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Small gilled mushrooms Mycena strobilicola in a wet forest with spruce near the entrance of North Cemetery in Pargolovo. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 8, 2021

Small gilled mushrooms Mycena strobilicola on spruce needles near the entrance of North Cemetery in Pargolovo. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 8, 2021

Close-up of small gilled mushrooms Mycena strobilicola in a wet forest with spruce near the entrance of North Cemetery in Pargolovo. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 8, 2021

The grave of Mikhail Ilyich Svyatkin (1986-2025), a 39-year-old soldier whose death in May 2025 aligns with the surge in casualties during the spring and summer of that year. His wooden cross bears a framed photo of him in combat gear holding a rifle, surrounded by wreaths inscribed "From Mother," highlighting the personal grief embedded in the mass loss. The background is crowded with similar fresh graves, flags, and flowers, reinforcing the density and continuity of the burials at this active military cemetery. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Interior of Church of Uspeniya Presviatoy Bogoroditsy (built in 2008) in Pargolovo Cemetery near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 10, 2013

The dense concentration of recent casualties, with fresh earthen mounds tightly packed together and adorned with the ubiquitous Russian tricolor. In the foreground, the grave of Aleksandr Vladimirovich Dementyev (1962-2025) is marked by a wooden cross and a color portrait, identifying a 63-year-old soldier whose age highlights the heavy toll on older reservists and volunteers. The background reveals the integration of the cemetery into the urban fabric, with modern commercial buildings visible just beyond the sea of flags and wreaths, grounding the war[CloseCurlyQuote]s losses in the everyday reality of St. Petersburg. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

A cluster of fresh graves from the summer of 2025, including that of Igor Vadimovich Lebedev (1969-2025), a 56-year-old casualty. The scene is densely packed with temporary wooden crosses, massive wreaths in the Russian tricolor, and various unit flags--including the VDV (Airborne Forces) and Motorized Rifle Troops--while a lone mourner in the background tends to a plot, emphasizing the personal grief amidst the mass scale of death. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Akademicheskaya Alley in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025

Maple alley in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025

Alley near Dendrology Garden. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025

Maple alley near the Forestry Academy. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025

Jordan Pond from Kaygorodova Alley. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025

The dense visual cacophony of the cemetery s "temporary" section, where rows of wooden crosses are submerged in a sea of Russian tricolors and military intelligence (GRU/Spetsnaz) flags bearing the bat insignia. In the foreground, the grave of Kirill Arkadyevich Sharkov (1975-2025), a 49-year-old casualty, is marked by a simple cross and a photo of him in uniform, surrounded by wreaths in patriotic red, white, and blue colors. The scene conveys the sheer volume of recent losses, with flags fluttering chaotically over uneven mounds of earth, while a tractor in the far left background hints at the ongoing expansion of the burial grounds. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Maple alley near a building of the Forestry Academy. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025

Fall colors of maple alley near the Forestry Academy. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025

Central axis of the "Old Garden" (Regular Park), known as Hermitage Alley (Ermitazhnaya alleya) in Catherine Park. In the 18th century, this alley was the promenade for courtiers moving between the formal receptions at the Palace and the intimate, private parties at the Hermitage. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025

Vokzalnaya Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025

Spores of grey tooth mushrooms (Phellodon melaleucus) collected earlier 9/25/2025 near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Maple alley near Chinese Bridges of Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025

Area of Teatralnaya Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025

Alley of Green Woman in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025

Spores of Ascomycete mushrooms Pulvinula convexella collected earlier 10/1/2025 on a bonfire site near a lake in Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Oaks of alley of Green Woman in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025

Spores of roothole rosette mushrooms (Stereopsis vitellina) collected earlier 10/5/2025 in a burrow near a road under pines in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores (spore print white) of Goblet mushrooms (Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis) collected earlier 10/12/2025 up from 67 km train stop near Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores of mushrooms Multiclavula corynoides collected earlier 10/5/2025 in a shallow depression covered by sand, near Petyayarvi train stop, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores (in KOH) of Boletinus/Suillus cavipes mushrooms collected earlier 9/30/2025 near Lindulovskaya Larch Grove, near Roshchino, 30 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores (in KOH, spore print dark brown) of common stump brittlestem mushrooms (Psathyrella piluliformis)(?) collected earlier 10/5/2025 on roadside in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores (in KOH, spore print light brown) of of mushrooms Boletinus asiaticus collected earlier 9/30/2025 in Lindulovskaya Larch Grove, near Roshchino, 30 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 19, 2025

Birch Tunnel of Alley of the Red Hill (Alleya Krasnogo Bugra) in Pavlovsk Park during the "Golden Autumn" season. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025

The "initial stage" of memorialization, where fresh earthen graves are densely covered in massive wreaths of artificial flowers and a forest of flags. In the foreground, the wooden cross of Aleksandr Vitalyevich Rogachev (1964-2025) identifies a 61-year-old casualty, representative of the older demographic of mobilized soldiers and volunteers. The scene highlights the diverse composition of the forces, with the flag of Uzbekistan visible in the background--indicating the recruitment of foreign nationals--while a lone mourner tends to a grave amidst the dense rows, adding a human scale to the extensive loss. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

The grave of Alexey Vladimirovich Suslov (1976-2024), a 47-year-old casualty whose age reflects Russia s reliance on older reservists and volunteers rather than just young conscripts. His polished black granite monument features a casual color portrait and the epitaph "We were left without you, You remained with us," asserting a continuing spiritual bond despite death. The background juxtaposes the solemn "Alley of Heroes" with modern commercial buildings, visually grounding the war s toll within the everyday urban landscape of St. Petersburg. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Brownish canopy of English oaks (Quercus robur) of Alley of the Green Woman (Alleya Zelionoy Zhenshchiny) in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025

Revealing the multinational and irregular composition of the Russian forces, featuring the flag of Uzbekistan prominently displayed alongside the black "Assault Troops" banner and the Russian tricolor. In the foreground, the grave of Aleksandr Borisovich Vasiliev (1973-2025), a 52-year-old soldier, is marked by a framed photograph of him in combat gear standing in a field, humanizing the older demographic of recent casualties. The scene captures the raw, crowded nature of the "initial stage" of burial, with fresh earthen mounds and a chaotic mix of personal and military symbols extending into the background. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Ramp Alley (Rampovaya Alleya) whic is a historic avenue in Catherine Park, known for its grand canopy of ancient trees and its connection to imperial history. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025

"Alley of Heroes," a section of the cemetery dedicated to Russian soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine. In the foreground stands a permanent black granite monument featuring a detailed engraving of a soldier in combat gear with the "Z" insignia and a stoic epitaph reading, "Having given everything, I will not rise from the dust... I, having killed the fear within myself, fought". The background reveals rows of additional graves densely adorned with wreaths and flags representing various military branches (including the VDV and Naval Infantry) and private military contractors, illustrating the ongoing scale and diverse composition of the casualties. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Wide-angle view of the overwhelming scale of the cemetery s "temporary" sector, where row upon row of fresh earthen graves stretch toward the horizon, each topped with a dense carpet of wreaths and a chaotic thicket of flags. The visual field is dominated by the Russian tricolor, but punctuated by Soviet red banners, VDV (Airborne) flags, and Naval ensigns, reflecting the "hybrid" composition of forces. The raw, unpaved ground and the sheer density of the burials underscore the industrial pace of the war s casualties, set against a mundane urban backdrop that integrates this mass death into daily life. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Fall colors of canopy of English oaks (Quercus robur) of Alley of the Green Woman (Alleya Zelionoy Zhenshchiny) in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025

Wooden house near Pargolovo Train Station in a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 5, 2012

The ideological complexity of the war s memorialization, dominated by a large red Soviet flag flying prominently over fresh graves, invoking nostalgia for the USSR s military power alongside Russian tricolors and VDV (Airborne Forces) banners. In the foreground, the grave of Arkady Vasilyevich Kovalchuk (1974-2024), who died at age 50, exemplifies the demographic trend of older men bearing a significant share of casualties. The scene is one of dense, vibrant mourning, with mounds of artificial flowers covering the raw earth, set against a backdrop of modern commercial buildings that anchor the cemetery in the contemporary urban landscape. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

"Section 69 A" marker within the "temporary" burial sector, where fresh earthen mounds stretch toward a forested perimeter, contrasting the ordered numbering system with the raw immediacy of mass death. A solitary mourner in a green coat stands quietly by a cross, tending to flowers amidst a sea of Russian tricolors and unit flags, including the blue and yellow banner of the Aerospace Forces, adding a human scale to the vast, impersonal landscape of casualties. The scene highlights the rapid expansion of the cemetery, with the dense rows of wooden crosses indicating the continuous flow of new burials. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

The "initial stage" of memorialization, where fresh earthen graves are crowded with temporary wooden crosses and a profusion of military banners, including the VDV (Airborne Forces) and St. Andrew[CloseCurlyQuote]s Naval flags. The foreground features the grave of Mikhail Ilyich Svyatkin (1986-2025), a 39-year-old casualty, whose cross is adorned with a framed photo of him in uniform, exemplifying the typical profile of recent losses. The scene is saturated with patriotic symbols, including a flag depicting a tank with the slogan "Victory will be ours" and another with the Order of the Great Patriotic War, linking the current conflict to historical narratives of Soviet heroism. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Spores of white Calocybe-like mushrooms collected earlier 10/9/2025 in Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores of beefsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica) collected earlier 10/9/2025 in Dubki Park, Sestroretsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores (in KOH) of mushrooms Psilocybe fuscofulva(?) collected earlier 9/29/2025 near Kavgolovskoe Lake south from Oselki near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Classic "Northern Russian" mixed woodland representing a managed semi-natural mixed forest in transition, view from Alley of the Green Woman in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025

A classic alley in Upper Park during the height of autumn. Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025

Spores (in KOH, with x100 objective) of Ascomycete fungus Phaeohelotium monticola(?) collected earlier 10/7/2025 on wood near Lisiy Nos, near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores of Calocybe-like mushrooms collected earlier 10/8/2025 under silvery fir trees behind Lenin s monument in Botanical Garden, Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores (in lugol, with x40 objective) of Ascomycete fungus Phaeohelotium monticola(?) collected earlier 10/7/2025 on wood near Lisiy Nos, near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

The "initial stage" of mass burial, depicting a dense field of fresh earthen mounds marked only by temporary wooden crosses and overwhelmed by a sea of Russian tricolors, Soviet red banners, and VDV flags. The ground is raw and uneven, with a single permanent black granite curb visible in the foreground as the only sign of the eventual transition to formal memorialization. In the background, industrial infrastructure frames the scene, emphasizing the integration of this expanding military necropolis into the everyday civilian landscape of St. Petersburg "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

The dense, chaotic stage of recent burial in the "Alley of Heroes," where fresh earthen graves are overwhelmed by a profusion of flags, including the Russian tricolor, the blue flag of the Aerospace Forces (VKS), and banners of various volunteer and assault units. The foreground shows a simple wooden cross with a framed photo of a young soldier, surrounded by vibrant wreaths of artificial flowers, while in the background, a woman walks amongst the rows, emphasizing the cemetery s role as an active site of public mourning. The sheer number of flags and the raw state of the ground visually confirm a continuous, high-volume flow of casualties processed at this site. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

A granite monument bearing the poignant epitaph, "My today is a sacrifice for your tomorrow," framing the soldier[CloseCurlyQuote]s death as a redemptive gift to future generations. The grave is flanked by the black and yellow flags of the Motorized Rifle Troops--Russia s primary ground combat formations--distinguished by the Kalashnikov insignia and the motto "Loyalty". In the background, rows of temporary wooden crosses extend into the distance, contrasting the finished memorial with the raw, fresh graves of recent casualties. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Spores (in lugol, with x100 objective) of Ascomycete fungus Phaeohelotium monticola(?) collected earlier 10/7/2025 on wood near Lisiy Nos, near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

The diverse visual language of mourning in the "Alley of Heroes," showing a mix of permanent granite monuments and temporary graves decorated with flags, including the Russian Imperial black-yellow-white tricolor and a Soviet red banner. In the foreground, the polished black headstone of Ivan Vladimirovich Semenov (1995-2024) features a color portrait of the 28-year-old soldier, while nearby, two women stand amidst the graves, highlighting the cemetery as an active site of personal grief. The scene captures the juxtaposition of varied ideological symbols--imperial, communist, and modern state--united within the shared space of military sacrifice. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Ancient linden alley near the Feodorovsky Gorodok (Fyodorovsky Town) which is a remnant of the park s imperial landscape design. The gnarled, dark trunks of the linden trees (Tilia) create a solemn, cathedral-like atmosphere. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025

Birch alley in north area in Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 8, 2017

Spores of coral fungus Lentaria byssiseda collected earlier 10/13/2025 from a tall oak tree in Sergievka Park, Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Tacked milkcap mushrooms (Lactarius trivialis) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Brown webcap (Cortinarius) mushrooms under pines in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Webcap mushrooms Cortinarius depressus(?) under pines in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Cinnabar bracket mushrooms (Pycnoporus cinnabarinus) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Slimy spike mushrooms (Gomphidius glutinosus) Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Red-banded webcap mushrooms (Cortinarius armillatus)(?) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Booted knight mushrooms (Tricholoma focale) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

False deathcap mushrooms (Amanita citrina) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Light-violet webcap (Cortinarius) mushrooms in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Yellowleg bonnet mushrooms (Mycena epipterygia) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Deadly webcap mushrooms (Cortinarius rubellus) Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Trumpet chanterelle mushrooms (Craterellus tubaeformis) Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Resinous polypore mushroom (Ischnoderma resinosum) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Spores (in KOH, spore print black) of brittlestem mushrooms (Psathyrella corrugis) collected earlier 10/6/2025 on a forest trail in Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Spores (in KOH, spore print orange) of spectacular rustgill mushrooms (Gymnopilus junonius) collected earlier 10/9/2025 in Dubki Park, Sestroretsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Brick-brown powdercap mushrooms (Cystoderma granulosa) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Section of tacked milkcap mushrooms (Lactarius trivialis) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Mature Northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Olive Wax Cap mushrooms (Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus) in a spruce forest. Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Underside of resinous polypore mushroom (Ischnoderma resinosum) in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Forest composition at shoreline of Istok (Ha"rka"lammet) Lake. Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Red-stemmed Feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi) on a log in a spruce forest Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Fibrecap (Inocybe)(?) mushrooms on a primitive camping site. Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Top view of Trumpet chanterelle mushrooms (Craterellus tubaeformis) Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Soapy knight mushrooms (Tricholoma saponaceum) under pines in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Common eyelash mushrooms (Scutellinia scutellata) near a lake Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Canopy of English oaks (Quercus robur) of Alley of the Green Woman (Alleya Zelionoy Zhenshchiny), one of the twelve paths radiating from the central "Music Salon" (Round Hall) in the Big Star (Bolshaya Zvezda) district of Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025

Alley in Novodevichye Cemetery at Moskovskiy Prospekt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 26, 2010

Alley of Nikolskoe Cemetery of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2011

Alley in Novodevichye Cemetery at Moskovskiy Prospekt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 15, 2011

Spores (spore print white) of yellowleg bonnet mushrooms (Mycena epipterygia) collected earlier 10/3/2025 in Tarkhovka Park near Sestroretsk, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025

Blending of religious and patriotic symbolism in the "Alley of Heroes". The foreground monument features a poignant epitaph addressing the deceased ("And you stand before our eyes, Alive... We keep you in our hearts") alongside an elaborate engraving of a soldier ascending a staircase toward a Christ-like figure, framing death as a spiritual journey. In the background, a distinctive broken-heart monument depicts a split image of a bridge at night surrounded by flags from various military branches, including the VDV and Russian Naval Infantry. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025

Fall colors of birch alley in north area in Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 8, 2017

A stump with a dry leaf both in natural light and under 365 nm ultraviolet (UV-A) blacklight near Krugovaya Alley in Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2025

Side view of Trumpet chanterelle mushrooms (Craterellus tubaeformis) Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Ascomycete mushrooms Pulvinula convexella on a bonfire site near a lake Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025

Decurrent gills of the Goblet mushrooms (Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis) collected near Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 12, 2025

Dark-brown webcap (Cortinarius) mushrooms under spruce in moss in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Light-brown webcap (Cortinarius) mushrooms under spruce in moss in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Common stump brittlestem mushrooms (Psathyrella piluliformis)(?) on roadside in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025

Dense group of webcap mushrooms Cortinarius depressus(?) under pines in Petyayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 5, 2025