Historical street section unearthed in the construction area in Vilnius
Archaeologists have discovered a 10.2-meter-long section of stone pavement in Vilnius, revealing historical insights from the area overshadowed by Soviet history.
Vandzenes Partisans and Their Supporters. The Tragedy of the Bloom Family and the Secret of the ‘Valdi’ House
The article discusses the significance of freedom illustrated by the actions of Latvian partisans resisting Soviet rule after World War II.
The man who deceived millions and became a legend: The dark empire of Sergey Mavrodi – Criminal with a Greek name
Sergey Mavrodi, known for creating the largest financial pyramid scheme in post-Soviet history, is both a controversial figure celebrated by some and reviled by many.
I want to fulfill the responsibility I couldn't write about: Seeking the suppressed sexual violence during repatriation
This article explores the historical accounts of sexual violence inflicted on women by Soviet soldiers during the repatriation of Japanese settlers from Manchuria after World War II.
For the first time, a spacecraft lands on another planet, Venera-3 crashed on Venus
On March 1, 1966, the Soviet spacecraft Venera-3 made a crash landing on Venus, marking it as the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another planet.
WEEKLY ANSWER ⟩ Johanna Talihärm: My sport was the ticket sales hit of the recent Olympic Games
Estonian biathlete Johanna Talihärm has become the third Estonian in history to become a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), following in the footsteps of two predecessors who were killed during Soviet occupation.
The Flying Objects of Aliens Turned Out to Be a Secret Soviet Weapon
The article discusses a 1967 incident in the Soviet Union where what many believed to be UFOs were in fact secret military vehicles.
This day in history. Khrushchev's report on Stalin irreversibly changes the Soviet regime
The article discusses the pivotal moment during the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1956 when Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin's regime, marking a significant shift in Soviet policy and society.
The Kremlin is dismantling the awarded Gulag History Museum. Meanwhile, the FSB can open prisons that evoke it
The Kremlin has permanently shut down the Gulag History Museum, previously honored as Europe's best museum, and replaced it with a propaganda exhibit about the 'genocide of the Soviet people' by Nazi forces.
The Good and Bad Soviet Era Artists? Art Scholar Elita Ansone on Evaluating Our Heritage
Art scholar Elita Ansone discusses the evaluation of Latvian art from the Soviet era and the ongoing need for a reappraisal of 20th-century art.
It Eats a Lot and Makes Noise When Starting. Nonetheless, the Gorilla from Škoda Plzeň Made History
Škoda Plzeň has built a significant locomotive, referred to as the 'Gorilla', that can operate under both direct and alternating current systems, marking a notable achievement in Czech railway history.
The history of the Ukmergė organization "Lietuvos patriotas": how the youth opposed Sovietization
The article explores the history of the 'Lietuvos patriotas' organization and its role in opposing Soviet repression in Lithuania.
The Moscow Gulag Museum will be transformed into a museum dedicated to Nazi crimes
The Moscow Gulag Museum will be repurposed to focus on Nazi crimes during World War II, commemorating victims of genocides committed by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet regime.
Russia transforms the Gulag History Museum into a museum for the atrocities committed by the Nazis
Russia is converting the Gulag History Museum into a memorial dedicated to the Nazi crimes committed in the Soviet Union during World War II.
HISTORY ⟩ The blue-black-white flag flew in Kohtla-Järve on the Republic's anniversary in 1961
The article recounts an event in 1961 where a young man paraded with the blue-black-white flag in Kohtla-Järve on the anniversary of Estonia's Republic.
Gulag Museum in Moscow to be transformed into museum dedicated to Nazi crimes
The Gulag History Museum in Moscow will be renovated to focus on the victims of Soviet genocide and the various stages of Nazi war crimes.
‘Soviet Genocide’ Museum to Replace Shuttered Gulag History Museum in Moscow
A new Museum of Memory dedicated to the genocide of the Soviet people and Nazi war crimes will take the place of the Gulag History Museum in Moscow.
The Journey from Which There Was No Return: The True Fate of the Dog Laika
The article reveals the harsh reality behind Laika, the first living creature in orbit, whose story was long overshadowed by Soviet propaganda that claimed she died a painless death after a week in space.
Do you know how churches and congregations survived the Soviet years?
The article discusses the survival of Lutheran churches and congregations in Latvia during the Soviet era, as explored in upcoming exhibitions.
Poland prepares a lawsuit demanding reparations from Russia for Soviet dominance
Poland is preparing to file a lawsuit seeking reparations from Russia for the period of Soviet domination.
This is how the deadliest sniper defended Finland's freedom
The article draws parallels between the Finnish Winter War against the Soviet Union and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting themes of resistance and propaganda.
Literature: How about an atomic bomb?
Kristof Magnusson's new novel "The Journey to the End of History" is a witty spy comedy set shortly after the end of the Soviet Union.
The Last Divorce from Communism is Being Filmed in Liepaja
A new series titled "The Last Divorce from Communism" is currently being filmed in Liepaja, showcasing the unique history of Latvia during the late Soviet period.
Raising Girls in Soviet Times: The Oddities of Sexual Education in a Special Textbook
The article discusses how a special Soviet-era textbook outlined the ideal characteristics and roles of girls, focusing on preparing them for domestic roles and societal expectations.
What Was Sex Like in the Soviet Union?
The article discusses the complex relationship between sex and the Soviet regime, highlighting cultural perspectives from both Soviet and American women during the 1980s.
The love of a musician in Soviet times
The article explores the romantic history of composer Dmitri Shostakovich and Nina Ivanova against the backdrop of Soviet Russia, likening it to a poignant love story revealed posthumously.
Dissidents, whose name is in the Cheka bags. Who was Juris Ziemelis?
The article recounts the life of Juris Ziemelis, a Latvian dissident who faced imprisonment and deportation due to his resistance against Soviet rule.
Soviets ran secret investigation into glowing 'jellyfish' UFO seen above Russian city
Newly released Soviet documents reveal an investigation into a mysterious glowing 'jellyfish' UFO sighting over a Russian city in the 1980s, highlighting the USSR's covert interest in unidentified aerial phenomena.
This day in history. The Lithuanian people vote for withdrawal from the Soviet Union
The article discusses Lithuania's vote for independence from the Soviet Union during its final days.
PHOTOS ⟩ The great-grandson of a professor who fled the Soviet occupation found his way back to his great-grandfather's house with a cello
A Finnish cello duo performed at Tammekannu Villa in Estonia, the former home of a geographer professor whose great-grandson played in the duo.
Of ten heads of state, only one made it through
Only one of the ten state leaders managed to survive during the tense period of Soviet occupation in Estonia.
Proposal on Stalin in Parliament
Member of Parliament Eeva-Johanna Eloranta has submitted a proposal for a memorial moment in honor of Finnish parliamentarians who were killed during Stalin's purges in the Soviet Union, with the Parliament's presidium planning to address the matter later.
The Nightmare of 1956. From Cortina I to Cortina II, who thinks of competing and who thinks of fighting
The article discusses the historical parallels between the crises of 1956, including the Suez Crisis and the Soviet repression in Hungary, and today's ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.
Small Land, Great History: The Legendary Landing and the Pontic Hero Fotis Kotanof
The article recounts the significant events of the Soviet landing at 'Small Land' on February 4, 1943, during World War II, highlighting the heroism of Greek soldier Fotis Kotanof.
Why Great Powers Did Not Conquer the Hindu Kush? The Secret Lies in the Inability of Afghans to March
The article discusses how both historical and recent military interventions in Afghanistan failed due to the unique challenges posed by the Afghan people and terrain.
The First Soft Landing on the Moon. The Soviets Won the Race, but the Brits Stole the Show
On February 3, 1966, the Luna 9 probe made history as the first human creation to softly land on the moon's surface in the Ocean of Storms, although the first images were published by Western press due to British scientists' actions before Moscow could release them.
Exit from the Stalin Era: A Book that Delves into Soviet History to Understand the Reality of Russia
The article discusses a new book that explores Soviet history to provide insights into modern Russia, recalling historical events such as a deadly police crackdown on protests in Novochakassk in 1962.
Andrej Žiarovský / The Key to Understanding Putin is Andropov, the Fearsome Head of the KGB and Leader of the USSR
Andrej Žiarovský discusses the life and influence of Yury Andropov, a significant Soviet leader and KGB chief, in relation to understanding Vladimir Putin.
Treated poorly by the West? "There have been countless attempts to engage Russia"
Historian Bastian Matteo Scianna examines the German-Russian relations since the collapse of the Soviet Union, dissecting popular myths about the West's treatment of Moscow using previously unknown documents.
He was Stalin's first associate, and then he was humiliated
Boris Bažanov, one of the highest Soviet officials to flee the USSR, made his escape during the early years of Stalin's brutal regime.
Soviet Union: The First Steps Since Its Establishment
The article discusses the establishment of the Soviet Union on December 30, 1922, formed by the union of socialist republics including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Transcaucasian Federation.