Conflict in Mariupol, Ukraine

          The Ukrainian state’s ability to dampen the violence in their cities is quickly disintegrating as militant separatists, volunteer militias, oligarch backed paramilitary groups, and criminal gangs fight to control the streets of it's southern and eastern cities. “Ukraine is on the verge of becoming a failed state.” stated Sean Guillory. The expansion of both pro and anti-Russian forces, are still continuing. Sources state that this conflict will most likely not be solved by peaceful means as both sides are ready for a fight to take control. now while it may seem as though there may be a large war in Ukraine's short future, many have compared the conflict to more of a gang war between two competing oligarchies.
          This conflict came to be when the Party of Regions disintegrated and the police backed away or stood idle from the constant conflicts. In the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, gangs have begun roaming the streets at night. “During the daytime you can walk in the streets and it is actually safe to be in the city,” Anna Romanenko, a local journalist, told RFE/RL. At night, she added, “it is like in a [video] game: the city goes to bed, the mafia wakes up.” She reports that there is nightly shooting and stores and kiosks are robbed and burned. Signs hang on store fronts reading “Everything robbed already, don’t bother entering.” Because of the lack of police force local citizens have began joining the police and local separatists to lessen the crime by patrolling the streets at night. Without a proper police force many towns and cities in Ukraine are experiencing similar events. Both sides are currently trying to arm themselves as quickly as possible for the impending fight, in an attempt to scare the other side into yielding. Tensions are still on the rise in Ukraine, and there’s not much to do but sit back and watch.

Lake Baikal -- Surprisingly Unheard of

Lake Baikal is located in south-east Siberia about 100 miles from the Mongolian border. Lake Baikal is the biggest fresh water lake in the world, by volume, containing 20% of the worlds unfrozen fresh water. Lake Baikal is also one of the deepest fresh water lakes in the world, with an maximum depth of 5,387 feet. Lake Baikal is thought to be the worlds oldest lake being between 25 and 30 million years old and one of the clearest lakes in the world. Lake Baikal was formed in a rift valley which is the valley between two plateaus or mountains. The largest lakes in the world are all located in rift valleys, with the exception of Lake Victoria. Lake Baikal is home to great wildlife diversity, with more that 2,700 species of plants and animals living in or around the lake. The Weather conditions at the lake are extreme, with the average winter temperature being -2 degrees Fahrenheit and the average winter temperature being 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite these extreme temperatures, the Buryat tribe calls the eastern side of the lake home. The Buryat rear goats, camels, and sheep and share many similarities to the Mongols; such as nomadic living, herding, and living in gerts. Currently around 400,000 Buryat reside around the Ulan-Ude area which is 62 miles away from the lake. Lake Baikal has an extensive history, with it being a battle ground in 2nd century BC and has been inhabited by nomads since. Lake Baikal attracted investors who saw the potential tourism of such an incredible lake. In 2007 Lake Baikal was declared a special economic zone by the Russian government. The lake front town of Listvyanka is home to a popular 7 story resort called Mayak. Lake Baikal is a spectacular and unique lake, attracting both indigenous people and tourists from all over the world. It is the second largest lake by volume in the world, largest freshwater lake, and home to a vast array of species, yet few people have heard of Lake Baikal. In my opinion this shows how the interesting and unique aspects of Russia are being missed and overshadowed by the corruption and injustices that control the news. It is a shame that some of Russia's most impressive aspects are left unknown.

The Surprising History of St. Petersberg

        Although St. Petersburg is now a beautiful city, it has had a a very rough and surprisingly brutal history. The city was established in 1611 when Swedish colonists looked to build a city with good river access. The city was named Nyen and was located on the Neva River. This location was a great port and fishing destination, which was very desirable at the time and still is today. In 1703 Peter the Great decided that this desirable place was something that Russia needed at the time, because their other port Arkhangelsk was not functional in all seasons or as easily accessible. Russia evaded and took the town on May 12, 1703. He then began rapidly building some of the city that still stands today but at a cost. The builders that he rounded up were peasants from all over Russia and Swedish prisoners. Under the supervision of Alexander Menshikov tens of thousands of these prisoners and peasants died building this beautiful city. St. Petersburg is now one of Russia's most popular tourist destinations due to the fact that it has 221 museums, 2,000 libraries, more than 80 theaters, 100 concert organizations, 45 galleries and exhibition halls, 62 cinemas and around 80 other cultural establishments all created with great detail and craftsmanship even all the way down to the subway stations seen below. Despite the casualties that this city has experienced it is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia.

Avtovo Subway Station

Top 10 Purchased Russian cars

Written by: Roberto Belmont 

In 2009 records have shown the most driven and bought manufactured "Make"cars in Russia, here they are. Topping in at #1 is the Lada, the Lada is still the #1 car sold in Russia, the main reason why its number one is because it is made in Ruissia. This make car comes with engines 1.1-1.5 for the domestic cars but in their specialty those cars come with a 3.6L V6 Porshe flat-six engine, which is capable of producing 300-350 horse power. 2nd best selling car on the list is American made Chevrolet. Chevy provides many offers depending on what the person is looking for from a nice sedan to something small and fast to a truck. The biggest engine that Chevy has made would be the 454, that were made for older model cars like the 1970 Malibu Sports Coupe SS454 automatic., and also the 1970 Monte Carlo 454, and finally the 1974 Corvette Stingray 454, that comes in a convertible option. #3 on the list is Ford also made in America one of the top selling cars in America and competing against Chevy. Ford is one of the biggest economical and gas efficient maker out there competing with Toyota and Honda in the fuel efficiently race. Ford also know for having the best trucks for towing and its towing capability. Rolling up on #4 is the Hyundai made in South Korea. This make doesn't give out many options but with the options you do get give out a nice luxury feeling for a cheaper price. At #5 you have the Renault made in France this manufactured make was first made in 1899. Something special about this make is that they don't just produce cars they also made tractors, tanks, buses/coaches, and autorail vehicles. Now Renault only makes some vans and also domestic sport scars. Coming in at #6 is KIA, also made in South Korea is a nice luxury, affordable, and economy friendly car. According to many websites kid had 2 placers in the top 25 most sold cars in America, which were at #15 the KIA Optima, and at #20 the KIA Soul. Landing at #7 is Toyota, made in Japan, Toyota cars are still on the top 5 list for top selling manufactured "make" cars in the world. Toyota's top selling cars of all time and still are is the Toyota Camry which comes in the option of a 2.4L, 2.5L, 3.0L, 3.5L engine with around 145-195 HP, and the Toyota Corolla with the options of 1.6L, 1.8L, and a 2.4L engine that can get around 135-185 HP. Coming in at #6 is the Nissan, also made in Japan, Nissan are known for being a reliable and affordable small sedan to a nice big SUV. Nissan also has some surprisingly fast cars like the sedan-SUV crossover can get a surprising 200+ HP.  Closer to the end you have the GAZ, GAZ was a small company made between Russia and Ford back in 1932, which back then was known as NAZ at fist. These vehicles that were made were used only for the Russian military, such as convoy cars, transporters of weapons and soldiers. In last place on the list came the Daewoo, Daewoo is founded in South Korea. There cars came whith a 1.4L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L engines. This make of car mostly makes small 2 door cars but they will also make some nice sleek shaped SUV's that are surprisingly fast getting some 200-240 HP. Hoped you guys have enjoyed this list of cars and hopefully learned something new about some cars.

Stalin quotes

15 Stalin Quotes

Quotes are well formed sentences that describe a person, their thoughts, and/or their ideals, often through their own words. In this case we can see into the mind of Stalin by reading these quotes from him. So here are 15 hand picked Stalin quotes. (In no particular order).

-“A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.”

I picked this quote because he killed millions of people and had no remorse.

-“Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.”

This shows that he could have rigged votes to win.

-“Ideas are far more powerful than guns. We don't let our people have guns. Why should we let them have ideas?”

This shows how the people of Russia are not allowed to have freedom of speech.

-“Education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.”

It seems like he is trying to draft the young children.

-“History has shown there are no invincible armies.”

He is saying he is the best army out there but for how long.

-“It is not heroes that make history, but history that makes heroes.”

I feel he is trying to say he has become a hero through out his time as a leader.

-“When there's a person, there's a problem. When there's no person, there's no problem.”

I feel he is saying he cant trust anyone.

-“Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party.”

I feel he is saying he is one step ahead of everyone else.

-“When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope.”

He is saying that all the capitalists care more about money the death. 

-“In the Soviet army it takes more courage to retreat than advance."

This is saying they don't retreat no matter what.

-“Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs."

He is saying gratitude is a bad thing. 

-“I trust no one, not even myself.”

He is saying he has not trust for anyone.

-“I believe in one thing only, the power of human will.”

I feel he is saying he doesn't trust the humans but he believes that the will of humans is strong.

-“Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army can reach.”

Saying the Russian army has no fear and cant be stopped.

The lost meaning of Victory Day

Victory Day is a celebration in Russia that takes place on May 9th, celebrating the treaty signing of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second Wold War.  In the former Soviet Union, Victory Day was to commemorate the Red Army's victory over the Nazi Forces. During the 1990's Victory Day faded, and wasn't as widely or openly celebrated, but in 2000, when Putin came into power that changed. The 60th anniversary of Victory Day fell in 2005, and became the largest national holiday since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Victory Parade this year involved over 11,000 service men, 191 armored military vehicles, and 69 planes and helicopters. The armored vehicles were not only Humers but tanks and trucks carrying missiles. To me Victory Day Parade seems less of a celebration and more of a show of military power and showing other countries that Russia is a global force. After asking a Russian girl my my history class if she knew what Victory Day is celebrating, her response was "I don't think so". I found this interesting because recently Victory Day has been created such an enormous celebration, but it seems the history of the celebration has been lost. Victory Day is no longer a Celebration of a treaty signed in WWII but Russia flexing its muscles and showing off their military toys. North Korea does military parades, showing off the new military equipment they have, with the hope of creating fear among other countries. The modern Victory Day parades looks less of a celebration and more a display of military equipment, just like is done in the strict North Korean Dictatorship.
   

Keeping in touch with Russia

Ever tried getting in contact with someone in Russia? Well you wont have any trouble reaching someone if only they have a mobile device, but your in luck nearly every single person in the country has a mobile device. So now you don't have to wonder, all you have to do is give a call. Is this surprising for you too, I mean just look at there numbers I would have never thought that this many Russian inhabitants would have mobile devices its surprising for me because of the location of the country. I would have never thought that a location that has massive snowstorms/harsh weather and massive wildernesses is capable of having enough cellar towers in order to have mobile devices. If you think about it Russia is the biggest country ever and to have 99% of the inhabitants to have a working mobile device. That will be a huge amount of cellular towers all over Russia. I did a little research and in 2009 Russia had just a little over 300 cellular towers and by 2016 Russia is expected to get 1,000 more towers at the price of 100 million U.S. dollars, I found this image interesting because you can see the major technological advances that Russia is making right now and also how they have plans for further years too.