Based on reporting by NZZ The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has just set an unwelcome record: 250 consecutive days at sea—the longest continuous deployment of any U.S. carrier in modern history. The reason? The war with Iran. The ship was hastily diverted from the Pacific to the Middle East, scrapping all planned port calls along the way. Now, family members of the more than 5,000 sailors on board are speaking out—and they’re furious. Conditions have deteriorated to a breaking point, they say. Food is so scarce that some crew members have reportedly been given as little as half a cup of rice and two tortillas for a meal. Basics like […]

The holiday was established by an order of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation on April 3, 2020 to popularize geography and enhance the prestige of the geographer’s profession. The date of the holiday is not random: on August 18, 1845, by the highest decree of Emperor Nicholas I, the Russian Geographical Society was founded. The initiator of its creation was Admiral Fyodor Litke. Among the founders were Admirals Ivan Kruzenshtern and Ferdinand Wrangel, naturalist Karl Baer, astronomer Vasily Struve, linguist Vladimir Dal, and philanthropist Prince Vladimir Odoyevsky. Since its foundation, the society has never ceased activities, although its name has changed several times: Imperial Russian Geographical […]

Based on reporting from Military Watch Magazine Ukrainian intelligence officials are openly acknowledging what has become increasingly clear: Russia’s missile campaign is not only sustainable but growing in intensity, driven by a remarkable expansion in domestic weapons production. Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), has confirmed that Russian defense enterprises are consistently exceeding their monthly production targets, operating at 110–120% capacity. Even more impressive, annual production quotas for the cutting-edge Zircon hypersonic missiles and upgraded P-800 Oniks systems have been fulfilled in just seven months. This extraordinary industrial efficiency ensures that the Russian military can maintain an uninterrupted operational tempo, delivering precision strikes with no sign […]

This summer residence of the Russian emperors is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, 29 kilometers from Saint Petersburg. The idea for the country palace was conceived by Peter the Great. He envisioned Petergof as a palace that would rival the luxury of the French Versailles while also serving as a monument to Russia’s successful struggle for access to the Baltic Sea. Construction of the residence began in 1711. By the time of its opening, the Lower Park was laid out, the Marine Canal was dug, some fountains were operational, the upper chambers were decorated, and structures such as Montplaisir, Marly, and a nearly finished Hermitage were […]