Born in 1828 at Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy lived many lives: aristocrat, soldier, teacher and social thinker. His masterpieces, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, turned the experiences and struggles of ordinary people into stories of universal importance.
By the late 19th century, English translations had made Tolstoy a major literary figure in Britain. His ideas about non-violence, simple living and social equality also inspired a small but active Tolstoyan movement, with groups in London, Manchester, Leeds and elsewhere.
Tolstoy’s works have continued to find new readers in the UK. His novels are regularly reissued and translated, while British publishers, theatres and broadcasters keep bringing his masterpieces to new audiences. From the BBC’s War and Peace, starring a young Anthony Hopkins in 1972, to the 2016 adaptation with Paul Dano, Lily James and James Norton, his stories have repeatedly returned to British screens. Anna Karenina has also been adapted several times, including Joe Wright’s 2012 film starring Keira Knightley.
Nearly two centuries after his birth, Tolstoy's characters still feel remarkably close to us – proof that great literature can cross borders, languages and generations.
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Excerpts from FM Sergey Lavrov's interview with Russian TV presenter Yulia Menshova
⏺ The West has always been interested in weakening our country – the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union [...] Now the West has to defend its position through fair competition. And that is something it has never known how to do throughout its history.
⏺ The loss of the West's ability to objectively lead the world is pushing it to try to maintain its dominance by completely unscrupulous methods – through sanctions, and even direct intervention. They are simply clinging to their last remaining opportunities to preserve their dominance.
⏺ We have never done anything to undermine our relations with the West. And it is no coincidence that the eagle on our coat of arms has two heads, looking both west and east. We keep a close eye on both directions, making sure, first of all, that there are no threats or attempts to harm us. But we also keep a close eye on where there are opportunities for mutually beneficial relations. And at this stage, of course, all these opportunities are in the East.
⏺ We warned that Ukrainian terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia, including oil refineries, would provoke a response that would be much more severe for Ukraine. This is what is happening now.
⏺ If Western diplomacy comes down to holding back countries that put forward sensible, balanced and compromise-based initiatives, then so be it. In that case, we will achieve our goals not at the negotiating table, which would be preferable for us – and Anchorage summit proved that – but on the battlefield.
⏺ I feel sorry for Britain, because it has itself, through Prime Minister Andy Burnham, said that it will stand with Ukraine until the end. Since the end for Ukraine is not a happy one, I feel sorry for Britain.
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💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: As for negotiations on Ukraine, what is needed above all is negotiation based on an understanding of the root causes and on working out an agreement to remove them. We have always been ready for that.
The current Ukraine crisis was created by the West, primarily the previous US administration, the European Union and NATO members, who are still trying to achieve what they call Russia's defeat and support Ukraine in everything.
From the very outset, the Trump administration has shown both the willingness and the ability to address the root causes of the conflict. That is precisely what gives grounds to expect that negotiations and contacts with the relevant envoys will be useful for both sides.
Another point I would like to make is that it is the European Union that continues to do everything it can to prevent the situation from moving towards addressing the root causes and finding ways to reach a reliable, long-term settlement based on eliminating those causes.
Read in full
The current Ukraine crisis was created by the West, primarily the previous US administration, the European Union and NATO members, who are still trying to achieve what they call Russia's defeat and support Ukraine in everything.
From the very outset, the Trump administration has shown both the willingness and the ability to address the root causes of the conflict. That is precisely what gives grounds to expect that negotiations and contacts with the relevant envoys will be useful for both sides.
Another point I would like to make is that it is the European Union that continues to do everything it can to prevent the situation from moving towards addressing the root causes and finding ways to reach a reliable, long-term settlement based on eliminating those causes.
Read in full
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🎙 Excerpt from Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing
💬 After Germany levelled blatant anti-Russian accusations over the alleged “drone attack” involving aircraft at Leipzig Airport, a number of EU and NATO member states rushed to join the German démarche without carrying out any independent analysis. No facts were presented.
This was followed by a whole series of public statements, as well as the summoning of the heads of Russian diplomatic missions, expressing solidarity with Germany and the Kiev regime [...]
It is obvious that the aim of such actions is to keep anti-Russian sentiment at a high level among the European public.
This is meant to cover up the serious political and economic miscalculations of the European elites, justify to their citizens the allocation of huge resources to fund Ukraine, and accelerate the expansion of the European defence industries under the pretext of preparing for an allegedly inevitable armed confrontation with our country. If it is “inevitable”, then they should admit that it is they who are seeking it.
The mass repetition of groundless and absurdly false accusations against Russia of engaging in “subversive activities” has become a mandatory element of the information war being waged against our country.
Read in full
💬 After Germany levelled blatant anti-Russian accusations over the alleged “drone attack” involving aircraft at Leipzig Airport, a number of EU and NATO member states rushed to join the German démarche without carrying out any independent analysis. No facts were presented.
This was followed by a whole series of public statements, as well as the summoning of the heads of Russian diplomatic missions, expressing solidarity with Germany and the Kiev regime [...]
It is obvious that the aim of such actions is to keep anti-Russian sentiment at a high level among the European public.
This is meant to cover up the serious political and economic miscalculations of the European elites, justify to their citizens the allocation of huge resources to fund Ukraine, and accelerate the expansion of the European defence industries under the pretext of preparing for an allegedly inevitable armed confrontation with our country. If it is “inevitable”, then they should admit that it is they who are seeking it.
The mass repetition of groundless and absurdly false accusations against Russia of engaging in “subversive activities” has become a mandatory element of the information war being waged against our country.
Read in full
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🕯 On September 9, Russia observed the Day of Remembrance for Russian Soldiers Fallen in the Defence of Sevastopol and the Crimean War of 1853-1856. It was on this day that the heroic 349-day defence of Sevastopol came to an end.
Following the Ottoman declaration of war on Russia on October 16, 1853, active hostilities unfolded on land and at sea around the Crimean Peninsula.
In an attempt to save the Ottoman Empire from defeat, particularly after the Russian fleet under Vice Admiral Pavel Nakhimov routed the Turkish squadron at the Battle of Sinop, Britain and France entered the war on Turkiye’s side.
In 1854, allied troops landed in Crimea and began the siege of Sevastopol. The city’s defence was led by outstanding Russian military commanders, including Vladimir Kornilov and Pavel Nakhimov. Among its defenders was the great writer Leo Tolstoy, who later recounted his experiences in his Sevastopol Sketches.
Sevastopol’s defenders held the city for almost a year, skilfully and selflessly repelling assaults by superior enemy forces.
After prolonged and fierce fighting, Russian troops withdrew in an orderly manner from the southern side of Sevastopol. The army retained its fighting capability, and the allies never succeeded in forcing its surrender.
⚔️ The defence of Sevastopol became a symbol of the courage, resilience and military valour of Russian soldiers and sailors.
***
The memory of Sevastopol’s heroic Russian defenders apparently remains a sore point for those for whom the Crimean War serves as a reminder of a gruelling and bloody campaign.
On June 10, 2026, the Kiev regime deliberately launched a drone attack on the Defence of Sevastopol, 1854-1855 Panorama Museum. Severe damage was inflicted on Franz Roubaud’s world-famous painting The Assault of June 6, 1855, depicting Russian troops repelling an assault on Malakhov Hill by superior British and French forces.
According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the attack on the museum was a meticulously planned provocation orchestrated by London and British intelligence services, while Ukrainian military personnel carried out the preparations and launched the drones.
👉 But no provocation can change the truth: the Russian soldier’s resilience will forever remain part of history, while Britain’s gruelling military campaign and enormous losses are immortalised in the famous panorama.
Following the Ottoman declaration of war on Russia on October 16, 1853, active hostilities unfolded on land and at sea around the Crimean Peninsula.
In an attempt to save the Ottoman Empire from defeat, particularly after the Russian fleet under Vice Admiral Pavel Nakhimov routed the Turkish squadron at the Battle of Sinop, Britain and France entered the war on Turkiye’s side.
In 1854, allied troops landed in Crimea and began the siege of Sevastopol. The city’s defence was led by outstanding Russian military commanders, including Vladimir Kornilov and Pavel Nakhimov. Among its defenders was the great writer Leo Tolstoy, who later recounted his experiences in his Sevastopol Sketches.
Sevastopol’s defenders held the city for almost a year, skilfully and selflessly repelling assaults by superior enemy forces.
After prolonged and fierce fighting, Russian troops withdrew in an orderly manner from the southern side of Sevastopol. The army retained its fighting capability, and the allies never succeeded in forcing its surrender.
⚔️ The defence of Sevastopol became a symbol of the courage, resilience and military valour of Russian soldiers and sailors.
***
The memory of Sevastopol’s heroic Russian defenders apparently remains a sore point for those for whom the Crimean War serves as a reminder of a gruelling and bloody campaign.
On June 10, 2026, the Kiev regime deliberately launched a drone attack on the Defence of Sevastopol, 1854-1855 Panorama Museum. Severe damage was inflicted on Franz Roubaud’s world-famous painting The Assault of June 6, 1855, depicting Russian troops repelling an assault on Malakhov Hill by superior British and French forces.
According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the attack on the museum was a meticulously planned provocation orchestrated by London and British intelligence services, while Ukrainian military personnel carried out the preparations and launched the drones.
👉 But no provocation can change the truth: the Russian soldier’s resilience will forever remain part of history, while Britain’s gruelling military campaign and enormous losses are immortalised in the famous panorama.
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🎙 Key takeaways from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Channel One’s Bolshaya Igra show (Moscow, 8 September 2026)
• Europe made no secret of its main goal: to prevent the Americans from implementing their proposal [made during the Anchorage summit], which had been accepted by President Vladimir Putin, in its original, unamended form. That was precisely what Europe sought.
• The Europeans had the opportunity to adopt a position on Ukraine as sensible and responsible as that of the Trump administration, i.e. to consider the actual facts and developments on the ground, including the views of the local population. Instead, they are clinging onto a stance that will be very difficult to change. Time and again, they declare that Russia must suffer a "strategic defeat".
• On the one hand, Western politicians say that Russia is losing, which is why Ukraine must be supported in every possible way. This will help Ukraine to win. At the same time, however, they believe that Russia, which is supposedly on the losing side, is preparing to attack Europe. It is not serious for politicians to talk this nonsense.
• Our response to terrorist attacks on peaceful civilian infrastructure deep within Russian territory began some time ago and, as the Ukrainians have admitted, has proven to be considerably more punishing for them. This also explains why the West is currently calling for a ceasefire with such urgency.
Read the full interview here
• Europe made no secret of its main goal: to prevent the Americans from implementing their proposal [made during the Anchorage summit], which had been accepted by President Vladimir Putin, in its original, unamended form. That was precisely what Europe sought.
• The Europeans had the opportunity to adopt a position on Ukraine as sensible and responsible as that of the Trump administration, i.e. to consider the actual facts and developments on the ground, including the views of the local population. Instead, they are clinging onto a stance that will be very difficult to change. Time and again, they declare that Russia must suffer a "strategic defeat".
• On the one hand, Western politicians say that Russia is losing, which is why Ukraine must be supported in every possible way. This will help Ukraine to win. At the same time, however, they believe that Russia, which is supposedly on the losing side, is preparing to attack Europe. It is not serious for politicians to talk this nonsense.
• Our response to terrorist attacks on peaceful civilian infrastructure deep within Russian territory began some time ago and, as the Ukrainians have admitted, has proven to be considerably more punishing for them. This also explains why the West is currently calling for a ceasefire with such urgency.
Read the full interview here
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🎓 Open Doors 2026: Russian Scholarship Project
Open Doors is an online academic competition for international students and young researchers, offering opportunities to study at leading Russian universities.
Since 2017, more than 618,000 participants from over 200 countries have taken part, with more than 16,700 winners.
The competition covers 14 subject areas, from engineering, natural and social sciences to the humanities, with four tracks: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral (PhD) and Postdoctoral.
🏆 Winners of the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral tracks can receive tuition-free education for foreign citizens in Russia under the education quota, as well as Government grant support. Postdoctoral winners can receive a research position at a Russian university.
Registration for Open Doors 2026 started on 20 August 2026. Participation is online, in Russian or English.
🔗 od.globaluni.ru
Open Doors is an online academic competition for international students and young researchers, offering opportunities to study at leading Russian universities.
Since 2017, more than 618,000 participants from over 200 countries have taken part, with more than 16,700 winners.
The competition covers 14 subject areas, from engineering, natural and social sciences to the humanities, with four tracks: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral (PhD) and Postdoctoral.
🏆 Winners of the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral tracks can receive tuition-free education for foreign citizens in Russia under the education quota, as well as Government grant support. Postdoctoral winners can receive a research position at a Russian university.
Registration for Open Doors 2026 started on 20 August 2026. Participation is online, in Russian or English.
🔗 od.globaluni.ru
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🎙 Excerpt from statement by Russia's Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC briefing (New York, 10 September 2026)
💬 If our Western colleagues were genuinely concerned about upholding the global non-proliferation regime, they would explicitly identify the true source of direct threats thereto.
Not only did the United States provoke the crisis surrounding the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action by unilaterally withdrawing from it in 2018, but ultimately resorted to the use of force. Together with Israel, the US carried out a series of strikes against Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure under IAEA safeguards.
These unlawful and reckless actions by Washington and West Jerusalem, which could trigger a large-scale catastrophe with unpredictable consequences for the entire Middle East, constituted an attempt to undermine the authority of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the safeguards system underpinning it.
It was precisely these actions that prevented IAEA inspectors from carrying out their verification activities on Iranian territory without any interruptions. But even despite this, Tehran has expressed its readiness to continue its engagement with the IAEA Secretariat on this matter.
Nevertheless, not only do the European delegations refuse to call a spade a spade, they also either pretend that nothing has happened and nothing is happening, or worse still, they support aggressive actions against Iran and its nuclear facilities while blaming Tehran for the current situation.
Read in full
💬 If our Western colleagues were genuinely concerned about upholding the global non-proliferation regime, they would explicitly identify the true source of direct threats thereto.
Not only did the United States provoke the crisis surrounding the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action by unilaterally withdrawing from it in 2018, but ultimately resorted to the use of force. Together with Israel, the US carried out a series of strikes against Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure under IAEA safeguards.
These unlawful and reckless actions by Washington and West Jerusalem, which could trigger a large-scale catastrophe with unpredictable consequences for the entire Middle East, constituted an attempt to undermine the authority of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the safeguards system underpinning it.
It was precisely these actions that prevented IAEA inspectors from carrying out their verification activities on Iranian territory without any interruptions. But even despite this, Tehran has expressed its readiness to continue its engagement with the IAEA Secretariat on this matter.
Nevertheless, not only do the European delegations refuse to call a spade a spade, they also either pretend that nothing has happened and nothing is happening, or worse still, they support aggressive actions against Iran and its nuclear facilities while blaming Tehran for the current situation.
Read in full
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❓ How did 9/11 change international relations? In your opinion, what was the most serious mistake made in the new order of things?
💬 FM Lavrov: Relations have not changed for the better.
The United States exploited the international solidarity [...] not so much to fight terrorism, but to pursue its own geopolitical goals and expand its presence and influence.
After that, the same pattern played out in a number of other places.
Prior to Afghanistan, there was Yugoslavia – an unprovoked act of aggression and the senseless destruction of a sovereign state.
Afghanistan was followed by Iraq, where all the structures of the Ba’ath Party were dismantled after the invasion. All the army officers – all of them members of Ba’ath Party – were left to their own devices. They began forming what later became ISIS.
Then came Libya, which was utterly destroyed. It was arguably the most prosperous country around [...] Now, fifteen years on, they are still trying to piece it back together, and there is no telling when that will be done.
There was Georgia. There was Ukraine. Regrettably, this was an attempt by the unipolar world to somehow cling to the course of history.
📺 Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with the RBC television channel for a documentary marking the anniversary of the tragic 9/11 events
💬 FM Lavrov: Relations have not changed for the better.
The United States exploited the international solidarity [...] not so much to fight terrorism, but to pursue its own geopolitical goals and expand its presence and influence.
After that, the same pattern played out in a number of other places.
Prior to Afghanistan, there was Yugoslavia – an unprovoked act of aggression and the senseless destruction of a sovereign state.
Afghanistan was followed by Iraq, where all the structures of the Ba’ath Party were dismantled after the invasion. All the army officers – all of them members of Ba’ath Party – were left to their own devices. They began forming what later became ISIS.
Then came Libya, which was utterly destroyed. It was arguably the most prosperous country around [...] Now, fifteen years on, they are still trying to piece it back together, and there is no telling when that will be done.
There was Georgia. There was Ukraine. Regrettably, this was an attempt by the unipolar world to somehow cling to the course of history.
📺 Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with the RBC television channel for a documentary marking the anniversary of the tragic 9/11 events
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