What Did Russia Look Like in 2016?
The start of 2026 has brought with it the chilling realization that it's already been a full decade since 2016 — sparking a viral trend in which people post photos of themselves from that year.
In the Russia of 2016, artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Imagine Dragons and Lana Del Rey could be seen on stage, a Ukrainian actor and comedian named Volodymyr Zelensky was starring in films screened in Russia, Alexei Navalny was making waves in national politics and the country was gearing up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Following Instagram’s lead, here are some images of Russia as it was a decade ago.
In the Russia of 2016, artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Imagine Dragons and Lana Del Rey could be seen on stage, a Ukrainian actor and comedian named Volodymyr Zelensky was starring in films screened in Russia, Alexei Navalny was making waves in national politics and the country was gearing up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Following Instagram’s lead, here are some images of Russia as it was a decade ago.
Subway riders in Moscow take part in the “No Pants Subway Ride” on Jan. 10, 2016. The stunt was based on a flash mob launched by an improv group in New York City.
vk.com/nopantssubway
Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds draped in a Russian flag during the band’s concert in Moscow on Jan. 24, 2016.
@SHOCK3R999ch2 / YouTube
On Feb. 12, Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill met in Havana, Cuba.
The Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
Russian singer Zemfira performs during her Little Man Tour at Kazan’s Palace of Sports, Feb. 20.
A vocal critic of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, Zemfira has released multiple anti-war songs and has been declared a “foreign agent” by the Russian government.
A vocal critic of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, Zemfira has released multiple anti-war songs and has been declared a “foreign agent” by the Russian government.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
The Moscow premiere of the film “8 Best Dates,” starring none other than current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Feb. 24.
Zelensky did not attend the premiere himself.
Zelensky did not attend the premiere himself.
Anton Novoderezhkin / TASS
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny at a march to remember slain opposition politician Boris Nemtsov on the anniversary of his killing on Feb. 27.
Andrei Epikhin / TASS
British singer Elton John performs at the Crocus City Hall venue in Moscow's suburbs on the Wonderful Crazy Night Tour on May 30.
The venue would later become known as the site of a terrorist attack in which 145 people were killed on March 22, 2024.
The venue would later become known as the site of a terrorist attack in which 145 people were killed on March 22, 2024.
Artyom Geodakyan / TASS
Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs onstage during the 2016 Park Live international music festival at Moscow's Otkrytiye Arena on July 9.
Sergei Fadeichev / TASS
American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey performs at the Park Live international music festival at Otkrytiye Arena.
Dmitry Serebryakov / TASS
Team Russia arrives at the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5.
Michael Sohn / AP / TASS
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama greet each other during a meeting at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 5.
kremlin.ru
A banner to promote the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup featuring Zabivaka, the official mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, hangs in the train station at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Zabivaka was chosen as the mascot in October 2016.
Maria Antipina / TASS
In December, Navalny announced that he would run against Putin in the 2018 presidential election.
RFE/RL
