My childhood home, Russia is the biggest country in the world by landmass. It has also been one of the most influential ones on global civilization in the aftermath of the 1917 Revolution as the first truly-alternative-to-capitalism model of society, Modern Russia is a blend of its communist past, its capitalist resource economy and the resurrected imperial nationalist identity. In 2022, it has been able to shake the foundation of the global international order yet once again as it invaded Ukraine.

Russia’s history is one of expansion, transformation, and resilience. It begins with the early Slavic tribes, whose trade routes connected them with the Byzantine Empire. The formation of Kievan Rus' in the 9th c. under Scandinavian elite, with Veliky Novgorod and Kyiv as key centers, laid the foundation for Russian civilization. Prince Vladimir the Great converted Rus to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, aligning with the Byzantine Empire, this laid the foundation for Russian cultural and religious identity.
The 1237 Mongol invasion by Genghis Khan’s grandson Batu led to two cc. of foreign rule, known as the Tatar Yoke, which profoundly shaped Russian culture, language and national character (European on the outside, and Asian on the inside). The rise of Moscow, the most Mongolized of the numerous fragmented city states, led to the eventual unification of Russian lands, and the end of the Mongol rule in 1480. In the best Mongol traditions, the 16th c. Ivan the Terrible establish the autocratic Tsardom of Russia, conquering the Kazan Khanate and expanding into Siberia. Falling into chaos and victim to Polish invasion after Ivan’s death, Russia reemerged under an elected Romanovs dynasty in 1613. Under Peter the Great, Russia became a European power, founding St. Petersburg in 1703 as its new capital. His successor, German native Catherine the Great, continued modernization, making Russia one of Europe’s most influential empires expanding from Crimea and Poland to Alaska. Russia’s defeat of Napoleon in 1812 was followed by political unrest leading to the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin overthrew the Tsar, took power from the elite and established the Soviet Union (USSR) along the lines of Marxist teachings setting up numerous autonomous ethnic republics. Joseph Stalin presided over rapid industrialization coupled with brutal political purges (up to 20 million people were executed or perished in forced labor camps, famines and mass deportations) and forced collectivization (up to 8 million died as the result of ensued famines). Under his leadership, USSR triumphed in World War II as Hitler’s army was dealt a deathly blow at Stalingrad in 1943. USSR lost about 27 million people to the war. While originally the USSR operated with the US and other war allies in the post-war international order architecture creating the United Nations in 1945 and assuring that Central and Eastern Europe would be within the Soviet sphere of influence after the war, the Cold War soon erupted between the US and other Western countries and the communist bloc for the right model to develop the planet leading to military tensions (the most critical being the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962). Michael Gorbachev attempted to reform the Soviet system by the policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) but the USSR eventually collapsed in 1991 leading to the independence of all of its 15 republics. Modern Russia, under Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin (in power since 2000) has continued to evolve, balancing geopolitical power, internal challenges, and economic transformation. The government has continued to monopolize the mass media space, eliminating political opposition, and exerting an ever greater control over the lives of its citizens, a process that accelerated with the war with Ukraine.

Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic, where power is largely centralized in the president, currently Vladimir Putin. The political landscape is shaped by a strong executive branch, state influence over media, and geopolitical ambitions. Domestically, issues such as regional autonomy, economic disparities, and social policies continue to shape national debates. Russia’s relationship with the West, former Soviet states, and global alliances remains complex, especially in light of its role in recent geopolitical conflicts. Despite political challenges, Russia remains a country of immense cultural influence, technological innovation, and economic power, particularly in energy, military, and space exploration.

Russia’s economy is resource-driven, with oil, gas, and minerals forming its backbone. The energy sector (Gazprom, Rosneft) plays a significant role in global markets, while manufacturing, agriculture, and defense industries remain crucial. Moscow and St. Petersburg are financial and technological hubs, while regions like the Ural Mountains, Siberia, and the Black Sea coast focus on mining, industry, and tourism. Despite Western sanctions and economic fluctuations, Russia has maintained a resilient economy, adapting through trade partnerships with China, India, and other global powers.

Russians are known for their psychological depth (the famous “Russian soul”), warm-hearted hospitality unseen elsewhere, and strong cultural identity. Though often perceived as cold-faced, Russians are warm-hearted, and value loyalty, tradition, and intellectual curiosity. A deep sense of patriotism is tied to historical struggles and triumphs of the diminished superpower. Whether discussing literature, philosophy, or politics, Russians engage in deep, thoughtful conversations, often over a glass of vodka or tea. Russia remains highly regional with multiple ethnic minority “republics” and over 200 ethnic and linguistic groups, many of them Muslim and some even Buddhist. The Russian Orthodox Church is once again the pillar the state closely collaborates with as many still see Moscow or Russia as the “third Rome” bringing the true Christianity to the rest of the world. While Moscow and St. Petersburg represent cosmopolitan Russia, rural areas retain a slower, tradition-bound lifestyle, with strong influences from Tatar, Caucasian, and indigenous Siberian cultures.

Russia’s cultural contributions are among the richest in the world. Its literature, music, and art have left an indelible mark on global civilization. Russia gave the world Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Pushkin, whose works continue to shape global literature. Composers like Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky revolutionized classical music, while the Bolshoi and Mariinsky ballets remain symbols of excellence. Russian avant-garde movements (Kandinsky, Malevich) influenced modern art, and Soviet cinema (Tarkovsky, Eisenstein) remains legendary. Orthodox traditions and seasonal celebrations (Maslenitsa, New Year’s Eve, Victory Day) are integral to Russian social life.

Russian cuisine is hearty, rich, and deeply tied to its harsh winters and vast geography. Borsch, a beetroot soup with sour cream, enjoyed across Slavic countries, can be accompanied by pelmeni – dumplings, often filled with meat and served with butter or sour cream. Blini, thin pancakes, eaten with caviar, jam, or sour cream, are a stable breakfast foods, as are the many farmer-cheese pastries (my favorite). Picnics often call for shashlik, a Caucasus-inspired grilled meat of kebabs. Kvas (a fermented bread drink) and vodka (consumed often and in excess of any common sense as a social ritual) remain cultural icons, with vodka becoming an international alcoholic staple. The Black Sea region (Sochi, Tuapse, and Caucasus) brings seafood, Georgian khinkali, and wine culture, while Siberia offers hearty stews and wild game dishes.

I grew up in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, located right before the Ural Mountains, which mark the border between Europe and Asia. Founded as a fortress by Ivan the Terrible after conquering the Kazan Khanate in the 16th c., Ufa became a regional capital with the communist nationality (ethnic minority) reforms in the early 20th c. and acquired a major importance as industry and science relocated there from the European part of the USSR in the face of the Nazi advance. Only now I understand how unique my home city is – the seat of Russia’s Muslims, it blends Asian and European influences. Its friendly residents use 3 languages (Russian, Tatar and Bashkort) and look European, Asian or anywhere in-between. Ufa is even known as a center of mysticism due to its unique history and culture. Moscow is the Asian heart of Russia, the center of business activity and power. St Petersburg represents the European Russia with highly-educated people and a rich cultural life, many museums displaying art treasures collected by the tsars. Starting with the “Golden Ring” around Moscow, many ancient cities, previously heads of competing principalities eventually subjugated by Mongol-leaning Moscow stretch all the way to Arkhangelsk and include such jewels of church architecture as Rostov the Great, Vladimir, the “city of churches” Yaroslavl and the “Great” Novgorod, once Moscow’s main rival. I have a special place my heart takes the Black Sea coast between Tuapse and Sochi with a temperate subtropical climate, beautiful green mountains and intermixed with the cultures of the Caucasus.

Russia is affordable outside major cities, with local food and transport being surprisingly budget-friendly. People are usually fascinated by foreigners, and are happy to show around, help or bond over a cup of tea or a shot of vodka. Cultural etiquette matters—a firm handshake, punctuality, and showing respect for history and traditions go a long way. Despite the current geopolitical tensions, Russia remains one of the most fascinating, complex, and rewarding places to explore—a country that both humbles and surprises at every step.