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Articles by Unfair Observer

That Was the Moscow That Was

If you lived in Moscow in the 90s, you'll remember this
opinion Unfair Observer

Russia's Powerful Pensioners Are Struggling to Control Unruly Youth Online (Op-ed)

Russia currently blocks 6.3 million websites, according to internet freedom watchdog Rublacklist.net.
opinion Unfair Observer

Why the Kids Are Bastards (Op-ed)

You’re probably expecting a chat about the hurricane that tried to flatten Moscow—likely an answer to Mike Pence’s prayers. But no.

Moscow 2016: The Prince and the Penguin

In Moscow, 2016 will go down as a complicated year. Perhaps it will be viewed as the first step toward a shiny, orderly dystopia. Or maybe it will go down...
opinion Unfair Observer

10 New Things That 2015 Brought to Moscow

Our guide to the idiotic, sublime, ridiculous, unbelievable and absolutely incredible year in the Russian capital.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Space Monkeys and Free Vodka

Russia suffered its first casualty in Syria this week, only the Defense Ministry said he was a victim of unrequited love.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: FSB, Dharma and Chuck Norris

On Monday, Moscow region businessman Amiran Georgadze got up, went to see his old buddies in Krasnogorsk City Hall, abused them for half an hour,...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Nobel Prizes and Shopping Bears

Last week, Svetlana Alexievich became the first Russian-language writer in 28 years to nab the Nobel Prize for Literature.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Yachts, Rockets and Jessica Rabbit

The news of the week was, of course, President Vladimir Putin's 63rd birthday. The event was celebrated with an ice hockey game — Putin scored seven...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Wars, Bus Stops and Praying Fish

So it happened: Russia joined the war in Syria. The Duma gave it a North Korea-style 162-0 vote of approval on Wednesday, and Russian jets began...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: The Day Russia Banned Love

While the world watches Russia's actions in the Syrian meatgrinder, strange things are happening at home, where the entire leadership of the northern...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Hawaii, Elton John and the Quran

This week was election week in Russia. High in the clouds, President Vladimir Putin circled Syria while Russia elected His vicars on Earth.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Butts, Breasts and Sports Cars

This week, Russia invaded Syria to fight for Assad. Of course, it didn't really, but this is not the impression you get from the news.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Russians Rally for Mephistopheles

This week, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev went to the gym and worked out. They also grilled Russian steaks on an imported...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: The Revolution Rides a Bicycle

Russia's disintegrating financial system aside (don't tell me you didn't see it coming), the news of the week was definitely the Vasilyeva/Sentsov court...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Yakunin, Stunts and Sorcerers

This week, the earth shook with the monumental news that Vladimir Yakunin is trading his top job at the Russian Railways state monopoly for a seat...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Morons, Spies and Superheroes

This week the ruble continued on its downward spiral, hitting half-year lows against the dollar and euro. Hello, Iranian deal; hello, devalued yuan...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Food Fires and Attic Mummies

Amid this week's dismemberments and bus crashes, the news about the presidential spokesman's wristwatch stood out.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Aliens Head to the French Riviera

The election season in Russia picked up steam this week with opposition candidates kicked out of regional elections in two regions.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Nightmario vs. Nazi Sex Symbol

The big news of the past week happened a year ago — July 17 was the first anniversary of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 being shot down over the rebel-held...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Poets, Landgrabs and Brezhnev

The New Horizons spacecraft reached Pluto this week, making the United States the first nation to tap a dwarf planet with a man-made tin can (they...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Selfies, Yoga and Fake Whiskey (Op-Ed)

Selfies, yoga and fake whiskey — another week in Russia summed up by the Unfair Observer.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Specters, Cults and Revolution

President Vladimir Putin promised this week to deploy 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles by the year's end — just to be on the safe side...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Trolls, Horses and Cucumbers

NATO made its move in the pre-World War III poker game with Russia this week, meeting Moscow's recent stake of 40 intercontinental missiles with a batch...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Foie Gras, Lizards and Astronauts

President Vladimir Putin promised this week to deploy 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles by the year's end — just to be on the safe side...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Princes, Students and Other Troublemakers

As U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel chugged Bavarian beer at the G7 meeting last week, lonely President Vladimir Putin...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Leopards, Bribes and Underpants

So it looks like there will soon be a war over football. Soon after FIFA boss Sepp Blatter — whom Putin praised like a firstborn son — stepped down...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Wehrmacht, Walls and Virginity

Russia losing the chance to host World Cup almost became the news of the week due to the corruption scandal unfolding at FIFA. Luckily, it was announced...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Russia Deals With Undesirables

With the May holidays over, it is back to the everyday war for Mother Russia.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Forbidden Love, Russian Style

The event of the week was technically Victory Day on May 9, celebrated with all the reserve of a royal wedding.
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Darth Vader, Debaltseve and the Kind Pineapple

Victory Day loomed large, but, meanwhile, a thousand small battles rage in Russia between the hosts of order and the forces of common sense. The latter...
opinion Unfair Observer

Weekly Wrap: Darth Vader, Debaltseve and the Kind Pineapple

Victory Day is looming large, but meanwhile, 1,000 small battles rage in Russia between the hosts of order and the forces of common sense. The latter...
opinion Unfair Observer

Russia's May Holidays: Bikers, Fascists and BBQ

A recap of last week's events in Russia by Unfair Observer.