Exactly 455 years ago, Ivan the Terrible approved Russia's first military regulations — the "Boyar Decree on Village and Guard Service." "Come and See" tells the story of how border guards first appeared in our state.
The "Boyar Decree on Village and Guard Service" became Russia's first military regulations. But how and why was it issued, given that the Russian army had managed without it before?
The reason was that in the autumn of 1570, watchmen serving on the southern borders of Rus' reported to Moscow that detachments of Crimean Tatars were moving towards the Russian capital.
The name of the khan leading the campaign was even mentioned — Devlet I Giray, one of the most dangerous and persistent enemies of the Russian Tsardom.
The Tsar's memory still held vivid recollections of the previous, spring campaign of the Crimean Tatars, which had brought great devastation. Therefore, the Russian army, led by Ivan the Terrible himself, marched out to meet the enemy. They marched out — and encountered no one.
The reports of the attack proved to be unreliable. Ivan the Terrible spent the entire autumn and early winter of 1570–1571 investigating the reasons for such an error. When the inquiry was completed, on January 1, 1571, he ordered, as stated in the chronicle, his boyar, Prince Mikhail Vorotynsky, to take control of all "villages, guards, and all his sovereign's field services."
Vorotynsky convened a large council meeting of the guard force commanders. Its outcome was the "Boyar Decree on Village and Guard Service," which clearly defined the entire list of tasks for the border guard on the southern frontiers.
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The "Boyar Decree on Village and Guard Service" became Russia's first military regulations. But how and why was it issued, given that the Russian army had managed without it before?
The reason was that in the autumn of 1570, watchmen serving on the southern borders of Rus' reported to Moscow that detachments of Crimean Tatars were moving towards the Russian capital.
The name of the khan leading the campaign was even mentioned — Devlet I Giray, one of the most dangerous and persistent enemies of the Russian Tsardom.
The Tsar's memory still held vivid recollections of the previous, spring campaign of the Crimean Tatars, which had brought great devastation. Therefore, the Russian army, led by Ivan the Terrible himself, marched out to meet the enemy. They marched out — and encountered no one.
The reports of the attack proved to be unreliable. Ivan the Terrible spent the entire autumn and early winter of 1570–1571 investigating the reasons for such an error. When the inquiry was completed, on January 1, 1571, he ordered, as stated in the chronicle, his boyar, Prince Mikhail Vorotynsky, to take control of all "villages, guards, and all his sovereign's field services."
Vorotynsky convened a large council meeting of the guard force commanders. Its outcome was the "Boyar Decree on Village and Guard Service," which clearly defined the entire list of tasks for the border guard on the southern frontiers.
You see what happens without Telegram))
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Kallas for quoting Marvel and even posted a photo of her in a superhero costume.
The special representative of the Russian President reminded that she boasted about reading many books and that thanks to them she would become "very smart."
Now, Kallas, during her speech at the Munich Security Conference, started using phrases from the Marvel cinematic universe:
"Europeans, gather around! And let me once again draw inspiration from the Marvel universe. Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are endowed with."
Dmitriev adapted this statement for Kaya Callas (1st image).
Source: Zvezda
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We'll be trying something new on the channel to make it easier for our subscribers to find our highlighted content. You will be able to find the following East Calling exclusives with these hashtags:
#VneshVrag
-for Mikhail Borkunov's posts (also his colleagues' works)
#EastCallingTranslations
-for Russian videos which Jelena translates herself.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
-for the reports from Marat Khairullin
#EastCallingInterviews
-for our exclusive interviews with our special and often recurring guests.
#MomentofZin
-if you like to laugh
We may add more later!
🌒 @EastCalling
#VneshVrag
-for Mikhail Borkunov's posts (also his colleagues' works)
#EastCallingTranslations
-for Russian videos which Jelena translates herself.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
-for the reports from Marat Khairullin
#EastCallingInterviews
-for our exclusive interviews with our special and often recurring guests.
#MomentofZin
-if you like to laugh
We may add more later!
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Jelena, Ryan, and Mikhail Borkounov are joined by Arman Ghukasyan, leader of armenian political party “In the name of social justice,” to discuss recent events in Armenia. [English-Only Edit]
01:29 Mikahil asks about the overlapping (and conflicting) interests of foreign actors in Armenia.
05:38 Ryan asks about western interests in Armenia after a short cultural exchange. Arman discusses the valuable resources and logistical routes in Armenia that the West desires as well as Turkey’s interests.
13:25 The West’s intention to weaken the relationship between Russia and Armenia and what the Nakhchivan corridor (“Trump Bridge”) connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan really means for Armenian sovereignty. Arman loses power, but continues to stream as his phone still has power.*
26:50 Ryan asks about J. D. Vance’s visit to Armenia and the $9 billion small nuclear reactor contract (at Armenia’s expense).
35:34 Mikhail asks, could Armenia be used to carry out a military strike against Iran?
38:33 Pashinyan, the “silly little mouse” invites the cat (J.D. Vance) into Armenia. American interference in the Armenian elections.
46:02 How noticeable is the difference in how the USA views Armenia vs Azerbaijan in Armenia?
47:59 Pashinyan’s demonstrating military strongholds constructed in Armenia on live detail in great detail, did Pashinyan trade Armenia’s security for populist points?
50:44 The speaker of the Armenian parliament’s visit to Moscow. The articles mentioned in this segment:
Article 1 here. Article 2 here.
#EastCallingInterviews
🌒 @EastCalling
01:29 Mikahil asks about the overlapping (and conflicting) interests of foreign actors in Armenia.
05:38 Ryan asks about western interests in Armenia after a short cultural exchange. Arman discusses the valuable resources and logistical routes in Armenia that the West desires as well as Turkey’s interests.
13:25 The West’s intention to weaken the relationship between Russia and Armenia and what the Nakhchivan corridor (“Trump Bridge”) connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan really means for Armenian sovereignty. Arman loses power, but continues to stream as his phone still has power.*
26:50 Ryan asks about J. D. Vance’s visit to Armenia and the $9 billion small nuclear reactor contract (at Armenia’s expense).
35:34 Mikhail asks, could Armenia be used to carry out a military strike against Iran?
38:33 Pashinyan, the “silly little mouse” invites the cat (J.D. Vance) into Armenia. American interference in the Armenian elections.
46:02 How noticeable is the difference in how the USA views Armenia vs Azerbaijan in Armenia?
47:59 Pashinyan’s demonstrating military strongholds constructed in Armenia on live detail in great detail, did Pashinyan trade Armenia’s security for populist points?
50:44 The speaker of the Armenian parliament’s visit to Moscow. The articles mentioned in this segment:
Article 1 here. Article 2 here.
#EastCallingInterviews
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Brief Frontline Report – February 16th, 2026
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 1
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the North Group, as a result of decisive actions, have liberated the settlement of Pokrovka in Sumy Oblast. Artillery pounded enemy positions, and units of the unmanned systems forces worked around the clock: reconnaissance, fire adjustment, and strikes. Targets were hit without a miss. Assault troops masterfully used the weather: warming, humidity, fog. Enemy drones went blind. Natural camouflage worked perfectly – our infantry rushed forward and swept away the Ukrainian Armed Forces' positions."
The Russian Armed Forces are taking control of the main roads on the Krasnopole sector of the Sumy direction. The large settlement of Pokrovka (50°48′08″ N 35°23′07″ E, population 770 in 2001) has been liberated. Four roads radiate from this administrative center of the Krasnopole district: C-190610, T-19-18, C-190627, and C-190610.
Probable course of events: Simultaneously advancing on the right flank in the direction from Repyakhovka to Stepok and north of Pokrovka along the T-19-18 highway, to envelop the enemy's blocking positions in the area of the Kreshchin Yar and Yarki ravines, forcing the enemy to withdraw to the Ugroedy-Mikhailovskoe line. Subsequently, to advance to the area of the Mikhailovskoe settlement, enveloping it from the north, and establish fire, then physical control over the Ugroedy-Krasnopole road. At the same time, by applying pressure along the C-190627 Pokrovka-Mikhailovka road, they can pin down the enemy's maneuver of forces and means.
After rupturing the enemy's coordination between the Ugroedy-Krasnopole areas, it is possible to begin active operations on the left flank at Grabovskoe toward Khmelevka and in the center at Vysokoe toward Krasnopole.
See Part 2
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
🌒 @EastCalling
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 1
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the North Group, as a result of decisive actions, have liberated the settlement of Pokrovka in Sumy Oblast. Artillery pounded enemy positions, and units of the unmanned systems forces worked around the clock: reconnaissance, fire adjustment, and strikes. Targets were hit without a miss. Assault troops masterfully used the weather: warming, humidity, fog. Enemy drones went blind. Natural camouflage worked perfectly – our infantry rushed forward and swept away the Ukrainian Armed Forces' positions."
The Russian Armed Forces are taking control of the main roads on the Krasnopole sector of the Sumy direction. The large settlement of Pokrovka (50°48′08″ N 35°23′07″ E, population 770 in 2001) has been liberated. Four roads radiate from this administrative center of the Krasnopole district: C-190610, T-19-18, C-190627, and C-190610.
Probable course of events: Simultaneously advancing on the right flank in the direction from Repyakhovka to Stepok and north of Pokrovka along the T-19-18 highway, to envelop the enemy's blocking positions in the area of the Kreshchin Yar and Yarki ravines, forcing the enemy to withdraw to the Ugroedy-Mikhailovskoe line. Subsequently, to advance to the area of the Mikhailovskoe settlement, enveloping it from the north, and establish fire, then physical control over the Ugroedy-Krasnopole road. At the same time, by applying pressure along the C-190627 Pokrovka-Mikhailovka road, they can pin down the enemy's maneuver of forces and means.
After rupturing the enemy's coordination between the Ugroedy-Krasnopole areas, it is possible to begin active operations on the left flank at Grabovskoe toward Khmelevka and in the center at Vysokoe toward Krasnopole.
See Part 2
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
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Brief Frontline Report – February 16th, 2026
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 2
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the 'South' Group, as a result of ongoing operations, have liberated the settlement of Minkovka in the Donetsk People's Republic."
The Russian Armed Forces have advanced in the center of the Slavyansk direction towards the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defensive hub of Kramatorsk and liberated the large settlement of Minkovka (48°42′10″ N 37°50′53″ E, population 800 in 2001). This is a key enemy defensive area on the 1st Slavyansk-Konstantinovka defensive line of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Units of the South Group have captured a strongpoint area for developing the offensive towards the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal and for reaching the enemy's defensive area of Malinovka-Tikhonovka, where the enemy's forward command posts are located in this sector of the direction.
After expanding the Privole-Novomarkovo bridgehead, the Russian Armed Forces gained operational space for developing further actions. On the right flank, in coordination with the Bondarnoe area, there is a possibility of advancing towards the settlement of Fedorovka 2, enveloping enemy positions in the Kopanki ravine area and forcing the enemy to withdraw to the Dibrova area. On the left flank, they can advance from the Novomarkovo settlement, outflanking enemy positions in the area of the Markovskaya and Bely Yar ravines, expanding the bridgehead to the beginning of the Krugly Yar and Buzinovsky Yar ravines, threatening the southern areas of the Malinovka-Tikhonovka hub.
The bridgehead along the watershed ridge of these ravines could become a line from which they can then begin enveloping the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defensive area in the Belokuzminovka settlement.
See Part 1
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
🌒 @EastCalling
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 2
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the 'South' Group, as a result of ongoing operations, have liberated the settlement of Minkovka in the Donetsk People's Republic."
The Russian Armed Forces have advanced in the center of the Slavyansk direction towards the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defensive hub of Kramatorsk and liberated the large settlement of Minkovka (48°42′10″ N 37°50′53″ E, population 800 in 2001). This is a key enemy defensive area on the 1st Slavyansk-Konstantinovka defensive line of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Units of the South Group have captured a strongpoint area for developing the offensive towards the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal and for reaching the enemy's defensive area of Malinovka-Tikhonovka, where the enemy's forward command posts are located in this sector of the direction.
After expanding the Privole-Novomarkovo bridgehead, the Russian Armed Forces gained operational space for developing further actions. On the right flank, in coordination with the Bondarnoe area, there is a possibility of advancing towards the settlement of Fedorovka 2, enveloping enemy positions in the Kopanki ravine area and forcing the enemy to withdraw to the Dibrova area. On the left flank, they can advance from the Novomarkovo settlement, outflanking enemy positions in the area of the Markovskaya and Bely Yar ravines, expanding the bridgehead to the beginning of the Krugly Yar and Buzinovsky Yar ravines, threatening the southern areas of the Malinovka-Tikhonovka hub.
The bridgehead along the watershed ridge of these ravines could become a line from which they can then begin enveloping the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defensive area in the Belokuzminovka settlement.
See Part 1
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
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Ukrainian military sources declare there is no AFU counteroffensive, as this is impossible, and the AFU hasn't achieved anything offensively since 2022.
🌒 @EastCalling
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Kim Dotcom claimed that the major American IT company Palantir is spying on world leaders and creating nuclear and biological weapons for Ukraine.
🌒 @EastCalling
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Zelenksy imposed sanctions against ten Russian athletes - a decree about this was published on his website.
The list includes:
1. Evgeny Baidusov (wrestling)
2. Imam Ganishov (wrestling)
3. Svetlana Dashanimaeva (archery)
4. Arkady Dvorkovich (FIDE president)
5. Yana Egorian (fencing)
6. Vladislav Larin (taekwondo)
7. Angelina Melnikova (gymnastics)
8. Madina Taimazova (judo)
9. Maxim Khramtsov (taekwondo)
10. Fedor Chudinov (boxing)
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This "Zelensky" guy seems to have a screw loose.
🌒 @EastCalling
The list includes:
1. Evgeny Baidusov (wrestling)
2. Imam Ganishov (wrestling)
3. Svetlana Dashanimaeva (archery)
4. Arkady Dvorkovich (FIDE president)
5. Yana Egorian (fencing)
6. Vladislav Larin (taekwondo)
7. Angelina Melnikova (gymnastics)
8. Madina Taimazova (judo)
9. Maxim Khramtsov (taekwondo)
10. Fedor Chudinov (boxing)
This "Zelensky" guy seems to have a screw loose.
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Risks associated with starting a war against Iran: Regional dislocation, refugee crisis, thousands dead on both sides, global economic shock.
Risks of doing nothing: ...
Regardless, it isn't the responsibility of a nation on the other side of the planet to control the lives of the people and their destinies.
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Risks of doing nothing: ...
Regardless, it isn't the responsibility of a nation on the other side of the planet to control the lives of the people and their destinies.
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Good news! Democrats strategy to defeat Trump is to say that he didn’t go far enough in Venezuela and taking out Maduro.
Brilliant.
Genius.
Game changer.
🌒 @EastCalling
Brilliant.
Genius.
Game changer.
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