Bukovetsky House at 27 Kniazheskaya Street where Russian writer Ivan Alekseevich Bunin lived in 1918. Odessa, Ukraine, July 5, 2009
Public bath house (Bani in Russian) on Nikolaevskaya Street in Lisiy Nos, a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 9, 2011
Raising summer houses of affluent businessmen (sometimes called Novye Russkiye, New Russians, or nouveau riches) on hills of Toksovo, 10 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 4, 2004
Remains of Atar Nahal Beqa caravan camps (1991-1996) built during a period of mass immigration of Russians and Ethiopians thanks to a former housing minister Ariel Sharon (well known for expansion drive of Jewish settlements). Southern Beer-Sheva, the Middle East, November 4, 2000
Portraits of Binyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel in 1996-1999, at the entrance to an apartment house (populated by Russians) at Yizhak Avinu Street Beer-Sheva, The Middle East, February 16, 2000
Blooming bushes "Bird-of-paradise" at Senesh Hanna Street in front of a house populated by Russian immigrants. Beer-Sheva, the Middle East, June 2, 2001
Monument of Russian revolutioner V. I. Lenin in front of House of Soviets. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 8, 2013
Berry of currant (Russian name Smorodina) near a summer house (Dacha) north from Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 11, 2010
Excursion "Literary Odessa" by a guide Valentina Alekseevna Kovach in front of Bukovetsky House at 27 Kniazheskaya Street where Russian writer Ivan Alekseevich Bunin lived in 1918. Odessa, Ukraine, July 5, 2009
Remains of Atar Nahal Beqa caravan camps (1991-1996) built during a period of mass immigration of Russians and Ethiopians thanks to a former housing minister Ariel Sharon (well known for expansion drive of Jewish settlements). Southern Beer-Sheva, the Middle East, November 4, 2000
Big thorny plants in Shekhuna Gimmel Quarter near a house populated by Russian immigrants. Beer-Sheva, the Middle East, April 10, 2001
Tomb of a Russian statesman K. P. Pobedonostsev (1827 - 1907) in a yard of a house at Moskovskiy Prospekt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 26, 2010
Cottongrass (Eriophorum, Pushitsa in Russian) in a swamp, with houses in Sestroretsk in background at Eco Trail Sestroretskoye Swamp near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 27, 2021
Panoramic view from the Tarkhovka shoreline that looks north-west across the Sestroretsky Razliv (Lake Sestroretsk) toward the city of Sestroretsk. This view captures the dual nature of Sestroretsk: a historic resort town with natural beauty (the lake, reeds, and stones) juxtaposed with modern urban infrastructure (heating plant and high-rise housing). "Three Chimneys" (Center): The most prominent industrial feature is the cluster of three tall red-and-white striped chimneys. These belong to the Sestroretsk District Heating Plant (part of the city s thermal infrastructure). Residential Towers (Left of Chimneys): The tall, beige-and-orange brick apartment buildings are part of the modern residential developments in Sestroretsk, likely along Tokarevskaya Street or the Razliv microdistrict. Church of Peter and Paul (Far Right): On the far right horizon. This is a modern church (consecrated in 2009) built in memory of the Russian submariners. "Pyramid" Building (Far Left): On the far left, there is a distinctive white building with a stepped, pyramid-like shape. This is likely the "Eden" (Edem) residential complex or a similar luxury apartment block, which is known for its terraced architecture. Tarkhovka Park near Sestroretsk, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 3, 2025
Bolshoy Lamskoy Bridge (Great Lamsky Bridge). It was built in 1820-1822 by the Scottish architect Adam Menelaws, who was instrumental in shaping the park s romantic "English" landscape style. The bridge spans the Lamsky Ponds near the Llama Pavilion, originally serving the utilitarian purpose of connecting the Lamsky stables (which housed exotic llamas from Peru) to the rest of the park. Originally a cast-iron structure, it has been carefully restored to preserve its intricate metal latticework railings, which feature a distinct geometric pattern characteristic of the Russian Empire style. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
This panoramic view from the tower of St. Nicholas Church looks south-west towards Toompea Hill, capturing the dense layering of Tallinn s medieval and religious history. The striking structure with black onion domes is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral built in 1900 in the Russian Revival style. Its imposing presence on Toompea Hill contrasts sharply with the surrounding red-tiled roofs, symbolizing the complex history of the Russian era in Estonia. In the foreground and middle distance, you can see key parts of the city s defensive network: The square tower with the tall red roof in the foreground is the Maiden Tower, a 14th-century defensive structure that now houses a cafe. Just behind and slightly to the left of the Maiden Tower (partially obscured) is the massive Kiek in de Ko"k artillery tower, whose Low German name ("Peep into the Kitchen") referred to the guards ability to see into nearby homes. Connective sections of the medieval city wall run between these towers, marking the boundary between the lower town and the upper citadel. The green space visible near the base of the wall is the Danish King s Garden (Taani kuninga aed). According to legend, this is where the Danish flag (Dannebrog) fell from the sky during a battle in 1219, turning the tide in favor of the Danes. The garden sits on the slope directly facing St. Nicholas Church. Estonia, October 16, 2025
Vene Street (Vene ta"nav), one of the most historic and culturally significant streets in Tallinn s Old Town. The creamy yellow building on the right (Vene 17) is the main branch of the Tallinn City Museum (Tallinna Linnamuuseum). It is housed in a medieval merchant s home that dates back to the 14th century, offering visitors a deep dive into the city s history from prehistory to the 20th century. The name Vene means "Russian" in Estonian. The street was historically the center of the Russian merchant community and housed the trade yards and churches of Russian traders, dating back to the 12th century. The streetscape here is an example of Tallinn s Hanseatic architecture. The museum building itself was formed by combining a Gothic merchant house with two granaries, creating the structure seen today. One can also see the distinctive "hoist beam" and cargo hatch on the facade, used for lifting goods into storage. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
This view of the installation near the Russian embassy on Pikk Street captures a broader perspective of the protest site, showing how it stretches along the sidewalk in front of the embassy building. The white banner in the foreground originally read "FOR THE VICTIMS OF WARS STARTED BY RUSSIA" (with the Russian translation on the right). However, someone has vandalized the sign by crossing out "RUSSIA" and scrawling "US" and a Star of David (hexagram) over it. This act of vandalism attempts to deflect blame from Russia by invoking anti-American and antisemitic tropes, a tactic often seen in pro-Kremlin disinformation campaigns. On the left side of the street, the building with the distinctive Art Nouveau facade (Pikk 18) houses the Ron Verlin salon, visible through the large arched window. This contrasts the elegant, peaceful commercial life of the street with the raw political conflict playing out just meters away. The fencing extends far down the street, covered in layers of posters, flags, and messages. This indicates the sustained nature of the demonstration, which has become a semi-permanent fixture in the Old Town since the start of the full-scale invasion. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
Rataskaevu Street (Rataskaevu ta"nav) in Tallinn s Old Town. The focal point in the small square is the famous Cat s Well (Rataskaevu), which gave the street its name. According to local legend, a water spirit lived in the well, and the townspeople would sacrifice stray cats into it to prevent the wells from running dry. The yellow building on the left (Rataskaevu 7) houses the St. Petersbourg Hotel. It is the oldest operating hotel in Tallinn, originally opened in 1850 and located in a 15th-century building that was once a Russian merchant s home. Opposite the well (out of frame to the right, but significant to the street s lore) is the building at Rataskaevu 16, famously known as the site of "The Devil s Wedding." Legend says the devil held a party in the upper room of this house, and to this day, there is a painted "false window" on the facade to block the view into that haunted room. The building now houses a very popular restaurant of the same name. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
