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It’s a country of contradictions, where love and sex clash with customs and patriarchy. Where traditional values and large families are glorified but 40% of children grow up without a father and domestic abuse isn’t a crime. Welcome to Putin’s Russia. 

Xenia and Kyrill are about to get married and everything from the way the ceremonial bread is broken to their wedding rings leaves no doubt about their future roles. Kyrill’s ring is gold because “the man should shine”, while Xenia’s is silver to represent the woman’s position as serene shadow. 

“Men are stronger than women, not only physically but also intellectually”, explains Kyrill. Xenia agrees, accepting that if they were ever to disagree, Kyrill would have the final word. But even in Putin’s Russia, not all relationships resemble Xenia and Kyrill. Anzol, Irene and Belka live happily in a a threesome in a house they share with Anzol’s 62 year old mother. They even run monthly conferences on polyamory.

Meanwhile Tanya, dubbed the leader of Russia’s sexual revolution by the Moscow press, organises ‘kinky parties’ for 700 – 800 people.