Ask me anything about the Soviet Union/ Former Soviet States

[Haggis_McMutton]

Random question: any opinion on the Republic of Moldova's relations with Russia?

[Baron Von PWN]

Random question: any opinion on the Republic of Moldova's relations with Russia?

To be honest I don't know much about their relations. Though Moldova being Moldova I doubt the Russians care all that much.

What I do know about Moldova is that there is a breakaway region which has majority Ukrainian/Russian descent that is de facto it's own state. Essentially this came about because they feared re-unification with Rumania (Moldava is mostly Romanian).

I decided to go read up on it a bit, and apparently relations are likely poor. During the civil war which resulted in the split the Russians apparently sided with the separatists (they have done this in other republics as well where Russian majority rejoins attempt to separate.).

Russian volunteers as well as Ukrainian ones went to fight in the republic, and the Russian military Unit that was stationed ther even joined in the fighting near the end of the conflict. The Russian's have a "peacekeeping" force in Transnistria despite protests from the Moldovan government. The peace keeping force is likely there to ensure Transnistria remains independent, should something happen you would likely see a repeat of the Russo-Georgian war, but this time in Moldova.

So the Russian's probably don't care all that much, and I suspect the Moldovans don't care all that much about Russia with the glaring expception of the Transnistira Issue.

[Evolution299]

Can you tell me who the elderly lady was that lived upstairs from me, when I was growing up? I wish I knew her name.

No sorry

Damn it. She was so nice.

[BigBallinStalin]

This is a very enlightening thread, BvP. I've learned a lot just by reading through it.

Props to you, good sir.

Thanks! I'm glad it could be of help/ was not a huge snooze fest. Though don't let me be the only source of your info on Russia/the USSR. There is so much matrial on the region and so many interpretations of events, what I have to say is by no means the final word. If you found something in here particularly interesting, please Google it, go to your local public library see if you can find an interesting book on it and expand your knowledge.

One of my favorite things to do while researching a paper was to just brows all the Russian history books that were near the book I was looking for. It wasn't helping me write my paper but it sure was cool!

Would you matrial me? Please, BVP, PLEASE!

[Baron Von PWN]

This is a very enlightening thread, BvP. I've learned a lot just by reading through it.

Props to you, good sir.

Thanks! I'm glad it could be of help/ was not a huge snooze fest. Though don't let me be the only source of your info on Russia/the USSR. There is so much matrial on the region and so many interpretations of events, what I have to say is by no means the final word. If you found something in here particularly interesting, please Google it, go to your local public library see if you can find an interesting book on it and expand your knowledge.

One of my favorite things to do while researching a paper was to just brows all the Russian history books that were near the book I was looking for. It wasn't helping me write my paper but it sure was cool!

Would you matrial me? Please, BVP, PLEASE!

Sigh, I'm so terrible at typing/spelling.

[notyou2]

Are your fingers fat like Russian sausages?

[Baron Von PWN]

Are your fingers fat like Russian sausages?

not really. They are regular sized. \i just suck at typing

[jefjef]

Don't know if this has been asked already but:

Does Russian history still deny WWII lend/lease support from the USA? (Food - tanks - planes - etc...)

[PROFITS]

Was there ever a time religion was banned? If so, Why?

[starkiller64]

But-but, I thought I was the local Russia-watcher around here!

[Symmetry]

But-but, I thought I was the local Russia-watcher around here!

Nobody thought that.

[Baron Von PWN]

Don't know if this has been asked already but:

Does Russian history still deny WWII lend/lease support from the USA? (Food - tanks - planes - etc...)

to the best of my knowledge it was never denied. Veterans often talk of the friendship between nations and lament the poor relations after the war.

The Soviets certainly didn't go about advertising it but they never denied it, to the best of my knowledge.

There is significant disagreement about the significance of that aid. Americans often seem to exaggerate its importance whereas Russians say it was helpful but not vital ( ie not a make or brake contribution).

I tend to agree with the Russian position more. Largely due to the fact that many of the lend lease convoys never made it to Russia. (they were bombed on the way to archangelesk) . This isin't to say it wasn't of great help. the Soviets got many useful war supplies from lend lease, but I don't think they were crucial to success.

[Baron Von PWN]

Was there ever a time religion was banned? If so, Why?

It was never completely banned. Even during the Soviet period religion was permitted, if in a heavily controlled manner. It also heavily depended on the religion, for instance Lutherans were heavily persecuted. Of course if religious practice ventured outside acceptable parameters they face state rath.

During the revolutionary and Stalin period were certainly the times of lowest religious freedom.

Soviet opposition to religious freedom was due to marxist ideology which views religion as a means of oppression.

Even during the Tsarist period religious freedom wasn't guaranteed. Religious groups were expect to work within the Tsarist framework. Of course only religions of the abrahamic were given any kind of state recognition, and then orthodoxy was emphasized.

Tsarist opposition to religious freedom was due to fear of religion as a center of opposition. (though practically this is why the soviets opposed it as well. )

[PROFITS]

Why do some people believe Russia could be Magog referenced in The Bible. Has any Russian historians disputed this? What was their argument? Is is plausible that "higher ups" in Russia could influence Russian historians?

[Baron Von PWN]

Why do some people believe Russia could be Magog referenced in The Bible. Has any Russian historians disputed this? What was their argument? Is is plausible that "higher ups" in Russia could influence Russian historians?

It's a religious prophecy so, it is not surprising that they have managed to find a nice square peg for their round hole.

Also considering it is a religious prophecy it is pertaining to future events, history being what it is, it's doubtful any historian worth their salt would bother to discuss it. As frankly it is not a Historical event but a prediction of an event to come. What archive is a historian supposed to pursue? When I looked into it after finding out about it here the only people I saw who had written about it were Theologians or simply pastors/ priests, usually with no background in Russian studies.

The magog "theory", is conspicuously absent in all scholarly works I have come across while perusing my degree, or in any of the other readings I have done through personal interests. So I suspect there is very little written on it by Historians. If there was, with all due modesty, I suspect I would have heard of it. Especially considering the enormity of the theory's claims. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened I have just never encountered it.

Russian Historians could very well have been heavily influenced during and before the Soviet state. As scholarly publications or research was all subject to state approval or rejection. During Tsarist time there was a good deal of censorship as well, a theory basically painting the Russians as the bad guys would likely be censored.

Since the 90's those tight controls have been greatly relaxed.

Bear in mind during all this time there have been many western historians writing about Russia. I have never seen it mentioned in their writing either.

[Neoteny]

If Russia was, indeed, the prophecied Magog, how would this influence Putin's leadership goals, and how would the ordinary Russian feel about being a puppet in god's creepy fetish with Jews?

Also, does the average Russian revel in the idea that they are currently, have been in memorable history, and forever will be the catalyst of the apocalypse, or is that something that gets old after the first few world endings?

[BigBallinStalin]

What are your top three recommended Russian films?

[Baron Von PWN]

If Russia was, indeed, the prophecied Magog, how would this influence Putin's leadership goals, and how would the ordinary Russian feel about being a puppet in god's creepy fetish with Jews?

Also, does the average Russian revel in the idea that they are currently, have been in memorable history, and forever will be the catalyst of the apocalypse, or is that something that gets old after the first few world endings?

I'm guessing if they were the prophesied Magog they wouldn't necesserally know about it, then again its a nutty prophecy so who knows! I imagine ordinary Russians would have a variety of opinions. From outrage to a fanatical commitment to fulfilling the prophecy.

I haven't encountered that opinion. Though there are many who are very proud of their past super-power status and wish to return to such a status.

[Baron Von PWN]

What are your top three recommended Russian films?

I haven't seen many Russian movies (like 6) so keep in mind my general ingorance of Russian film.

The being said of the Russian films I've seen my favourite were.

1.The Thief. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thief_(1997_film)
2. The Barber of Siberia http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120125/
3. Admiral. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral_(film)

I really enjoyed the thief as it follows a thief during the Soviet period and shows allot of the low society aspects of that period.

Barber is fun because it's a very romanticized romance of the late Tsarist period, which both romanticizes and shows the dark side of the Tsarist period.

Admiral is interesting as it follows Admiral Kolchak (an important white general during the revolution) and places him as the hero of the film. All seen from the eyes of his lover in the 1960's. So a very romanticised view of the whites but interesting as it's a film from their perspective.

[Neoteny]

If I wanted to take part in a realistic "Stalin has banished me to Siberia" experience, to where in the Siberian region should I go?

[Baron Von PWN]

If I wanted to take part in a realistic "Stalin has banished me to Siberia" experience, to where in the Siberian region should I go?

probably somewhere allong the now defunct artic railway. Which was built by gulag inmates, to service Gulag camps.

also here is a handy map of the camps and their locations



You could also go to some cities which were basically Gulag towns, such as Karaganda in Kazakhstan, or Magadan in the extreme east of Russia.

[jefjef]

I assume private ownership of firearms in Russia is heavily restricted to maybe a shotgun for those on farms. What are the general gun laws in Russia.

I also envision A LOT of WWII small arms, Russian and German, stashed in private hands.

[BigBallinStalin]

Why did the Russians decide to help Iran with its nuclear reactors back in the day (1980s?)?

Was this to counterbalance the US' power within the region? Do you think that this was a defensive or offensive move?

[Baron Von PWN]

I assume private ownership of firearms in Russia is heavily restricted to maybe a shotgun for those on farms. What are the general gun laws in Russia.

I also envision A LOT of WWII small arms, Russian and German, stashed in private hands.

Shotguns are available with a permit (there are about 400,000 permit carriers in moscow) as well as a number of gas powered handguns (rubber bullets), and then if you are nice for 5 years you can purchase Rifles and carbines. Handguns are completely illegal except for the very specific exemption of retired military officers who had been awarded a handgun for their service.

Supposedly you have to keep them disassembled and with ammunition and amo kept separately. However shotguns are considered "dissembled" if the clip is out. Also according to a website I saw using a firearm for self defence is illegal unless it is on your property.

They also have strict laws against any type of weapon period. For instance if you were caught with a piece of re-bar with a duct-tape handle you would be considered in possession of a weapon.

That said I'm sure that guns can easily be acquired on the black market, especially considering Russia is a major arms producer and exporter. About the ww2 weapons, it's possible but I'm sceptical.

[the carpet man]

are you american? what do you feel would have happened if ussr had not had the economic problems of the 1980s? would we still be in cold war?

just have interest in the view from america