I arrived in Russia from the US in 2006, then what!? (VIDEO)

Gateway to Russia

Nov 06 2026

Usually, Tim Kirby asks the questions, but for his 20th anniversary, he’s switching places with his guests. From filming on the brink of survival to getting a Russian passport — Tim is finally answering your most burning questions!

Usually, in my videos, I ask foreigners who have moved to Russia things like: why they chose the country, what surprised them here, and how their lives have changed?

But today is different! To celebrate my 20th anniversary in Russia, I decided to switch places with my guests. In this episode, I am answering the most popular and pressing questions from my audience myself.

When I arrived in Moscow in 2006, I had no idea how much lay ahead of me. An internship at Moscow State University, work in the Russian media, travels to the most remote corners of the country, filming on the brink of survival, American football, obtaining Russian citizenship, and other dreams that eventually became reality.

Over these 20 years, a lot has changed: Russia, my life, and I myself. But why did I stay here?
What continues to amaze me after all these years? And what is it really like to be an American who has tied their fate to Russia?

In this episode, I share my personal experience and recall the most memorable moments of my journey. 20 years of stories, unexpected twists, and discoveries! Enjoy watching!