• Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 12:46 pm on August 2, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: ,   

    Russian Paratrooper Jumps From Apartment Building to Celebrate Airborne Forces Day

    A man in St. Petersburg celebrated Russia’s Airborne Forces Day (VDV Day) by jumping from a high-rise apartment building with a parachute.

    He landed safely near a fountain in the courtyard and reportedly walked away without injuries.

    August 2 is also Ilya’s (Elijah’s) Day in the Orthodox calendar. The Prophet Elijah is considered the heavenly patron of Russia’s Airborne Forces, which is why both holidays are celebrated on the same date.

    VDV Day is famous across Russia for paratroopers celebrating with reunions, heavy drinking, and the long-standing tradition of swimming in public fountains.

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 10:35 am on August 2, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: , artists   

    If HoldMyVodka ever had an official artist, it might just be Srulneg.

    The Russian artist blends dark humor, vodka, sarcasm and everyday absurdity into paintings that feel like internet memes brought to life.

    This one features a mallard smoking a cigarette, carrying a bottle of Absolut Vodka, flipping off a flock of migrating birds, and seemingly deciding that flying south is overrated.

    Artist: @srulneg_art

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 5:57 pm on July 30, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: , mayo, Tyumen   

    Russia’s Mayonnaise Mascots Are Weirdly Entertaining

    Sometimes I think I should have named this website Follow the Mayo instead of Hold My Vodka.

    At Tyumen’s City Day celebration, giant mayonnaise mascots from Russian brand EZhK (Đ•Đ–Đš) took the stage with a synchronized dance routine.

    The clip later made its way to Reddit, where commenters quickly dubbed them the “Russian Backstreet Boys.” It’s hard to argue with that assessment.

    Source: Reddit – r/ANormalDayInRussia

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 5:26 pm on July 30, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
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    Pavel Durov Responds to Russia’s Terrorist Designation With Guns, Dynamite and a VPN Song Russian officials appear increasingly confused about who gets to ban whom from using the internet.

    Telegram founder Pavel Durov said Russia had designated him a terrorist because he refused to comply with demands for mass surveillance and censorship on the messaging platform.

    Russia’s financial-monitoring agency, Rosfinmonitoring, added Durov to its official list of extremists and terrorists after the Federal Security Service accused him of facilitating terrorist activity and announced plans to place him on an international wanted list.

    Russian authorities claim Telegram failed to remove channels, chats and bots allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence services and extremist groups to coordinate sabotage and attacks. Durov, however, has presented the case as retaliation for Telegram’s refusal to give the Russian government greater control over the platform.

    Meanwhile, Durov reportedly added six assault-rifle gifts and three sticks of dynamite…

    Read more →

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 5:17 pm on July 30, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: anxiety, tv   

    Russian TV Viewers Report Less Anxiety Than Online News Readers, Survey Finds

    Russians who primarily get their news from television report lower levels of anxiety than those who follow news online, according to a survey by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM).

    The poll found that 32% of people who consume news online said they experience anxiety, compared with just 15% of those who mainly watch television.

    The survey identifies a correlation between media habits and self-reported emotional well-being, but it does not establish that television itself causes people to feel happier. Factors such as age, lifestyle and the type of news consumed may also influence the results.

    Source: VTsIOM

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 3:52 pm on July 29, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: instagram, , social media   

    Instagram Sticker on a Car Could Lead to Arrest in Russia, Lawyers Say

    Russian lawyers say displaying an Instagram* logo sticker on a vehicle could result in administrative penalties under Russia’s laws on displaying the symbols of organizations designated as extremist.

    The offense can carry a fine of up to 2,000 rubles (about $25) or up to 15 days of administrative arrest. Lawyers also note that if a court determines the vehicle itself was used as the instrument of the offense, it could also be confiscated.

    The warning follows several recent court cases involving Instagram logos on websites, business signs and vehicles after Meta was designated an extremist organization in Russia in 2022.

    Sources:

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 10:12 am on July 29, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: apps, , , ,   

    Pavel Durov Faces Growing Pressure in Russia Pressure on Telegram founder Pavel Durov continues to escalate in Russia.

    Russian authorities have reportedly opened a criminal case accusing Durov of facilitating terrorist activity. Russian state media later reported that he could face life imprisonment if convicted under terrorism-related charges.

    According to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the case centers on the "DaVinchik/Leo" dating bot on Telegram. Investigators allege that Ukrainian intelligence services used the bot to contact young Russians while posing as women. Those conversations allegedly led to further contact from people claiming to be law enforcement officers, who then intimidated the victims and persuaded them to carry out acts of arson and sabotage under the guise of "security checks."

    Several Russian politicians have since weighed in. State Duma deputy Oleg Matveychev said Durov should decide "whether he is Russian or something else."

    "His ancestors fought in the Great Patriotic War…

    Read more →

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 6:38 pm on July 28, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: , ,   

    Two Sides of St. Petersburg

    A video filmed in St. Petersburg captures two very different scenes unfolding just a few meters apart.

    On one bench, a man is drinking vodka. In the background, a woman in a glowing, fairy-tale dress is dancing in front of the one of the city’s grand historic buildings.

    Two very different evenings, same city.

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 6:16 pm on July 28, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags: , , store,   

    This small Russian shop has one of the most straightforward storefront signs you’ll ever see.

    Above the entrance, the business advertises just two things: “Household Goods” and “Computers.” Inside, another giant banner reassures customers that yes, they really do sell computers.

    Apparently, if you need a mop and a PC, this is the place.

     
  • Bear Witness

    Bear Witness 5:23 pm on July 28, 2026 Permalink | | Reply
    Tags:   


    Russia’s Strangest Homes Are Available to Rent — and One Is for Sale

    From a UFO in the Caucasus to a mushroom-shaped cottage and a retired Yak-40 aircraft, some of Russia’s strangest buildings can be booked for an overnight stay.

    Prices reportedly range from around $100 per night for a tiny fairy-tale cottage to about $8,200 per month for a 410 m² mansion near Moscow.

    The famous Moscow Egg House is the exception: it is currently advertised for sale, not rent, at approximately $5.1 million.

     
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