Stunningly beautiful and emotionally harrowing. 4 hobbits
Rant. I've studied Russian history, read so many books, read the great novelists, read modern history books, music, movies, watch so many documentaries and podcasts, keep up with news. No, I can't read/speak Russian.
and I swear I understand them less and less
I think the puzzle lies in the internal psychological conflict caused by the difference in the beliefs that Russia has about itself ( they think they have been a great world power for millennia) and reality ( as long as they are ruled by their medieval religion they will always be medieval )