Moscow Times reviews Russia's 2016 in photographs – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
