“The band Rammstein wishes to express its support for the nation of Ukraine as it resists the shocking attack perpetrated by the Russian government.

Above all at this moment, we feel particular grief for the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

Each member of the band has various experiences of the two countries; all members of the band have friends, associates, partners, fans in both lands.

We acknowledge the desperation that many Russian fans may feel when faced with the actions of their government, and we want to remember the humanity shared by both Russian and Ukrainian citizens.”

Rammstein logo with Ukrainian flag

Posted on March 20th, 2022 under Saint Petersburg. Tags: rammstein, video. Comments Off on Rammstein and Russia

Russian helicopter on 2019 Day of the Russian Navy

In the years in which I head over to Europe for the summer, I like to check out two or three new places. In 2019, Saint Petersburg was one of those places. In 2022, Ukraine was on the list. However, I don’t think I’m going to Europe this summer, and Ukraine is obviously off the table after the Russian invasion.

I saw some really creepy things while in Russia a few years ago, so this week’s events in Ukraine aren’t really surprising. Humanity is still a long way from enlightenment.

Posted on February 25th, 2022 under Saint Petersburg. Tags: Day of the Russian Navy День Военно-Морского Флота, Nikon 300mm f/4 VR ED-IF AF-S Nikkor Lens, Nikon D500. Comments Off on Kamov Ka-31 Helix B

Smolny Cathedral interior looking straight up (Saint Petersburg, Russia) August 2019

This is my only decent photo of the Smolny Cathedral interior. There are two reasons for this. One is that construction was going on, and the other is the hoards of tourists.

That was one of the nicest things about traveling in 2021–the lack of crowds. I probably entered 20+ churches this summer, and I don’t remember ever seeing more than one or two other people in those churches at the same time.

Posted on August 22nd, 2021 under Saint Petersburg. Tags: AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR DX lens, buildings, Nikon D500. Comments Off on Smolny Cathedral Dome Interior

Vincent van Gogh’s “The Sea at Saintes-Maries” in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum (Russia – July 2019)

Posted on February 7th, 2021 under Saint Petersburg. Tags: AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR DX lens, hermitage, museums, Nikon D500, Vincent van Gogh. Comments Off on Van Gogh in Russia

Today’s photo comes from last year’s Navy Day in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was less than a hundred yards from Putin, but I couldn’t see him because of the massive crowd.

Posted on July 29th, 2020 under Saint Petersburg. Tags: Day of the Russian Navy День Военно-Морского Флота, Nikon 300mm f/4 VR ED-IF AF-S Nikkor Lens, Nikon D500. Comments Off on Russian Navy Day