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RTDoc features original series and films on the most intriguing cultural, historical, environmental and human interest stories from around the world, as well as exclusive documentaries about Russia, produced in-house by RT.
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Sasha meets Russia. Flavors of the East. Altay: Where Mountains Meet the Sky

28:05

Altay is Russia's wild East, a land of rivers and mountain valleys, ancient traditions and unique cuisine. Sasha, an American with Russian roots, begins her journey along the Chuysky Trakt, the legendary Siberian highway stretching nearly 1,000 kilometres. Once part of the Great Silk Road, today it’s one of the world’s most scenic routes, and Sasha experiences it on horseback. To truly discover the spirit of Altay, tasting the local cuisine is a must: kocho, a hearty lamb soup; tea brewed with barley, milk, and salt; and dyorgom, a traditional dish made from boiled lamb intestines. Her next stop is the village of Kupchegen, where locals celebrate the annual blooming of the maralnik plant. Every spring, its vivid purple flowers blanket the mountainsides as people gather for feasts and fairs, compete in archery, and demonstrate their skill at knocking down wooden blocks with a traditional whip called a kamchy. In this episode, you’ll also discover a blue geyser lake, how to reach «Mars» without ever leaving Altay, and where to try chebureki filled with maral venison.

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. Magic on Ice 22:16 In this episode, Olympic champion Tatyana Navka reveals how she drew on her figure skating experience to create ice shows. Athletes become actors, while complex jumps and lifts become part of a dramatic production. Unlike in competitions, there is no rivalry in such performances. Only skill and grace of movement. Audiences appreciate this too – there is no need to worry about the result, only to enjoy the spectacle, the costumes, and the music. In 2025, the Navka Arena ice palace opened in Moscow, hosting performances, training athletes and bringing up the next generation of young Russian skaters. From childhood, they are taught not only skating technique but also acting skills. In 2026, the palace hosted a charity evening marking the anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Audiences came to see ‘Memory Diary’, an ice show dedicated to the war’s fallen heroes.

Добавить в избранное Curious Tofurious. Dagestan 49:20 For this latest episode, American Tofurious Crane’s next stop is Dagestan, a region of Russia in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains. His first stop is Derbent, Russia’s oldest and southernmost city on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Tofurious climbs to the top of the Naryn-Kala fortress and visits the Juma Mosque, one of the oldest in the world. A key section of the Great Silk Road once passed through this city, which is why, for centuries, various empires vied for control of the region. From there, he moves on to the Chirkey Reservoir, where a local explains how it became a vital source of drinking water and electricity. On the Caspian shore, Tofurious encounters the “Caspian Sea Monster”, the legendary Lun-class ekranoplan, a massive ship/aircraft hybrid weighing-in at more than 380 tonnes. He learns how people live in Russia’s oldest city and why the Juma Mosque remains at the heart of urban life in Derbent.

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. 21st-Century Russian Costumes 23:05 In this new episode, Peter Scott discovers the richness of Russian fashion and learns how designers are bringing traditional Russian motifs back into modern wardrobes. Peter meets fashion designer Sergey Sysoev, who has reinterpreted the traditional costume for Russian women. He shows our presenter how its key elements – silhouette, trim, and fabric – can be seamlessly woven into contemporary fashion. Peter also checks out some novel designs inspired by the beauty of Russia’s countryside, landscapes, nature, and homes. Traditional sarafans and aprons are given a fresh, modern reading in the hands of the young designers who created them. The presenter also meets designer Svetlana Levadnaya, who created her richly embroidered clothing based on Russian national costumes. These garments look almost like something from a fairy tale yet can easily be worn in everyday life. To discover how else Russia’s national style is finding expression in 21st-century fashion, watch the latest episode.

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. Kabardino-Balkaria: Land of Dance and Craft 26:52 Peter Scott explores Kabardino-Balkaria, a mountainous republic of striking landscapes and ancient traditions. Here, local culture is preserved through dance, costume and craftsmanship. Ethnographer Galimat Makoeva explains the traditional Kafa dance. It was once performed exclusively by princes. The music is lively, yet the dancers move with restraint and grace. Partners barely touch — such is the custom. Clapping was once believed to protect against the 'evil eye', while a dancer’s costume revealed much about its wearer. For instance, the colour of a woman’s dress indicated her age and social status. Peter also visits the home of craftswoman Asiyat, where he learns how a burka is made — a heavy felt cloak for horsemen that provides shelter and protection from the cold on long journeys. In Khamzat’s forge, Peter discovers how a dagger is crafted from layered steel — a symbol of honour and freedom in the Caucasus.

Добавить в избранное Sasha meets Russia. Flavors of the East. Krasnaya Polyana: The Russian Alps 27:49 In this new episode, Sasha, an American with Russian roots, travels to Krasnaya Polyana. She gets a taste of the “Russian Alps” and tries to understand why people keep returning to this place time and again. Sasha explores the ski slopes that once hosted athletes during the 2014 Winter Olympics. After conquering the runs, she warms up by sampling authentic southern Russian cuisine. At a mountain restaurant, she meets a chef who creates his menu from everything that grows and lives in the surrounding area: local cheese, vegetables, duck, and Caucasian herbs. Simple ingredients become the foundation for true “Caucasian pizza” and other traditional dishes. Sasha also visits a small zoo, where she encounters the “Krasnaya Polyana capybaras”. Watch and decide which Krasnaya Polyana is yours: adrenaline on the slopes, or a more relaxed escape with good food and capybaras?

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. The world of rhythmic gymnastics 22:23 Peter Scott meets Irina Alexandrovna Viner – one of the most renowned rhythmic gymnastics coaches and the long-time mentor behind many of Russia’s champions. Drawing on the examples of her students, including Lala Kramarenko and Alina Kabaeva, she explains how Russia develops athletes from their very first steps on the mat to the top of the world podium. Irina Viner outlines the key qualities required of a young gymnast, emphasising that natural ability alone is not enough. However, not everyone is willing to give up a carefree youth in exchange for hours of gruelling training. Elite sport is not for everyone: “You have to be born with this talent,” she says. The selection system is built on intense competition, which, in her view, is precisely why Russia continues to dominate the sport. The programme offers a behind-the-scenes look at rhythmic gymnastics in Russia through the personal perspective of one of the world’s most prominent coaches.

Добавить в избранное Lifestyle. Bridging Cultures: Russia and Beyond 26:29 This film tells the story of three foreigners who have tied their lives to Russia. Artist Marco Bravura is originally from Ravenna, the European capital of mosaic art. He first came to Russia more than twenty years ago. Marco was captivated by the country’s people, nature, and culture, and decided to continue creating precisely here. Today, he has his own studio in the Kaluga Region. His workshop is located in the former House of Writers, whose facade is adorned with mosaics created by Marco himself. These works are like a river connecting different cultures. Indian tailor Sammy Kotwani came to Moscow to make suits for diplomats. But over time, his main calling became building bridges between Russia and India. Every year, he organizes vibrant Indian cultural events that bring together people from both countries. Lawyer David Henderson-Stewart had planned to leave Russia and return home to Europe once his contract ended. But he decided to stay a bit longer and travel around the country. That was when he came across an old watch factory. David fell in love with the plant and its 300-year heritage, and stayed to build a new chapter in the factory’s history – and in his own life, which is now firmly planted in Russia.

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. Hospitable Bashkiria 26:26 The Republic of Bashkortostan’s greatest treasures are its people, customs, and hospitality. Peter Scott decided to set off on a new journey to get to know them better. Welcoming guests in Bashkiria is a beautiful ritual. Visitors are offered kumis served from a special ladle, and a traditional red towel is draped over their shoulder. The Bashkir people are ready to receive guests at any time, which is why they rarely set a precise hour for arriving at a feast. The hostess of the yurt dresses in traditional costume adorned with jewellery meant to ward off evil spirits. Her coin necklace resembles chain mail: in earlier times, it served not only as a symbol of wealth but also as protection, since women could fight side by side with men to defend their home. Neighbouring tribes often attacked to steal horses – the Bashkirs’ main companions in battle and daily life. To protect their families and livestock, boys were taught to be worthy warriors from an early age. In this episode, you’ll also learn why the Bashkirs are called the ‘Northern Amurs’ and how the soul of the people is expressed through musical instruments – the kurai and kubyz.

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. Peterhof. The Kingdom of Fountains and Gardens 23:52 Peterhof Palace is often called the ‘Kingdom of Fountains’, yet behind its beauty lies the immense labor of its creators and a history spanning three centuries. The fountains are still operated manually, much as they were in the time of Peter the Great. This is a unique monument to engineering: no pumps are used – water flows from a higher elevation, naturally building pressure and rising into the fountains. The streams form intricate water bouquets, while Peter’s famous trick fountains suddenly spray unsuspecting visitors. From this ‘Kingdom of Fountains’, you can step into lush green gardens that Peter the Great personally designed: strict alleys stood alongside vegetable beds, fruit trees, and ponds stocked with fish for the imperial table. Inside the palace, visitors enter halls decorated in a lavish golden Baroque style that were once the setting for grand balls and opulent receptions. In the latest episode, discover how this St. Petersburg suburb survived near-total destruction during World War II and was brought back to life.