Jezebel: Russia

Kickass Teen to Be First American Graduate From Elite Bolshoi Ballet

Erin Gloria Ryan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:20:00 EST

Assange's New Talk Show Finds a Home in Russia

Anna North — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST

State-backed Russian TV station RT has announced that it will be broadcasting Julian Assange's talk show, which "will focus on his favorite topic: controversy." The Russian government are apparently big fans of Assange, perhaps in part because he hasn't released any of their big secrets — we're sure his new deal with their TV network won't dissuade him at all from doing so in future. More »

Adorable Doll Protests Piss Off Russian Police

Anna North — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:55:00 EST

Protesters in Russia say, "the authorities' attempt to limit citizens' rights to express their position has become absurd." So they decided to absurd right back — by staging a protest whose participants are dolls. The various teddy bears, Lego people, and South Park characters are positioned in the snow in the city of Barnaul, holding signs that say things like "I'm for clean elections." The hearts of local police, however, are not warmed by this display of plaything civic engagement. Says Barnaul deputy police chief Andrei Mulintsev, "Political opposition forces are using new technologies to carry out public events -– using toys with placards at mini-protests. In our opinion, this is still an unsanctioned public event." We hope he also repeated this in a teeny-weeny voice so the dolls could understand. More »

Doctor: Silly Woman Should Have Known I Switched Her Baby

Margaret Hartmann — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:30:00 EDT

The story of the two 12-year-old girls who recently discovered they were switched at birth has sparked a huge controversy in Russia over "birth houses." People are complaining that they handle too many patients and women are treated brusquely, occasionally leading to similar mix ups. Anya and Irina's families each received $100,000 in compensation, and they say they'll use the money to build houses next to each other so they can raise the children together. More »

12-Year-Old Girls Learn They Were Switched At Birth

Margaret Hartmann — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:10:00 EDT

When Yuliya Belyaeva got divorced earlier this year, her ex-husband refused to pay child support because he insisted their 12-year-old daughter Irina looked nothing like him. A paternity test revealed that he isn't related to the girl — and neither is Yuliya. Irina was switched at birth with another baby in the hospital. More »

In Solidarity

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:53:00 EDT

Moscow, Sunday Sept 11: A girl attends an Orthodox service at St. Catherine in remembrance of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) More »

Win A Trip To Russia To Pick The Bride Of Your Choice

Anna North — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EDT

An Edmonton radio station is hosting a "Win a Wife" competition, and it's just as bizarre as it sounds. Winners will get a free trip to Russia and introductions to Russian women, all sponsored by a mail-order bride website. More »

The Collected Works Of Vladimir Putin's Ex-Lingerie Model Private Photographer

Jenna Sauers — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:40:00 EDT

Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has hired a woman named Yana Lapikova as a personal photographer. She'll photograph Putin as he goes about his job, doing a little shirtless horseback riding, making his country safe for tigers and very, very unsafe for Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Lapikova's appointment has raised some eyebrows because she is a former lingerie model and runner-up Miss Moscow. That "is not a crime," points out Putin's press secretary, tersely. And, you know, it's not! And modeling — like stripping, sex work, or almost any kind of job that a woman does with her body — is definitely one of those positions that tends to have a long half-life on a résumé, and in the public imagination. Whenever a lady somewhere who once had her picture taken for a living decides to do something else with her life, the snickering starts. Snicker, news media, snicker. (Okay, I'm snickering, too, but mostly at those acrylic nails, because damn.) More »

Russians Deny Having Sexy Space Sex

Anna North — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EDT

A spokesman for Russia's Institute of Biomedical Problems says cosmonauts did not, repeat did not, ever have sex in space. Says Valery Bogomolov, "There is no official or unofficial evidence that there were instances of sexual intercourse or the carrying out of sexual experiments in space." Bogomolov also says the cosmonauts did not drink their parents' vodka and replace it with water, or smoke pot behind the band room. He cannot, however, speak for those dirty American kids: "As for American space exploration, well, I just don't have the information to categorically deny that." More »

One Third Of Russian Women Want To Be Men

Irin Carmon — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:25:00 EST

Okay, so the study lacks any scientific validity. (Our sources do bring very negative tidings indeed of gender relations in Russia. Says one participant, "In some cases, you just want to punch somebody in the face, like the men do." More »

Mom Could Lose Kids Over "Hot Saucing" Punishment

Anna North — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:36:00 EST

An Alaska mom faces child abuse charges after she forced her son to drink hot sauce — and footage aired on "Dr. Phil." If she's convicted, her adopted children could even be sent back to Russia. More »

GQ Reporter Naomi Campbell Asks Vladimir Putin The Tough Questions

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:40:00 EST

GQ Reporter Naomi Campbell Asks Vladimir Putin The Tough Questions" alt="Click here to read GQ Reporter Naomi Campbell Asks Vladimir Putin The Tough Questions" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/39/2011/01/small_naomi_vladimir_310111.jpg"/>

Today in media stunts: Naomi Campbell interviews Vladimir Putin for British GQ. Her opening gambit? "You're in pretty good physical shape. How do you manage to keep yourself so fit?" It gets worse (better?) from there. More »

Russian Prisoners One Step Closer To GTL

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:40:00 EST

A Russian prison famous for being even crappier than regular Russian prisons is going to make up for decades of horrible prisoner conditions by installing tanning beds within its walls. And Pauly D cries a single citric tear. More »

Russia Is The Divorce Capital Of The World

Katie Luscombe — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:46:00 EST

Russia is leading the world in divorces, with five for every 1000 marriages. Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and the Cayman Islands round out the top five. The U.S. places sixth globally; New York, Iowa and North Dakota boasting the lowest rates. More »

Vogue Russia Dedicates Cover To Putin's Mistress

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:56:00 EST

Vogue Russia Dedicates Cover To Putin's Mistress" alt="Click here to read Vogue Russia Dedicates Cover To Putin's Mistress" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/39/2010/12/small_alina_kabaeva_1213101.jpg"/>

Vladimir Putin's rumored mistress, that is. Her name is Alina Kabayeva, and she is an Olympic gold-medalist, rhythmic gymnast, and member of the Russian parliament. And the mother of what may be Putin's love child. More »

Master Skater Master Skates

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:26:00 EST

Beijing, December 12: Adelina Sotnikova of Russia performs during the ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final at Beijing Capital Gymnasium. (Image via Getty)

WikiLeaks Reveal Hidden Toll Of Bunga-Bunga Parties

Anna North — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:36:00 EST

The latest WikiLeaks scandal has rocked the world, provoked a response from Sarah Palin, and set in motion an international rumor mill. But we know what you really care about: what does this mean for bunga-bunga? More »

Black Friday Promises To Be A Great Day For Staying Home And Reheating Leftovers

Jenna Sauers — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:10:00 EST

Retailers are crossing their fingers that you will buy some shit on Friday. Pretty please? Sam's Club is opening at 5a.m. — with complimentary breakfast. Target and J.C. Penney open at 4 a.m., with the latter offering 300+ "doorbusters." [WWD]

Mom Stops Wedding By Accusing Daughter Of Terrorism

Anna North — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:35:00 EST

In a rom-com plot gone very wrong, a Russian mom told authorities her daughter was a terrorist in order to keep her from flying to Morocco for her wedding. More »

Bad Romance, Russian Office-Worker Style

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:45:00 EST

The headline says it all. Inexplicably captivating. More »

Hairy-Leggedness Among Russian Women: An Epidemic?

Lauri Apple — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EDT

I haven't shaved my legs in over a month, because it's cold and who cares, leave me alone. Does this mean I am a Russian woman? Maybe! They (we?) have stopped shaving their legs, apparently. It's causing major problems. More »

Vogue Russia Debuts Sexy One-Legged Pose

Margaret Hartmann — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:15:00 EDT

Vogue Russia Debuts Sexy One-Legged Pose" alt="Click here to read Vogue Russia Debuts Sexy One-Legged Pose" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/39/2010/10/models-in-russian-voguephotoshop.jpg"/>

Balancing in five-inch heels is tough, but model Alessandra Ambrosio has gotten so good at it that she playfully stood on one leg in the September issue of Vogue Russia. Show off! More »

The Other Russian Calendar Girls

Irin Carmon — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:57:40 EDT

Here's an opposition response to the lingerie-clad pro-Putin calendar girls. Alas, our reader-submitted taglines, including "I want you to tie me down and gag me like you do to the free press," came too late. More »

Female Journalism Students Strip Down For Putin's Birthday

Irin Carmon — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:00:19 EDT

A male alum photographed female students at an elite journalism school to honor Vladimir Putin's birthday. Taglines include, "They put out the forest fires, but I'm still burning" and "Vladimir Vladimirovich, can I be your co-pilot?" See, it's about partnership! More »

Mothers' Abortions Make Their Way Onto Schools Questionnaire

Irin Carmon — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:25:00 EDT

Russia's federal education system has sparked an outrage for asking parents of schoolchildren whether the mothers have had abortions. the survey has also drawn complaints for violating the medical privacy of children. More »

Getting Creative With A Hula Hoop

Margaret Hartmann — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:18:00 EDT

[Moscow, September 20: Cristina Francisca Bello Contreras, of Chili, performs during the Individual All-Around at the 30th Rhythmic Gymnastics world championships. Image via AP.]

Giving Linda McMahon A Run For Her Money

Margaret Hartmann — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:21:00 EDT

[Moscow, September 8: Winner Oleksandra Kohut of Ukraine, left, challenges with Yu Horiuchi of Japan during their final women's 51kg wrestling match, during the World Wrestling Championships. Image via AP.]

Russian Women Sure Do Love Their Fountains

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:55:00 EDT

[Granted, it's biblical there right now. Moscow, August 11. Image via AP]

A Nice Day For A White Wedding...Or Not

Katy Kelleher — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:04:00 EDT

[Ryazan, August 7. In this photo taken on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, a newly married couple celebrate their wedding despite the deep layer of smog from wildfires covering the ancient Russian city of Ryazan.]

Sexy Russian Spy Puts Celebrity Mugshots To Shame

Katy Kelleher — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:35:00 EDT

This newly-released, remarkably nice mugshot is the last picture taken of accused Russian spy Anna Chapman on U.S. soil, before she was deported earlier this month, which (hopefully) marks the end of her allotted fifteen minutes. [Image via Splash.] More »

Hot Hot Heat Continues To Rock Russia

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:19:00 EDT

[Moscow, July 27. A girl splashes in a fountain at the Alexandrovsky (Alexander's) Garden just outside the Moscow Kremlin. Image via AP]

Paragliding Donkey Is Going To Survive

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:25:00 EDT

The poor Russian donkey who was forced to paraglide along a beach as a publicity stunt is "clinically healthy" according to an official report. However, the police spokesman noted that "the donkey's mental state remains unclear." More »

Happy Hump Day!

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:57:00 EDT

[Moscow, July 21. A polar bear swims in the cooling waters of Moscow Zoo. A heat wave hit central Russia breaking temperature records going higher than 30 C (86 F) for the last two weeks. Image via AP]

Russian Sunbathing Is A Black And White Issue

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:14:00 EDT

[Moscow, July 15. Women enjoy sun in Kolomenskoye park. A heat wave hit central Russia breaking temperature records going higher than 30 C (86 F) for at least two weeks. Image via AP]

Russian Spy Case May Heading To Quick Resoluton

Irin Carmon — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EDT

The Times reports that federal dealmaking with the Russian spies will end this business swiftly. But the press is not nearly done mining the sexy spy's sexy history! More »

I Can See Russia From My House

Anna Holmes — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:10:00 EDT

[Washington, D.C., June 24. Image via Official White House Photostream]

Russians Use Boobs To Sell Insurance

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:20:00 EDT

A Russian company has un-creatively decided to use boobs to sell car insurance. The commercial, visible after the jump (and totally NSFW) shows headless women with cars painted on their breasts being groped and jiggled. It's a wreck. More »

Prima Ballerina Dies At Age 102

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:20:00 EDT

Moscow's Bolshoi theater has announced the death of prima ballerina Marina Semyonova. Semyonova made her debut in the 1920s at the Kirov ballet. "All Russian ballet is in mourning," said the theater director. [AFP, image via Wiki] More »

Heavenly Bodies

Anna Holmes — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:10:00 EDT

[Moscow, June 7. Image via AP]

Teen Girls Feel The Need For Speed • Hot Balloon Treatment Reduces Period Woes

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:20:00 EDT

• In a recent survey of teenage drivers, 48% of girls admitted to routinely driving 10 miles or more over the speed limit, while only 36% of boys said the same. Furthermore, only 23% said teens make good drivers. More »