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History of Russia

The history of Russia begins with the emergence of the Slavs who appeared around 3-3,500 years ago, evolving from the Indo-European ethnic group. From the middle of the first millennium B.C. they began to move in to Eastern Europe and populated the basin of Dnieper, Dniester, Western Dvina, Oka and upper Volga by the 8th century B.C.

The first Russian state Kievan Rus’ existed for about 300 years. It was a federation of principalities, ruled by the Rurik clan. The development of feudal relations and the strengthening of the independence of separate cities resulted in political fragmentation of Kievan Rus’. In the late 1330s the Mongols descended upon Rus’ and it was put under the suzerainty of the Khanate of the Golden Horde for almost 250 years. The yoke accelerated Rus’ dissolution, but at the same time progressively turned into an incentive for integration as the economy and culture were reviving. Due to a number of factors, in the beginning of the 14th century, Moscow took the place of the political leader, which is explained by its favorable geographical position and far-sighted policy of its princes (knyazes).

17-18th centuries marked a new period in Russian history, when the capitalist system began to form, while the feudal system remained and even strengthened. The historical period known as “Time of Troubles” caused by extinction of Ruriks with the death of Ivan IV the Terrible’s son played an important role in these events. The social unrest caused by famine and strengthening of feudal exploitation sparked to such an extent that resulted in the first peasant war in the country’s history.

The era of Peter the Great became the time of serious changes, embracing all aspects of state and public life. The efforts of Peter I produced excellent results, although they were achieved by violence and exploitation of people. Their main result was the country's transformation into maritime power that significantly accelerated its development, reserving a rightful place for it among European states.

The reign of Catherine II is called "the golden age of nobility" and "enlightened absolutism" as the Empress completed the process of nobility’s transformation into the privileged class. The situation considerably worsened for the peasants: serfdom acquired the features of slavery. The increase in social conflicts resulted in the E.Pugachev’s peasant war, but its failure led to the expansion of feudal dependence. All this heralded the maturing crisis of the feudal system, acutely manifested in the 19th century.

By the beginning of 1812 most of Europe fell in vassalage from France. Russia and Britain were the only countries that posed a threat to Napoleon's plans. In 1812 Napoleon invaded in Russia with powers three times exceeding the western Russian army under the command of generals, but after six months of his campaign, the army, the strongest in history, was completely destroyed.

By the middle of the 19th century servile relationship in the country worsened and deteriorated: they aroused the landlords’ fears for the future, while the serfs had the growing discontent of their miserable condition. In the context of peasant unrest, particularly during the Crimean War, in 1862 the government, headed by Alexander II held a reform to abolish the serfdom.

In the years before the First World War 1914-1917, Russia's foreign policy was determined by the priority for rapprochement with Great Britain, enforced by the agreement of 1907 on the division of spheres of influence in Iran and Central Asia. This agreement led to the finalization of the Triple Entente- "good will agreement" of the military-political union of England, France and Russia, and Russia's participation in World War II. The internal political crisis that resulted in the February revolution in 1917 led to Russia’s recovery from the war. The revolution destroyed the old state system and established a new political situation. Power in Russia was seized by the Bolshevik Party headed by Vladimir Lenin, and the Soviets of Workers', Soldiers' and Peasants' Deputies was proclaimed the supreme state power authority. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was established on 30 December 1922. After Lenin's death, internal political struggle deteriorated, and Joseph Stalin, who established a dictatorship and destroyed all his political rivals, came to power. In 1939 Russia and Germany signed a nonaggression pact, but on 22 June 1941 Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union, thus violating the treaty. So the World War II began. During the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk, Soviet troops assumed the offensive and defeated the German army, victoriously ending the war in May 1945 by taking Berlin.

Stalin died in 1953, after that the country saw a certain policy liberalisation and the rehabilitation of a number of victims of Stalinist terror. The Khrushchev's Thaw came. The First Secretary of the CPSU- Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin's personality cult, held a series of democratic reforms and massive rehabilitation of political prisoners. The Khrushchev's removal from power heralded the beginning of so-called stagnation era - a period marked by the absence of any major upheavals in the political life of the country, as well as social stability and relatively high living standards.

In 1985 Gorbachev announced perestroika (set of political and economic reforms),by the beginning of the 1990s, the restructuring resulted in the USSR disintegration. A referendum held on 12 December 1993 adopted the Constitution of the Russian Federation, declaring Russia a democratic federal state with a republican form of government with the president at the helm

Russian Customs

1. Spitting and touching wood

Many superstitious Russians believe in the evil eye (an evil look bringing bad luck) – particularly bringing the evil eye on any compliments or good events. So don’t be alarmed if, after complimenting a child, their parent spits three times over their left shoulder, or touch a wooden surface three times (or their head, if there isn’t any wood in sight) – provided the parent is in earshot, of course!  This custom is also done if someone tells you about some success of theirs (for instance, getting a new job), or if they’re going on holiday.

2. Don’t hand people money

It’s widely believed in Russia that money transmits energy from its owner (including negative energy); which can be transmitted if the money is placed directly from the hands of its previous owner to the new owner. Instead, if in a shop, you will be required to place your money into a tray, and likewise, your change will be placed there too for you to pick up, as the link of energy will be broken.  I didn’t really think about how I was handing over my money at the time, but after reading into this, I realised that that was how I always paid – from everything to a hot chocolate in Starbucks, to a pair of shoes!

3. Never give clocks, scarves or knives as presents

Clocks are seen as an omen of parting, scarves of tears and knives of enemies; and so none of these are seen as a good present to give someone.  If, however you don’t realise this fact and you do present one as a gift, expect to receive a coin from the recipient – take the coin, as it’s as if the recipient bought the gift, thus ending the bad omen.

4. Always give an odd number of flowers

Flowers are an extremely popular gift in Russia, and as a teacher, expect to be showered with bouquets of flowers from your students on the last day of school.  However, if you plan on giving someone else a bouquet of flowers, make sure you know the rules.  Firstly, you MUST make sure that you hand over an odd number of flowers, as an even number signifies funerals.  Some people also see yellow flowers representing funerals, so if you’re unsure, opt for another colour.

5. Remove your shoes

Something that a lot of cultures consider polite, you should ALWAYS take off your shoes when entering a Russian house – the streets are dirty in large cities; and you’ll probably find that your host will provide you with slippers anyway.

6. Keep your glass half full

As would be expected, Russians are impressive vodka drinkers, and can often assume that you’re as hard-core as them.  An empty glass in Russia will always be refilled, so if you feel like you’ve reached your limit, make sure your glass has some drink in it.  If you don’t feel like drinking, just say that your doctor told you not to drink – no one will question it.

7. Don’t place empty bottles on the table 

Continuing nicely from heavy vodka-drinking, when a bottle is empty, be sure to place it on the floor.  An empty bottle left on the table is seen as bad luck.

8. Respect Babushka

The ‘babushka’ (or grandma) has a lot of respect and power in Russia – there is no point in arguing with them, because they will win regardless.  Also (as is polite in the UK), give them your seat on the metro, tram or bus because if you don’t, they may start yelling at you, especially if you’re a guy.  Again, saying that, when I gave up my seat to an old lady on the metro, she moved along so I could sit back down – Russians may have a reputation for being cold, but the majority are actually quite nice!

9. Don’t step on the grass

A common downfall of tourists, make sure you don’t step on any grassy areas in public places – especially in major tourist attractions such as the Summer Gardens in St Petersburg – as the police are known to closely monitor this, and fine you on the spot.  You will however, find signs reminding you of this fact, but it’s just worth remembering!  Another tourist trap to avoid is to refrain from taking pictures inside the metro and shopping centres as it’s illegal – you may get away with it, but then again, you may find a policeman behind you, ready to hand you a fine.

10. Avoid overly-smiling in the streets

The stereotypical cold, unfriendly Russian is partly down to their stern expressions; and one way foreigners are instantly spotted is by smiling.  In Russia, there is a saying that “to smile with no reason, is a sign of a fool” – and a person smiling in the street can often be thought of as drunk or mentally ill.  So before heading off on your Slavic adventure, be sure to practise your best ‘serious Russian face’ (that’s what I did!) – it comes especially in handy when riding the metro – a pout and furrow of the brows, and people won’t look at you twice!

Immigration Difficulty for Ukrainians in Russia

This article is currently building, we will write you how an Immigrant from Ukraine without a Visa and a Migration card can establish himself in the Russian Federation and what documents he will need to be able to live legally in Russia.

 By Visiting Russian Official Departments we will write a Review on the difficulty for an Ukrainian to Settle in Russia and the Easiest way for Settle legally in Russia on the Base of an Internal Ukrainian Passport.

Trying to Register with MVD Russia (St Petersburg)

To Continue to Disclose the 2024 MVD Practives inside Russia, I am now in Need of a Temporary Registration due of my New Working place in St Petersburg (Kolpino)

MVD Kolpino told me to go to St Petersburg for the Registration and there they told me  that they cannot register me before 1 month of Delay due to some documents (a contract that must be approved and signed by me)

Registration of Workers at the Legal entity office address must take place at Krasnogo Tekstil'schika street number 10 and 15 (according to Kolpino MVD office)

This is clear Violation of the Law on Migration Registration of a Foreign Citizen at their place of Stay must take place during the first 7 days after their arrival to the Renting or Owned Place of the Legal Entity. (A claim was send to MVD Russia for Clarification) due to the impossibility for me to send the Declaration online with Gosuslugi due to a Foreign Passport registered and the need to use Private Company working with MVD to do this Registration of Stay in St Petersburg.

According to my current experience since 2023, it is cleart that must be used legal services to apply and submit documents to MVD Russia, to avoid unlawfull practices or delay's.

Hidden Camera at St Petersburg Krasnogo Tekstil'schika 15 (Desk 102)              Talon for Registration (Krasnogo Tekstil'schika 10) Third Floor

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