Ask me anything about the Soviet Union/ Former Soviet States

[thegreekdog]

If the Third Reich hadn't of gone right whilst advancing though the Ukraine, to attack a city that had a name that pissed off Adolf, and had of carried on straight on to Moscow. Would Russia of fallen to the Germans if they had of taken the capital?

This isn't my thread, but I say no way.

We need to have more "let's debate moments in history" or "what would have happened" threads.

[2dimes]

My understanding is there is a Highway up to what you're calling Kamchatka. It's just not what you city fellas call a road. ie. Don't drive on it after the rain and ruin it for everyone else.

Edit:
I just looked the highway up. It goes to Yakoutsk and there's no train until 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_Yakutsk_Mainline I'm pretty sure there's roads of some form the rest of the way. Can you still get a car for a pair of Levi's? We'll trade the car for a boat when we get to the pacific. Sound good?

http://www.ssqq.com/archive/vinlin27c.htm

Sounds like a plan, though we may want to bring quite a few pairs of jeans.

Yeah it's kind of too bad that whole thing where the levi's had huge trade value has passed but it's likely a lot safer to go there now. I bet if you figured out the right item you could buy something for little investment that would have huge trade value in some of the areas passed Yakutsk enroute to Alaska.

Solar recharging lights might be a hit. Though if you planned on coming back in a couple of years they might be upset at the short life span.

[danes]

I met this cute Russian girl but I'm not exactly sure what her name was, i think it was something like Yanni, but I'm not sure, what are some Russian girl's names that are similar to that.

[Baron Von PWN]

I met this cute Russian girl but I'm not exactly sure what her name was, i think it was something like Yanni, but I'm not sure, what are some Russian girl's names that are similar to that.

Hmm that sounds like it may have been a nick name version of their name. I haven't come across any names that with "Ya"( YA is actually a letter in the Russian alphabet, this is what it looks like -> Я). At least not for women. So I'm afraid I can't help you :C.

Danes; you would be a zek in a work camp, your days would be long hard and monotonous. You would also be underfed and under-clothed during the winter (Stalin could have seriously re-branded the GULAG as a state run weight loss program now that I think of it). However if malnutrition and cold temperatures don't do you in you have a good chance to make it, they've already sentenced you so they won't be bothered to re-sentence you while in the GULAG. Chance of survival until Khrushchev; Moderate to low.

Yeah it's kind of too bad that whole thing where the levi's had huge trade value has passed but it's likely a lot safer to go there now. I bet if you figured out the right item you could buy something for little investment that would have huge trade value in some of the areas passed Yakutsk enroute to Alaska.

Solar recharging lights might be a hit. Though if you planned on coming back in a couple of years they might be upset at the short life span.

Once you got outside of major areas of habitation the Levi's plan might actually work. Outside of cities they don't get the same access to goods. This would hold most true for electronics. I myself am quite glad the whole situation you describe is over, as it was a manifestation of the rampant inflation and barter heavily replacing the money economy. As student living here off of a fixed sum of cash that would have been an absolute nightmare, also I like Russians too much to wish that upon them again.

If the Third Reich hadn't of gone right whilst advancing though the Ukraine, to attack a city that had a name that pissed off Adolf, and had of carried on straight on to Moscow. Would Russia of fallen to the Germans if they had of taken the capital?

This is a tough one to answer, my feeling is no. Most of the government had actually been moved east already, though Stalin did choose to remain in the Capital. The reason I say no is because whatever effort the Soviets put into holding Stalingrad you can bet they would have found a way of doubling it for Moscow. Even if they succeeded in taking Moscow I am of the opinion the Soviets would have continued the fight, at this point the war was not only about national survival it was about the survival of Russians as a people. The Soviets knew what the Germans were doing to their POWs and assumed the Nazi's would do the same to every Russian under their control.

THREAD OF THE YEAR 2010.

Thanks BvP.

No problem! I just love talking about Russia and the SU. Thank all of you for the great questions!

( when I make a mistake with my Russian my Russians proffs sometimes say I sound like Belorussian peasant).

Do they have a subway there in Leningrad? How modern / well maintained is it? What's it like relative to the Toronto subway, for instance? (Is it Gothic ... does it look like a place you'd set a horror film?)

They do! its quite extensive too, the lack of personal vehicles in Soviet Russia meant for very well developed public transportation. They also have tramcars, buses, trolleybuses(electric buses which use tramcar wires for power) this little minibus/vans called 'Matrushki' which are privately operated(a ride is usually 20 rubles) you can also hail a "taxi" which will more often than not be just any Russian with a car looking to make some extra cash (200 rubles seems to be the going rate). I've never been on the Toronto metro but I have been on the Montreal metro. Compared to Montreal St.Petersburg's metro system is much much better. The stations themselves are very clean, fare is cheap (22 rubles) I can't say how good behind the scenes maintenance is but everything runs on time and they are all old soviet era trains so I figure its pretty good.

The stations themselves are pretty cool, most of the Subway lines go under rivers so they run quite deep so descending into the metro is pretty cool. Allot of the stations have a neat Stalinist Neo-classical decor and you can find Socialist realism approved artwork all over the place. The newer stations on the outskirts of the city tend to be big airy tunnels, with artistically designed benches in the middle. so they feel like old school train stations and almost simulate the feeling of being outside. As you might be able to tell I'm a fan of the metro system.

[jefjef]

I had heard somewhere that German WWII bunkers are still discovered from time to time. Is there still a large amount of battle refuse like destroyed tanks and aircraft etc... through out Russia or has it mostly been cleaned up - scraped - etc..

Are there WWII battle sites that are of limits for the population to visit/tour?

[saxitoxin]

Compared to Montreal St.Petersburg's metro system is much much better. The stations themselves are very clean, fare is cheap (22 rubles) I can't say how good behind the scenes maintenance is but everything runs on time and they are all old soviet era trains so I figure its pretty good.

I've only been on Toronto's subway, not Montreal's, but assuming the two are rather similar I found this shocking, PWN. Toronto's was about the same as Los Angeles' - modern and clean at the best stations, slightly off but still okay in the environs - and I rather liked it but was non-plussed.

Here in the west we hear about the general state of depravity of Russian infrastructure. This provides an interesting perspective that a city other than the capital, even a core city like Leningrad, would enjoy public transit that was competitive to that which exists in a country like Canada.

Two more Q's:

1: If you can, be telling us now about the state of recreational infrastructure, such as parks, swimming pools, zoos, and so forth.

2: Have you been hearing conversation or thoughts/opinions from Russians there about reforms in the traffic police?

[nietzsche]

Who do I contact to buy a wife? Who has the most beautiful/more tamed?

[Baron Von PWN]

Who do I contact to buy a wife? Who has the most beautiful/more tamed?

You might try getting in contact with the Russian mafia, they traffic Ukrainian and Russian women. When you get the woman she should be rather broken as the mafia tend to use rape and drugs to break their spirits. If that interests you making contact with the Russian mob would be the way to go.

Also there are some dating services for foreigners which facilitates contact with Russian women who want to emigrate, you could try looking them up on Google.

I've only been on Toronto's subway, not Montreal's, but assuming the two are rather similar I found this shocking, PWN. Toronto's was about the same as Los Angeles' - modern and clean at the best stations, slightly off but still okay in the environs - and I rather liked it but was non-plussed.

Here in the west we hear about the general state of depravity of Russian infrastructure. This provides an interesting perspective that a city other than the capital, even a core city like Leningrad, would enjoy public transit that was competitive to that which exists in a country like Canada.

Two more Q's:

1: If you can, be telling us now about the state of recreational infrastructure, such as parks, swimming pools, zoos, and so forth.

2: Have you been hearing conversation or thoughts/opinions from Russians there about reforms in the traffic police?

I wouldn't necessarily say the metro is modern(old cars and way more staff than needed) , but it is clean, the stations can be quite beautiful and the trains are frequent (usually no more than a 3-5minute wait).
I would say the public transit is actually superior to public transit I've encountered in Canada, there are more options, its cheaper (even when adjusted for relative prices) and its faster. Which all makes sense there are more people and fewer private cars. I think the problems with Russian infrastructure is outside the major cities for example when I went on a trip to Novgorod I took a bus and the highway between st.petersburg and Novgorod was full of potholes, if its like that in European Russia not even far from St. petersburg I can only imagine what it would be like in a more remote region.

1.Parks and the like seem pretty well maintained (at least in St.Petersburg) they send clean up crews every day to sweep up cigarette buts empty garbage cans and you will often see workers tending to the gardens/grass. The parks often have nice statues in them (mostly famous scientists,artists and writers. Political statues tend to be in public squares or near official buildings) the benches are usually in good condition and they have nice mature trees that offer a good shade on hot days. Some of the bigger parks have stalls where you can rent a bike,roller skate or even a Segway. I don't know about swimming pools but there are many bath houses around the city (a Russian sauna) and there is a small theme park in the city which looks modern and completely safe. There are allot of Movie theaters, a couple opera houses, some theaters and even a circus. The city has an seemingly endless supply of museums and the like prices are usually reasonable. Tons of dance clubs and bars, the lack of safety standards can actually make these quite fun one club I went to had a swimming pool and a beach where people were playing volley ball also the clubs and bars stay open till 6 am or so. Lots of restaurants and cafes ranging in price from less than a hundred rubles to the most expensive restaurant in Russia. A warning though if you are Black, or look Central Asian/Caucasian you may be refused service at some clubs and bars and if you are a Jew leave the Yameka at home and hopefully you don't eat kosher.

2. Russians typically distrust the police they view them as corrupt and incompetent. However they (well some of them) also have some sympathy for them as they are so poorly paid. Most Russians I've spoken to wish the police would get pay raises so they wouldn't need to take so many bribes to support themselves. I've also encountered allot of frustration with corruption in general (apparently its impossible to get a drivers license without bribing the tester), and have heard allot of frustrated and angry comments from Russians who I have spoken to, this may bode well for some grassroots attempt to change things.

I had heard somewhere that German WWII bunkers are still discovered from time to time. Is there still a large amount of battle refuse like destroyed tanks and aircraft etc... through out Russia or has it mostly been cleaned up - scraped - etc..

Are there WWII battle sites that are of limits for the population to visit/tour?

Things like tanks and wrecked aircraft would have been cleared out a long time ago, though occasionally someone pulls a tank out of a bog. Anywhere where there was a battle of some sort even the most amateur archeologist will be able to find remains. There was actually a neat blog I couldn't find the link to by this Ukrainian girl who rides around old battlefields on a moped and with a metal detector finds all kinds of stuff (helmets, rusted out guns, bombs, grenades, remains of soldiers ect). To add to that Whenever they build something in Volgograd(Stalingrad) they usually uncover a few bodies which are repatriated at the end of every year, I believe I read somewhere that this year they found 80 bodies.

At least in the Ukraine and I suspect in Russia the old battlefields were simply left as they were after the war. There may not be official tours but the enterprising explorer can go out to where the old fortifications are and explore. This might be pretty dangerous though, old bunkers may not be stable anymore and there is a chances of unexploded explosives.

I know in st.petersburg they have a tour of the front lines of the siege. At one point in the tour they take you to a place where the fighting was so fierce the ground glows at night due to the phosphorous and grass has only just begun to regrow. In that area you can quite easily find little bits and pieces of rusted equipment.

[Army of GOD]

In Soviet Russia, Waldo finds you?

[nietzsche]

Lol thanks for the answer.

What do Russians think of Sarah Palin?

Now seriously, Is Russia a place to go on vacation? Sightseeing, how much time is necessary, in how long you get the feeling of living there.. I mean that's when one truly gets how is it.

[Baron Von PWN]

Lol thanks for the answer.

What do Russians think of Sarah Palin?

Now seriously, Is Russia a place to go on vacation? Sightseeing, how much time is necessary, in how long you get the feeling of living there.. I mean that's when one truly gets how is it.

Not sure. I suspect they think she is pretty stupid though, as most Russians were in favor of Obama.
Russia is a good place to go on vacation lots of beautiful and interesting places to visit it can also be a fairly inexpensive place to visit as well . That being said, when you go though bear in mind it isn't exactly a first world country so don't be surprised if some things aren't up to western societies standards. Also you want to avoid giving police your passport, photocopies are acceptable. Sadly Russians can be pretty racist/xenophobic so if you happen to be black or Central Asian/Caucasian looking you might face some discrimination, I would especially advise blacks not to walk around the suburbs alone at night.

I'm not sure how long it would take to truly get an idea for what its like to live here. Maybe a year or so, I think I have a decent feel after three months but who knows? I'm in a fairly sheltered dorm, haven't had to deal with the police and I don't work here so how much of a feeling I can get for day to day life is hard to say.

In Soviet Russia, Waldo finds you?

In Soviet Russia Valdo Ivanovich works for the KGB and he wants to talk to you about some things you said last Thursday.

[angola]

Angola: I don't know much about you so I will assume you will be an average citizen who engages in the daily toil for the glory of the motherland. Chance of survival till Khrushchev: Not bad

Excellent call. I am toiling away for the glory of some Motherland, not sure which - newspapers or America or possibly Russia - if you believe the crazed right-wingers in America.

Anyway, secondary question which will help me sleep at night - though it may have already been asked - is the Russian spy lady, who got caught in America recently, as much of a slut as she looked like in her Facebook photos?

If so, have you fucked her?

If so, what was it like?

If not, would you or how many beers would it take you to?

I thank you for answering our questions.

[Baron Von PWN]

Excellent call. I am toiling away for the glory of some Motherland, not sure which - newspapers or America or possibly Russia - if you believe the crazed right-wingers in America.

Anyway, secondary question which will help me sleep at night - though it may have already been asked - is the Russian spy lady, who got caught in America recently, as much of a slut as she looked like in her Facebook photos?

No clue. Though Russian women in general tend to dress much more revealingly than in North America, though my impression is they put out less.

If so, have you fucked her?

nope

If not, would you or how many beers would it take you to?

not many if any at all.

I thank you for answering our questions.

No problem I'm having fun answering them.

[angola]

Have you ever been to Bran Castle?

[Baron Von PWN]

Have you ever been to Bran Castle?

Nope I had no idea what it was so I cheated and looked it up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran_Castle. This is for Questions about Russia and the Soviet union!!!

[Dako]

I think I can hang out in this thread for a while too.

Erm, if you want a second opinion on the subject I can answer some questions too. (not for the sake of stealing BvP glory).

[Baron Von PWN]

I think I can hang out in this thread for a while too.

Erm, if you want a second opinion on the subject I can answer some questions too. (not for the sake of stealing BvP glory).

By all means go ahead! Also if you feel I made any mistakes, particularly about Russian opinions or attitudes please point them out.

[Dako]

I am too lazy to read the whole thread so I will just keep the pace from now on.

[natty dread]

Will Russia ever give Karelia back to Finland?

[Haggis_McMutton]

If i understood correctly gubernatorial elections in Russia have been scraped and now, in a increasing number of cities, mayoral elections are being made redundant. I think it's something like, the power is being split between the actual elected official(who really has almost no power) and a "professional city manager" who is not elected.
Can't find the article i initially read, but this one touches on it as well: http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=31768.

Am i misunderstanding any of this? Or are these guys not even trying to appear democratic anymore?


Also, what is the general opinion on Putin. Do Russians find his stunts and obviously rehearsed "spontaneous moments" as ridiculous as we do?

[Dako]

Will Russia ever give Karelia back to Finland?

I doubt it, not before the Chinese get us out from Siberia.

Karelias has never been a subject of argues for the past XX years - Finland just ask once a ten years to give it back and do nothing for that :D.

If i understood correctly gubernatorial elections in Russia have been scraped and now, in a increasing number of cities, mayoral elections are being made redundant. I think it's something like, the power is being split between the actual elected official(who really has almost no power) and a "professional city manager" who is not elected.
Can't find the article i initially read, but this one touches on it as well: http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=31768.

Am i misunderstanding any of this? Or are these guys not even trying to appear democratic anymore?

Yes, that is true that elections are getting scraped as a part of experiment in Russia. The thing is, to fire a mayor you need a tons of support from other government structures, and they introduce the new so called "city manager" as a simple hired person - it will be much easier to control him. But the downside is that government can push those managers as well and cover their work.
This decision seems very stupid and untrustworthy, but that is why it is being processed as an experiment right now. So far it seems to work and no one exploited it. Democracy... where have you seen it? There were no democracy in the Russia from the start. The bleak imitation of free choice ended on the stair of the local shop. People were not choosing the government and democracy slowly faded away. Same as it happened in US I believe. I don't want to go deep into the details as I have poor knowledge in this area, but that is what I am thinking based on my feelings and knowledge.

Also, what is the general opinion on Putin. Do Russians find his stunts and obviously rehearsed "spontaneous moments" as ridiculous as we do?

I can tell you my and my friends opinion. Most of the people still call him President and others think that he rules the country while Medvedev is just a new front-man. I don't know the details as I am far away from GR, but I think it is pretty close to truth. Putin has more influence in the country than Medvedev. As fort stunts - can you please tell me the exact ones? So far I don't remember any astonishing weird things he has done so I don't think people find him funny. Thou we joke a lot about his appearance and presentation speech-style.

[Baron Von PWN]

If i understood correctly gubernatorial elections in Russia have been scraped and now, in a increasing number of cities, mayoral elections are being made redundant. I think it's something like, the power is being split between the actual elected official(who really has almost no power) and a "professional city manager" who is not elected.
Can't find the article i initially read, but this one touches on it as well: http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=31768.

Am i misunderstanding any of this? Or are these guys not even trying to appear democratic anymore?

Yup you are correct the Kremlin now appoints all the regional governors. In some of the Regions they still hold elections and the Kremlin appoints the elected party, but to call these fair and free would likely be a stretch and anyways the Kremlin could appoint whoever they like if it came to it.

Also I've read about the situation with the mayors if I recall correctly its been happening with some cities but not all. In any case democracy in Russia is not very well respected, among the population and among the political class. That article you gave pretty well covers it. Its hard to say how free their elections are on the federal level, media is very supportive of United Russian and gives little air time to the opposition. As to the actual votes and counts I don't think they are by and large tampered with. At least I've not seen anything that suggested they were only that the race itself is unfair.

Also, what is the general opinion on Putin. Do Russians find his stunts and obviously rehearsed "spontaneous moments" as ridiculous as we do?

Older Russians seem to like him or at least be ambivalent towards him, they credit him with stabilizing the country after the 90's. Among the younger they seem much more likely to be critical of him, with one guy I talked to calling him a tyrant. Russians can be pretty cynical so mostly yes, if not they recognize them as merely photo ops.

Haggis: your inquisitive nature into the nature of Russian politics would make you a reporter of pravda. However you may ask too many probing questions and be taken in by the KGB. Likelyhood of survival until Khrushchev: low.

Will Russia ever give Karelia back to Finland?

I don't think so, I would be extremely shocked if they did. This isn't something that has been discussed to any serious degree. I'm not even sure the fins seriously want it back, with the current attitudes with each other they are much more concerned with trade rather than territorial disputes.

[2dimes]

This almost merits a thread it's self. Not so much a question just passing on bizarre news.

http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-03-06/scand ... arten.html

Before you click, two things to note. The people were male and thankfully they don't show any of the photos.

[saxitoxin]

I am too lazy to read the whole thread so I will just keep the pace from now on.

Guy, where are you in the RF, geographically speaking? You been to Perm on a visit at all? What oddities did you observe there, if any?

What's your FAV Dima Bilan song? (that's a Q for either you or PWN)

Guy and/or PWN: Have you seen this video of the Choir of the Moscow Military District? This is one reason I love Russians!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7RD5ONjv8M

[Phatscotty]

Why did the Ruble Crash in the 90's?