The Soviet Union is long gone, while the brand new country has already survived the ‘wild’ 1990s and is under a new president, Vladimir Putin. Let’s take a glimpse of the cities’ streets and people of the very early 21st century.
Ex-president Boris Yeltsin shakes hands with Vladimir Putin
Spirit of the times
People at a bus stop
A monk in a Yaroslavl Region monastery
Moscow at dusk
Tug-of-war competition

Alexander Polyakov/Sputnik
Vladimir Putin on vacation

Vladimir Rodionov/Sputnik
A view of the Moscow River and the Kremlin

Alexander Polyakov/Sputnik
St.Petersburg’s White Nights
Competitors in an international marathon in Moscow

Dmitry Korobeinikov/Sputnik
‘Monuments cemetery’ in Moscow’s Muzeon park
Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, recently rebuilt after being demolished by the Soviets

Alexander Polyakov/Sputnik
Peterhof fountains near St. Petersburg
A couple of homeless people
A march of WWII veterans commemorating the legendary parade of 1941

Alexander Polyakov/Sputnik
A skateboarder at a festival of youth

Alexander Polyakov/Sputnik
Grandfather Frost rides a troika during the New Year celebrations in Siberia
Rap festival in Moscow

Dmitry Korobeinikov/Sputnik
A policeman and St. Petersburg residents

Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images
Construction market
Children’s playground
Festival of ice sculptures

Vladimir Fedorenko/Sputnik
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