Russian literature is not especially known for its lighter side. Think of Anna Karenina, The Brothers Karamazov, Crime and Punishment, War and Peace, Doctor Zhivago. All of them tragic . . . and all of them art imitating life, with maybe a bit more sex.

But every now and then, in real life, the Russian people are good for a laugh. Their political satire, for example, is delightfully caustic. And sometimes, quite accidentally, they can be at their wittiest when they’re trying to be serious.

Take, for example, an excerpt from the Wikipedia biography of one Sergey Naryshkin, which reads as follows:

“Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin . . . is a Russian politician who has served as the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service [FSB, successor to the KGB] since 2016. Previously, he was Chairman of the State Duma (2011-2016) and Kremlin Chief of Staff (2008-2012); . . .”

So far, so good . . . right? But here is where that Russian wit shows itself:

“ . . . he was also chairman of the Historical Truth Commission from May 2009 until it was dissolved in February 2012.”

“Historical Truth”? Is that anything like “Military Intelligence”?

Well, of course it was dissolved. Who needs truth, historical or otherwise? It just gets in the way, like when you’re about to invade another country and claim that it really belongs to you.

Oh, those funny, funny Russians!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
3/28/25