Random Learnings #51
Though evidence is inconclusive and reasoning disputed, Khrushchev may have proposed that the Kaliningrad enclave become part of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Lithuanian leader Sniečkus declined because over…
Random Learnings #50
Sovetsk, Russia is part of the Kalingrad enclave, physically separated from mainland Russia. It's even further separated from mainland Russia as planes can no longer fly over the Baltics but…
From Here I Can See Russia!
Sarah Palin is often misquoted as saying I can see Russia from my house! - thank you, Tina Fey - but I can say I saw Russia from my rental…
Random Learnings #46
"A Peasant Leaving His Landlord on Yuriev Day" by Sergei V. Ivanov I thought that Russian serfs were essentially slaves - a belief supported by many English-language references - but…
World War I Era Maps
My interest in maps - especially older maps - has grown over the past few years, and on a Monday in late February I spent a few hours in the…
Random Learnings #33
Crimea has been a major area of conflict and disagreement between Russia and Ukraine since the breakup of the Soviet Union. The 2014 Ukraine Crisis say Russia essentially invade Crimea…
Civilian Casualties
Image: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/picture alliance/dpa/TASS While the Crocus City Hall was still burning, speculations had begun about who was responsible: Russians whom blame Putin for the death of Alexei Navalny; protesters…