What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Said Tsarnaev / Sputnik
It’s always interesting to take a glimpse back in history and see how the country looked. We now turn to what happened ten years ago.

A girl in a Russian national Pavlovo Posad shawl during Christmas celebrations (which in Russia are held on January 7 according to the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church)

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Pavel Lisitsyn / Sputnik

A man dunks in an ice hole during the celebration of the Russian Orthodox Church’s holiday - the Epiphany.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Sergei Mamontov / Sputnik

Ice fishing in Amur Bay.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Vitaly Ankov / Sputnik

Chechen girls in national dresses.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Said Tsarnaev / Sputnik

A zombie festival was held in Novosibirsk. Pictured is a participant on her way to a venue.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Alexander Kryazhev / Sputnik

In 2012, Russky Bridge in Vladivostok was unveiled. It has the longest cable-stayed bridge's span in the world. Pictured are participants of a bike ride over the bridge.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Vitaly Ankov / Sputnik

Celebrations of the Border Guard Day on May 28.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Yury Strelets / Sputnik

An exhibition of paintings in the pop-art style titled ‘Our President, the Person with a Kind Soul’ was held in Moscow. Pictured is artist Alexei Sergiyenko with his works featuring Vladimir Putin.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Ruslan Krivobok / Sputnik

A football fan in the Euro 2012 fan zone in Moscow, rooting for the Russian team playing vs. Czech Republic in Poland. 

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Maxim Blinov / Sputnik

Participant of the ‘Lady on a Bike’ festival in Moscow.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Kirill Kallinikov / Sputnik

The ‘Circle of Light’ festival on Manezhnaya Square in Moscow.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Ramil Sitdikov / Sputnik

In 2012, a new museum called ‘Grand Maket Rossiya’ was opened in St. Petersburg. It is the largest model layout of Russia that covers an area of 800 sq. meters (8,600 sq. ft). It features the main attractions, railways and real life details.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Alexei Danichev / Sputnik

Revelers at the ‘Nashestvie’ annual festival of Russian rock music in Tver Region.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Astapkovich / Sputnik

An artist painting trays at the Zhostovo Factory of Decorative Painting.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Grigory Sysoyev / Sputnik

Year 2012 was declared as the ‘Year of Germany’ in Russia. Pictured are Moscow residents putting together a huge puzzle featuring ‘Self Portrait’ by artist Albrecht Dürer. 

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Alexander Vilf / Sputnik

Year 2012 also marked the 200th anniversary since Russia’s victory in the war over Napoleonic France. It was celebrated with a massive reenactment of the Borodino battle outside Moscow. 

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Vitaly Belousov / Sputnik

Four-legged participants of the traditional dog sled race in the city of Samara. 

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Yury Strelets / Sputnik

The biggest ice skating rink in the country opened in VDNKh, a Soviet-era park in Moscow.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Sergei Karpov / TASS

Priests attending a celebration of the 1,150th anniversary since the Russian statehood was established.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Konstantin Chalabov / Sputnik

Street food ala ‘Rus’. Ladies selling preserved vegetables and mushrooms. 

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Smirnov / TASS

December 12, 2012, was the day of mass weddings in Russia, due to the beauty of the date  (12.12.12).

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Zurab Dzhavakhadze / TASS

An orchestra of Dyed Morozes (Father Frosts), the Russian Santa Claus, during the winter festivities season. Discover the differences between the two here.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Ruslan Krivobok / Sputnik

Dmitry Medvedev during his last New Year address to the nation as president of the Russian Federation, the post he held in 2008-2012.

What Russia was like in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Dmitry Astakhov / Sputnik

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