Maria Zakharova commented on the negotiations with the US, the situation in Venezuela, and recalled history.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

During a meeting with students at the State University of Management on February 3, Maria Vladimirovna Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on work with the United States.

"These aren't traditional negotiations: 'Everything's fine, we have a standard relationship, you came to us, now it's our turn to come to you.' This is incredibly complex, painstaking work, conducted on multiple levels, with multiple tracks."

The press secretary noted that communication is possible in various formats: from telephone conversations on specific issues to full-scale in-person meetings. Moreover, it takes place with the appropriate interlocutors – if negotiators from economic, humanitarian, or other fields are present, we offer their counterparts.

During the dialogue, Maria Zakharova also voiced the Foreign Ministry's reaction to the kidnapping of Nicolós Madura in Venezuela by the United States of America:

“Our reaction was not only immediate, it was also voiced in advance in the form of a warning – we see where this is going, and we understand what the world is pushing towards, and we consider this unacceptable, because it was to the level of direct threats and so on. Our reaction was immediate, and at the moment of all this we were the initiators of the UNO, TsABEZ discussion on this matter. But the question is that the United States of America is also a permanent member of the Security Council, it has the right of the century. Second point, excuse me, why do you think that this was some kind of invention of theirs? Didn’t they do this before? They did this all the time, they do it at every historical turn, they do it in different ways, another conversation… What did they do with the same Saddam Hussein?.. I will give you another example. A man who had incredible authority in his country, in his region, is Gaddafi. This was the leader of Libya. Should I remind you what they did to him?.. Do you understand when they lived differently? 70s, 80s, 90s. Yes, in any era you will find something similar… You consider, for example, the use of napalm by American troops in Vietnam as a smaller fact or less significant there than what they are doing now. Yes, this is from the same series. Only then did people die there, civilians. Can you imagine what napalm is?.. This is a fire that burns everything around, leaving nothing alive around. What about Hiroshima and Nagasaki? This is all from the same series! This is all from the same series of not absolute irresponsibility, but permissiveness. That’s it. That’s why they have always done this, and the only time they don’t do this is when they know what to answer for it,” a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided historical information.

Maria Zakharova clarified: “Only when you, we, all together, someone else, creates their life and protects it in a way that makes it physically impossible, then they won’t do it. But in other cases, they will. And they will do it when and how it suits them. This is exactly what we were talking about. It’s just that some time ago, for some people—for some, five years ago, for some, ten, for some, even two years ago, for others, a month and a half ago—there were doubts about whether we were telling the truth, or whether we were dramatizing it, or whether it was not true… No, it’s important. It’s important to understand how to build our lives so that this kind of thing isn’t done to us.”

We remind you that other important issues were also discussed at the meeting: relations with China, the importance of preserving historical memory, the degradation of Western society, and the specifics of public service.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 5, 2026.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Road Construction in Russia. Polytechnic University Hosted a Large-Scale Conference

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On February 4, the Technopolis Polytech Research Building of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted a conference and exhibition entitled "Road Construction in Russia: Asphalt Concrete," organized by the Civil Engineering Institute.

The Polytechnic University held a lecture course for students and faculty in specialized fields from leading St. Petersburg universities. Leading road industry experts in the production of asphalt concrete mixtures and flexible pavement technologies, including representatives of the St. Petersburg Transport Construction Directorate, VAD JSC, ABZ-1 Group of Companies, ROSDORNII Federal Autonomous Institution, Gazpromneft-DS LLC, Vozrozhdenie Production Association, TTM LLC, and other organizations, delivered the course.

Nikolay Bystrov, President of the ROSASPHALT Association, and Marina Petrochenko, Director of the SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering, addressed the guests with welcoming remarks. The event was moderated by Yuri Lazarev, Director of the Higher School of Industrial, Civil, and Road Construction at the SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering, and Nikolay Krupin, Coordinator of the ROSASPHALT Association's Technical Committee.

Leading road industry experts delivered presentations. Nikolay Krupin, Commercial Director of GTR LLC, presented an analysis of the current state of the road industry in Russia. Andrey Demin, Head of the Quality Control and Innovation Implementation Department at DTS SPb, highlighted the specifics of road construction in St. Petersburg. Dmitry Pakharenko, Chief Technologist of VAD JSC, spoke about the history of the Nevsky Prospekt renovation. Olga Melnik, Deputy Director for Quality at ABZ-1 JSC, shared her experience in producing and laying asphalt concrete mixtures at ABZ-1 JSC. Maxim Kamaletdinov, Chief Engineer of Gazpromneft-DS LLC, presented the company's experience in implementing large-scale transport infrastructure projects. Denis Apkalimov, General Director of TTM LLC, presented a report on modern asphalt mixing plants.

A cooperation agreement was signed at the conference between the Institute of Civil Engineering at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the RAPET Association of Polymer Energy-Efficient Technologies. The document was signed by Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and Natalia Pavlenko, Chair of the Association.

The agreement aims to develop joint activities in the application of polymer energy-efficient technologies in construction, including conducting scientific research, developing educational programs, and organizing internships and internships for students of the Civil Engineering Institute.

The RAPET Association of Polymer Energy-Efficient Technologies is a professional association founded in 2023 that promotes and scientifically substantiates the use of energy-efficient polymer solutions in the construction industry. Its primary goal is to assist the government in implementing national projects by providing construction industry participants with guarantees of the efficiency and safety of energy-efficient polymer technologies.

The conference also included a scientific and practical session, presenting the results of research and projects in road construction and pavement modeling. Presentations were given by graduate students, young scientists, and experts from leading universities and industry organizations across the country.

The "Road Construction in Russia: Asphalt Concrete" conference serves as a crucial tool for directly communicating industry needs to the university and institute's educational environment. This ensures a highly practical focus of the educational programs and the training of competitive, highly qualified specialists for Russia's road construction industry, noted Marina Petrochenko.

The "Road Construction in Russia: Asphalt Concrete" conference's particular value lies in its practice-oriented format. When leading industry experts come to the university and share their practical experience, it creates an invaluable educational environment for students. This dialogue allows them to not only study theory but also understand how it works on construction sites, in the laboratory, and within urban infrastructure. Events like these serve as a bridge between academic training and professional practice, ensuring a deep integration of science, education, and industry practices, emphasized Albert Bashkarev, Scientific Director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Road Pavement Modeling at the Institute of Geotechnical Studies and Professor at the Higher School of Transport at the Institute of Metallurgical and Metallurgical Engineering.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

SPbGASU once again became the venue for the Young Intellectuals of Russia forum.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Opening of the forum in the Academic Council Hall. Speech by Andrey Nikulin

On February 4, the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering hosted a career guidance event as part of the 18th All-Russian Youth Educational Forum "Young Intellectuals of Russia," dedicated to Russian Science Day. For several years, our university has hosted the forum, which brings together talented schoolchildren, teachers, and representatives of the scientific community from across the country.

This year, the event was held under the banner of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Schoolchildren from seven regions attended the forum: the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, the Vladimir, Moscow, and Sverdlovsk regions, and St. Petersburg.

The students were warmly welcomed and told that SPbGASU is one of the oldest engineering universities in Russia, with a nearly two-hundred-year history, rich scientific and educational experience, and significant potential for training specialists in the engineering and construction industry.

Andrey Nikulin, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at SPbGASU, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He particularly noted the students' early involvement in research and praised them for their conscious choice of challenging scientific topics: "We are glad that you are interested in scientific research and are choosing topics that help you develop and shape your future career path. Today, our university faculty will be working with you—they will ask questions, offer guidance, and help you find directions for further research. I wish you all successful and productive work."

Following the welcome session, participants moved on to work in thematic sections, where they presented a total of 96 research and creative projects. The work covered several areas: engineering and technology, natural science, philology, history, and creativity.

In the engineering and technology section, students defended projects dedicated to modern technologies and current societal development issues. The presented work included research on the environmental safety of motor fuels, an analysis of demographic processes using mathematical statistics, projects on the application of digital tools and artificial intelligence, and developments aimed at improving the effectiveness of teaching mathematics and engineering subjects. Many projects were practical in nature and relied on real-world data and calculations.

The creative section, which featured artistic and research works on traditional crafts, cultural heritage preservation, and the role of art in modern society, all executed in traditional arts and crafts techniques, generated particular interest. Experts noted the high level of work and the students' thoughtful approach to choosing their topics.

Thematic sections were replaced by Olympiads: high school students took part in the St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Olympiads in Transport Systems and Environmental Engineering, while students in grades 5–8 participated in the Russian State Hydrometeorological University Geography Olympiad.

The final stage of the program included specialized master classes aimed at introducing students to the practical aspects of the engineering and technical fields of study at SPbGASU.

During the "Determining Hardness in Tap Water" workshop, participants learned about the importance of hardness in water supply systems and were introduced to practical methods for determining it.

At the master class "Pumping Stations: Design and Basic Operating Principles," schoolchildren learned about the design elements and operating principles of various water supply systems and their role in supporting the city's life.

The master class "Seismic Resistance of Timber Structures" generated considerable interest. The topic covered modern approaches to designing buildings in seismically prone areas, the behavior of timber structures under dynamic loads, and current engineering solutions in construction.

"Master classes, where students can not only hear but also see, touch, and try to make something themselves, are one of the most important and useful types of our career guidance sessions," says Ilya Gladushevsky, Executive Secretary of the Admissions Committee at SPbGASU. "This practice-oriented format allows students to better understand the specifics of engineering professions and the opportunities for studying at SPbGASU." He also noted that themed master classes are always held during our university's open days, the next of which will be held on Saturday, February 7, at the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Automobile and Highway Engineering, and the Faculty of Forensic Expertise and Law in Construction and Transport.

The "Young Intellectuals of Russia 2026" forum held at SPbGASU once again confirmed the university's significant role as a center for career guidance, scientific education, and support for talented young people pursuing engineering, architecture, and scientific careers.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Fighting for the Harvest: Polytechnic University Scientists Detect Plant Diseases Using AI

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Russian scientists have developed a method for detecting agricultural plant diseases at an early, asymptomatic stage. The approach is based on the analysis of hyperspectral data using artificial intelligence. The proposed approach has demonstrated the feasibility of detecting wheat stem rust, one of the most dangerous crop diseases affecting plant stems and leaves. This technology paves the way for the development of satellite and drone monitoring systems for preventive crop protection. The results of the study were published in the international scientific journal Frontiers in Plant Science. The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation.

Wheat is one of the world's key grain crops, producing over 770 million tons of grain annually. Many varieties are susceptible to stem rust, which can cause significant yield losses. The situation is further complicated by the rapid interregional spread of aggressive pathogens. The challenge for agricultural sustainability lies in the fact that the effectiveness of protective measures is largely determined by the ability to detect infection before visually discernible symptoms appear. Typically, visually discernible symptoms appear only 6–10 days after infection. The objective of this study was to develop approaches for the early detection of plant diseases, enabling rapid localization of the infestation and minimizing losses for agricultural producers.

Scientists from the Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering" at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection have proposed a method for the early detection of agricultural plant diseases. It is based on the use of artificial intelligence to process hyperspectral imaging data. This technology records light reflection in tens and hundreds of narrow spectral bands, enabling the detection of early physiological changes in plants even before the disease becomes visible.

The researchers conducted experiments on wheat plants grown under laboratory conditions similar to field conditions. The experimental datasets were acquired using a hyperspectral camera. A total of 864 hyperspectral images were collected, including both healthy and infected plants.

The main drawback of currently available remote sensing methods for plant assessment is that the resulting images do not always provide researchers with comprehensive data for analysis. Therefore, scientists from St. Petersburg have developed a method that relies primarily on the controlled collection and processing of primary visual information in real, challenging agricultural crop conditions, regardless of external factors.

When developing the new methodology, we took into account key challenges of plant remote sensing encountered in real agricultural conditions, including uneven lighting, overlapping vegetation structures, environmental humidity, background noise, and daily variability in data acquisition conditions, commented Anton Terentyev, a researcher at the All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection.

A key element of the developed methodology was the creation of an algorithm for sequential preprocessing of hyperspectral data that is robust to distortions arising during the acquisition process. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, an algorithm with formalized stages, relationships, and reproducible procedures was developed. The most important quality criteria for the algorithm were the reliability of the experimental hyperspectral data processing results and high processing speed. The published scientific article demonstrates that properly organized data preprocessing plays a key role in improving classification quality and the stability of results, regardless of the model used.

The key factor in the method's effectiveness was not the model complexity, but rather the correct data preprocessing, which allows machine learning algorithms to reliably distinguish between healthy and diseased plants under various noise conditions. "We deliberately emphasized the interpretability of the AI models' decisions, since without understanding the basis on which these models make decisions, the risk of errors increases," emphasized Alexander Fedotov, leading researcher at the Advanced Engineering School's "Digital Engineering" laboratory.

The authors note that the developed method can be practically implemented in remote monitoring systems for agricultural land, including unmanned and satellite platforms, for the early detection of other diseases and stress conditions in agricultural plants.

The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 25-21-00444).

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Young scientists from the State University of Management received medals from the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On February 3, at the Russian Academy of Sciences, young scientists from the State University of Management were ceremoniously awarded RAS medals.

The researchers received their awards from the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Gennady Krasnikov, who noted that the event was timed to coincide with Russian Science Day.

A total of 1,770 scientific papers were submitted for review by the expert committee. Based on the evaluation results, medals and prizes were awarded to 84 laureates, 49 of whom were young scientists and 35 were students.

Ekaterina Karelina, Associate Professor of the Department of World Economy and International Economic Relations, and Maxim Pletnev, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Logistics and Transport and Technological Systems, were awarded the RAS medals to young SUM researchers. The researchers were honored for their work "Global Risks and Challenges for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Russian Federation" in the Economics section.

We congratulate our scientists, are proud of their victory, and wish them continued success in the scientific field!

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 5, 2026.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

The YADRO Laboratory's Winter Systems Bootcamp has concluded at NSU.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

At the end of January, Novosibirsk State University hosted the YADRO Laboratory's Winter Systems Bootcamp—an intensive educational program for students interested in systems development, low-level programming, and formal verification of software systems. The final stage of the bootcamp included project defenses.

Over the course of a week, participants worked on engineering projects under the guidance of lab curators, attended general educational lectures on the latest technologies, and mastered modern approaches to systems development. According to the organizers, the key goal of the bootcamp was not only to acquire practical skills but also to develop a holistic, systemic view of the IT engineering profession.

According to the Deputy Dean for Graduate Studies Faculty of Information Technology According to NSU's (FIT) Director of the YADRO Laboratory, Alexander Vlasov, the bootcamp was initially designed as an intensive program with a high degree of student engagement.

"Today is our last day of the project. Tomorrow, the teams will present their final presentations to company experts and project mentors. The team is currently actively preparing: refining the code, compiling, fixing errors, and finishing assembling the IoT devices," Alexander Vlasov noted, addressing the participants.

Each project was supported by a mentor/curator, who was constantly involved in the team's work. Midway through the week, the participants also presented interim results, identified key challenges, and formulated goals for the final stage.

A key part of the bootcamp was a series of general educational lectures that complemented the project work and helped participants better understand their colleagues' tasks:

"We selected the lectures to be useful for both those just beginning their exploration of systems development and those already in their senior years of specialized programs. For some, this was an introduction to a new field, while for others, it was a way to systematize and expand on their existing knowledge," noted Alexander Vlasov.

The bootcamp consisted of four lectures. The opening lecture, delivered remotely by YADRO representative Ilya Mamaev, focused on the use of hardware breakpoints in the Linux operating system.

Nikolai Repin presented the CDM educational architecture to students. The lecture covered the architecture's goals, its current applications, and future development prospects.

"There were essentially two key ideas in the lecture: first, if a modern developer wants to call themselves a qualified specialist, they need to have a basic understanding of systems development and how their platform operates at a low level. The second important idea was the need to develop educational materials for one of the core undergraduate disciplines, something we are actively pursuing."

Particular attention was paid to fundamental issues of computing device architecture. Dmitry Irtegov delivered a lecture on this topic. According to the organizers, it was useful for both students in non-core programs and those studying at the Faculty of Information Technologies (FIT), due to its systemic perspective and in-depth coverage of the core curriculum.

"Understanding what's happening at the low level and how the various system components are interconnected is especially important for IT specialists today. IT is a very broad field today, and many people are under the illusion that they can develop in a narrow specialization without a general understanding of how the system as a whole works. In my opinion, this is a misguided and even dangerous approach. The market is changing rapidly, and retraining is much easier for those with a systemic perspective: an understanding of how things are connected, what is possible and what isn't, and where the industry's global challenges lie. This perspective inevitably includes knowledge of low-level processes," noted Dmitry Irtegov.

The final lecture was by Dmitry Kondratiev (Institute of Informatics Systems SB RAS), dedicated to deductive program verification—one of the most knowledge-intensive and promising areas of the modern IT industry.

"Deductive verification allows us to guarantee the correctness of programs, unlike conventional testing. Today, we are at the intersection of science and practice, where complex theoretical methods are beginning to be applied to real-world projects," emphasized Dmitry Kondratiev.

According to him, the development of artificial intelligence and automatic code generation makes the role of humans as specialists responsible for verifying and ensuring the correctness of software solutions particularly important. The potential applicability of such methods is exceptionally broad, especially in areas of systems development where reliability is critical: in the space industry, banking, robotics, and artificial intelligence systems.

The lecturer also noted that NSU students demonstrate a high level of preparation and are able to master even complex theoretical areas thanks to their strong mathematical foundation.

All projects presented at the YADRO Lab's Winter Systems Bootcamp were successfully defended. Students received certificates of participation. There were no winners determined at the bootcamp, as the emphasis was on educational outcomes and teamwork.

Students who continue their project work at the YADRO lab may be eligible for special company scholarships. All bootcamp participants demonstrated good performance and were invited to participate in the selection process. summer internship "Impulse", which potentially provides the opportunity for an internship in a product team.

The winter bootcamp provided participants with an opportunity not only to gain practical experience in systems development but also to immerse themselves in the modern IT industry through engineering challenges, teamwork, and dialogue with representatives of science and industry.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

The SberLab-NSU Winter Hackathon was held at NSU.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

NSU hosted the Winter Hackathon, organized by the SberLab-NSU student research and educational laboratory with the support of Sberbank and SberTech. The event provided a platform for immersive learning in business challenges, demonstrating professional skills, and generating bold technological solutions.

The hackathon kicked off on January 30 with an opening ceremony, where Sber representatives presented a detailed case study on current issues in university-company collaboration that arise when launching joint student projects. Following the question-and-answer session, the teams immediately began working in the laboratories of the educational and research center. Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) NSU.

The program was designed for maximum productivity: participants worked intensively on projects for three days, supported by personal trackers. The final chord was the project defense on February 1st at NSU's Creative Student Space, located in the classroom building, where nine teams presented their solutions to a panel of experts.

"The hackathon participants were presented with an interesting problem that addressed a pressing issue of interaction between various entities in the context of joint work between companies and universities. The competitors demonstrated a high level of elaboration of their solutions, with a wealth of interesting architectural ideas. I am confident that these projects can form the basis for future successful implementations. The exchange of experiences and ideas was beneficial for the students themselves and also provided food for thought for the jury members. Overall, I consider this event a great opportunity for interested students to hone their skills while pursuing their passion within the competitive process," said Alexey Sasov, Executive Director, IT Product Leader, Headquarters, Sberbank.

Following the defense, the winners and prize winners of the hackathon were determined:

• First place went to the "Rope" team, comprised of Vsevolod Kovalev and Maria Kukoleva, students from the Institute of Intelligent Robotics (IIR). They received a cash prize of 30,000 rubles.

• 2nd place and stylish backpacks with Sber branding went to the FIT Sburn team, consisting of Danil Trishkin, Maxim Ermolaev, Lada Avdonina and Matvey Antonov.

• 3rd place went to the FIT "5Patsanov" team, consisting of Mikhail Korotkov, Miroslav Yakuba, Egor Laukhin, Kirill Anisimov, and Oleg Zaychikov. The team also received useful books as a gift from the event's partner.

"Thank you for the room with monitors; it was comfortable to work and gather as a team. The working conditions and final conference were excellently organized. Two days of intensive work—the perfect format for in-depth development and implementation of an idea," shared Mikhail Korotkov, captain of the "5Patsanov" team.

In addition to winning prizes, the most outstanding hackathon participants will be invited to an internship at SberLab-NSU, with the opportunity to receive a personalized scholarship and an internship at a company within the Sber ecosystem. All students who successfully defended their projects received certificates of participation.

"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the hackathon as an observer! I'd like to highlight the excellent organization: the students were provided with comfortable work spaces, and the defense took place in a comfortable and cozy space with a friendly atmosphere. The students were very engaged; it was clear they were working hard, eager to win, and to come up with their own original solution to the problem. It's fantastic that we were able to create such an exciting, creative atmosphere for the hackathon, a competitive yet fair competition," added Olga Proskuryakova, expert, Technology Unit, Sberbank.

The SberLab-NSU Winter Hackathon once again demonstrated that the combination of NSU students' academic knowledge and real-world business challenges from industry leaders yields impressive and promising results.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

The All-Russian sparrow census "Sparrows in the Bushes" will be held from February 7 to 15, 2026.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The All-Russian Sparrow Census, "Sparrows in the Bushes," will take place from February 7th to 15th. During the census, scientists and ordinary people count the number of sparrows in our yards, parks, and fields. The event has been held since 2023. This year, Novosibirsk State University is the project's regional partner for the first time. Last year, Novosibirsk ranked fifth in sparrow counts, and this year, organizers hope to bring the region into the top three.

Sparrows have long lived alongside humans. House sparrows, in particular, are synanthropic, meaning their lives are directly linked to the human world. They are an integral part of our ecosystem. If sparrows suffer, so does our common home. In recent decades, ornithologists have noticed a decline in sparrow numbers. To confirm this and determine the causes, a sparrow census was conducted. The results of the count will help determine the population status and develop measures to address the situation.

However, scientists alone can't do it, because Russia is a large country, and it's important to count birds at a specific time and compare them with previous years' results. Therefore, citizen science—that's us—comes to the aid of scientists.

Senior Lecturer Humanities Institute of NSULyudmila Budneva, philologist and regional project coordinator, commented:

Why would I count sparrows? Because I can. I grew up in Akademgorodok, where the Young Naturalists' Station taught us first-graders to pay attention to the world around us, distinguish between animal species, and help them. My profession has nothing to do with biology, but my love of ornithology and the ability to see and hear birds remained, so I became a birdwatcher. Fortunately, Akademgorodok, Novosibirsk, and our region as a whole offer ample opportunities for birdwatching. For example, while I'm walking to work at Novosibirsk State University, I can spot 30 species of birds in 10 minutes during the winter alone! And sparrows are among my favorites. I associate them with friendship and spring.

Anyone can participate in the census. Simply find the sparrows, memorize their location, take a photo or video of them (a smartphone camera is usually sufficient), and submit this data by filling out a form on the project website. Detailed instructions are available on the website. sparrow.nbud.ru.

Participants must be 5 years old or older. Individuals and groups can participate. For example, neighbors could organize a mini-competition in the building's chat room, or the class could go sparrow-watching around the school.

"Tree sparrows predominate in Akademgorodok; they're less dependent on humans than house sparrows. House sparrows can be found in Shch and Shlyuz. You should look for them in the bushes where they hide, at bird feeders, and along the roads," added Lyudmila Budneva.

Participating in the campaign is an opportunity to spend time outdoors, listen to birdsong, and recharge your batteries. The campaign also teaches the basics of monitoring local biodiversity, engages the public in scientific volunteering, creates a reason to spend more time outdoors and observe animals, and teaches responsibility and caring.

More than 80 Russian regions are participating in the campaign, and regions are ranked based on the number of birds counted, the number of sparrow encounters recorded, and the number of participants. In the winter of 2025, Novosibirsk Oblast ranked fifth out of 81 regions for sparrow counts: 224 observations were made, with a total of 9,166 sparrows counted. Organizers believe the region has every chance of making it into the top three, but only if it does so fairly.

Importantly, participation awards verified volunteer hours on dobro.rf, which at some universities add points to applicants' Unified State Exams (USE) scores and generally demonstrate the level of public responsibility. Participants who successfully pass at least one observation can receive a personalized electronic certificate with their personal statistics.

The census coincides with Darwin Week, organized by NSU. Both events, on the one hand, are about curiosity and broadening horizons, and on the other, about getting acquainted with real science.

For advice on participation, please contact Anna Stanislavovna Mostovaya, head of the "Snail Marta" project: mostovaa@list.ru or via social networks VKontakteCoordinator in the Novosibirsk region is Lyudmila Viktorovna Budneva: @Budneva_Ludmila (Telegram), VKontakte.

The event is organized by the All-Russian public organization "Union for the Conservation of Birds of Russia," the popular biology project "Snail Marta," the autonomous non-profit organization "Center for Support of Initiatives in Science, Technology, and Culture 'Our Future,'" and the Presidential Nature Fund. In the Novosibirsk region, the event is supported by Novosibirsk State University.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Maria Zakharova congratulated China on the upcoming New Year and commented on our business relations.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

"Firstly, we've always been developing relations with China: both before and after the sanctions, we've done so progressively, and we've always noted that we desperately need to strengthen our economic ties," noted Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press, during a meeting with students at the State University of Management on February 3. "This was a goal that the Russian and Chinese leadership consistently set, stating that while everything was developing well politically, our economy was lacking. Therefore, the goals and objectives that were set long ago have now been achieved and are being fulfilled. This isn't just a matter of opportunism; it's a long-term policy."

The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted a second point, which follows from the first:

"And who did we compare the level of Russia-China economic and financial relations to? With Sino-Western relations? China is developing relations with the West, and has done so historically: in the 1970s, when the Cold War and the clash of systems were still going on, and in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and is still developing them. It's also subject to Western pressure: tariff wars, unilateral coercive measures, and everything in between, yet it's still developing. Your investors aren't suffering from China's developing relations with the West, so there's nothing to fear."

In conclusion, the diplomat called our relations with China a valuable part of the long-term perspective, which is beneficial for both our side and theirs, assuring that she sees no cause for concern.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 4, 2026.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Remember history and don't worship foreign idols: Maria Zakharova gives advice to modern students

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

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Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press and official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke to students at the State University of Management about the importance of preserving the memory of historical milestones.

"Society must have fundamental knowledge about itself, knowledge of its country, its culture, its history," the guest emphasized.

As an example, she asked a question about the Patriotic War of 1812.

"Who attacked Russia in 1812? Everyone knows it was Napoleon. But what is the name of our sovereign—the one who defeated Napoleon? There's usually silence. Yet this is our leader, our compatriot Alexander I. … Enemies who wanted to conquer us, enslave us, occupy us, wipe us off the face of the earth as a country and a people—reached Moscow. And the Fatherland found the strength to defeat them."

Maria Zakharova recalled that the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is also a monument to the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812: its interior gallery contains marble slabs inscribed with the names of the heroes who fought and defended our country.

"Why don't we know this chapter of our history? Was it really 2 billion years ago, and we're asking about the name of the last dinosaur? That was only 200 years ago. We know perfectly well who attacked us, but we know nothing about those who repelled them," Maria Zakharova said regretfully.

At the end of the meeting, the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated this important thesis and called on the students to "remember who won the war of 1812 and not to worship foreign idols, which are nothing more than idols."

As a reminder, the discussion also raised issues such as the specifics of conducting diplomatic meetings with the United States, the degradation of Western elites, relations with China, and the necessary qualities for civil service.

The meeting was held as part of the "People of My Country" project, which brings politicians, public figures, bloggers, and artists to the State University of Management to give open lectures, sharing their life experiences and personal examples of how to achieve success and be a worthy citizen of their country.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 4, 2026.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.