Parents in Russia are reportedly leaving their kids to hold places in line at gas stations as fuel shortages linked to Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries continue.
Updates from Bear Witness
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Russians are reportedly turning to psychics to solve the fuel crisis.
For a fee, they promise to reduce gas consumption, magically turn AI-92 into AI-100, “attract gasoline,” sell $196 protective amulets, search cars for “energy needles” for $118, or cast two-week fuel spells for $209.
Fuel shortages linked to Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries have reportedly fueled demand for such services.
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Bear Witness
A Moscow woman has given birth to her 16th child.
The newborn is the family’s ninth son. The parents are also raising seven daughters.
The baby was born at Bauman City Clinical Hospital No. 29, weighing about 9.3 pounds and measuring roughly 22 inches.
Both the mother and child are reportedly doing well.
Source: Moscow City News Agency
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“Spiral of Gopnik Swagger,” 2022
Art by Daniil Kudryashov -
Bear Witness
A man in Russia’s Zabaykalsky region dressed as a police officer so he could skip the line at a gas station.
The disguise failed immediately: real police officers were already there. He admitted buying the uniform online.
Russia is facing fuel shortages after Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted refinery production, creating long lines and sales restrictions across many regions. At some stations, police cars, ambulances, rescue vehicles, and other emergency services are being refueled first so they can remain operational.
Instead of a full tank, the fake cop received a 1,500-ruble fine — about $20.
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Bear Witness
Russians have started renting themselves out as barbecue buddies.For 3,000 rubles — about $39, you can hire someone to join your shashlik cookout, keep the conversation going, help grill the meat, make a toast, and even play guitar.
Demand for these “barbecue friends” has reportedly jumped 3.4 times in a year.
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Bear Witness
A miner from Russia’s Kuzbass coal region flew to Thailand for a five-day vacation — and now refuses to return to his family.
The 48-year-old was supposed to leave Pattaya after five days but skipped his flight home, insisting that Thailand is now his real home.
After sobering up somewhat, he barricaded himself in his hotel room because he was afraid of Thai police and demanded a direct business-class flight back to Russia. When he learned the ticket would cost about 173,000 rubles — roughly $2,270 — he swore and refused to go.
Efforts to bring him home are reportedly still underway. Police have already detained him over an unpaid restaurant bill. To make matters worse, he was also robbed by some devious women he met there.
His family has now lost contact with him.
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Bear Witness
Russians are reportedly giving newlyweds gas as wedding gifts amid fuel shortages linked to Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries.A viral guide suggests giving 5 liters if you barely know the couple and up to 50 liters or a full tank for close family.
Meanwhile, Russians are increasingly searching online for how to make gas at home and how to siphon gas, according to internet search statistics.
Source: Gazeta.ru
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Bear Witness
Russian trash bloggers Irishka Chiki-Piki and Oleg Mongol have become the first people ever blacklisted from the city of Ussuriysk.
They are Russian internet personalities known for chaotic “trash content” — drunken livestream-style videos, scandals, low-life humor, and deliberately messy public personas.
After their show at a local club, city officials held an urgent meeting with law enforcement, prosecutors, and culture officials. Locals complained that the performance promoted antisocial behavior and distorted moral values.
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Bear Witness
About a thousand horses have been saved from slaughter in Russia because gas got too expensive.
Villagers are increasingly buying horses instead of SUVs to travel off-road, go into the forest, haul hay, and run small farms.
According to local reports, breeders say sales have jumped several times over. Some sold or reserved 7–8 horses in the past month, while before, one horse could wait 2–3 months for a buyer.
The reason is simple: in many villages, keeping a horse is now cheaper than constantly filling up an off-road vehicle like a UAZ or Niva.
A working horse costs 100,000–200,000 rubles — about $1,300–$2,600. There are still expenses: hoof trimming is around 3,000 rubles — about $39, horseshoes about 1,000 rubles — about $13, hay 2,000–3,000 rubles — about $26–$39, supplements about 5,000 rubles — about $65, and a vet around 6,000 rubles a year — about $78.
But for…
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