Introduction: I first came to Russia over thirty years ago. Then, it was just emerging from being a mainly closed society with severe restrictions on travel. In the meantime, it has changed hugely. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to live and work here for many years and I have found the country fascinating. As it is still a requirement to apply for a visa to visit Russia, tourism has been slow to develop so this is still a largely unexplored land. Author in

Largely because of Russia’s attack on Ukraine and President Putin’s seemingly total disregard for human life and human rights, Russian people in general have gotten a bad press in recent times and have had to keep their heads down. But there is another side to Russia, one which I encountered on a daily basis when I worked there full time. I am still in touch with former colleagues, most of whom abhor what is being done in their name. Back in the day, I wrote a book about Russ

I am not an apologist for Russia or Putin. Far from it; like most of my Russian friends, I abhor what they are doing in Ukraine. But I have spent some time in the country and I have some understanding of their culture and character. This article is an attempt to explain to people where Putin and his ilk come from and why they act as they do but it is under no circumstances justifying the carnage and chaos that has been inflicted on an innocent nation. Firstly, let me relate a