On the cultural interpretation of historical catastrophe Photo: Valery Sharifulin / TASS With a philologist, philosopher, culturologist, emeritus professor of cultural theory and Russian literature at Emory University (Atlanta, USA), we talk about cultural default, the forces of self-destruction of Russian civilization and artificial intelligence as a human partner in creating a new space of the mind. Mikhail Epstein.

Every year in Russia turns into the Year of the Groundhog - the same problems, the same “questions”, the same answers (18+) THIS MATERIAL (INFORMATION) IS PRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED AND (OR) SENT BY FOREIGN AGENT ANDREY VLADIMIROVICH KOLESNIKOV OR CONCERNES THE ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN AGENT ANDREY VLADIMIROVICH KOLESNIKOV.

Former municipal deputy Alexei Gorinov was again placed in a punishment cell - this time for at least 12 days. The political prisoner's associates spoke about this. The reason for sanctions against the politician was that he allegedly “held his hands incorrectly.” After the previous placement, Gorinov was transferred to a cell-type room for several days, after which he was again placed in an isolation ward. “He is sure that he will also have to celebrate the New Year in a punishment cell.

Military expert Valery Shiryaev explains Military observer Valery Shiryaev sums up the results of the year at the front and talks about key processes in the Northern Military District: negotiations, desertion, transformation of armies, the disappearance of “red lines” and the role of the United States.

In Russia there are no repressions or criminal prosecutions against those included in the register of “foreign agents,” Vladimir Putin said during a direct line. The question was asked by BBC journalist Stephen Rosenberg about what kind of future Putin plans for Russia and whether disagreement with the line of power will be punished in it.

The behavior of judges, prosecutors and investigators was programmed, and the authorities took care of this program Illustration: Petr Sarukhanov / Novaya Gazeta Half a century ago—in 1968, the year the Thaw ended—Yuliy Kim wrote “Lawyer’s Waltz,” dedicated to two famous lawyers and human rights activists, Sofya Kallistratova and Dina Kaminskaya.

The Hermitage “has so far refused to participate financially” in the case of its employee, archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who is under arrest on charges of “illegal” archaeological excavations. This was reported by art critic and editor-in-chief of the Tretyakov Gallery magazine Ksenia Korobeynikova.

UPDATED The death of Alexey Kostrikin was confirmed by the Belgorod Federal Penitentiary Service. The department reported that employees from the institution’s duty shift and an ambulance immediately arrived at the scene. But it was not possible to revive him. No signs of violent death were found. Alexey Kostrikin, a participant in hostilities with Ukraine, was found dead in a pre-trial detention center, the Belgorod publication “Fonar” reported , citing its sources.

On a direct line with Vladimir Putin, the president was asked a question from Belgorod, a region that suffers from both rocket attacks and UAV raids, and therefore regularly faces blocking of mobile Internet by Russian authorities. The question was related to the problem of diabetics and their relatives: due to the suppression of the Internet, the system for remote monitoring of the health status of adults and children with diabetes breaks down.

On the eve of the New Year, officials announced the indexation of utility tariffs. Twice Photo: Dmitry Dukhanin / Kommersant This did not cause any particular reaction, because it was expected. We are already accustomed to the fact that we will have to pay more in the future. True, two tariff increases are now envisaged at once. And there is a corresponding government order in this regard. From January 1, the cost of utilities will increase by 1.7% everywhere.

The procedure for exchanging bodies of dead military personnel with the participation of employees of the International Red Cross. Photo from the telegram channel of Vladimir Medinsky The exchange was confirmed by Vladimir Medinsky, assistant to President Vladimir Putin and head of the Russian delegation at direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul (where humanitarian exchanges of bodies and prisoners - military and civilian) were approved. The Ukrainian side confirmed the exchange.

The Central Bank symbolically lowered the rate , while generally maintaining “tight monetary conditions.” According to the regulator's forecasts, in 2026 the rate will drop to 13-15%, and in the next two years it will drop to 7-8%. However, forecasts are being adjusted. The high rate slows down lending, which is dangerous for the economy that was unbalanced after the start of the Great Patriotic War, but the high cost of loans is difficult for enterprises.

Shameful questions about the nearest “friendly” neighbors. Political scientist Arkady Dubnov answers State visit of the President of Kazakhstan Tokayev to Russia. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofiev / press service of the President of the Russian Federation / TASS In conditions when looking at the West should be disgusting and unsafe, not only Kremlin denizens, but also ordinary Russians are turning their attention to the East.

The Moscow Garrison Military Court today held a regular meeting to re-examine the criminal case against the former deputy head of the FSB department “K” (overseeing the banking sector), Colonel Dmitry Frolov, who is accused of receiving bribes in the amount of over 87 million rubles. from the management of Kreditimpex Bank. The retired security officer, like on December 11 , again did not arrive at the court hearing, reports the special correspondent of Novaya Gazeta.

The railways split into eastern and western ranges. And this reflects a strong imbalance in the economy Photo: Evgeny Epanchintsev / TASS The railroad has always served as a barometer of economic conditions. But the statistical figures for 11 months of 2025—loading 1021.3 million tons (-5.6%) and cargo turnover 2269.3 billion tons (-1.4%)—are only symptoms of underlying processes.