Iwan Iwanowitsch receives a draft notice. He asks, "Who are we fighting against?" "Well, against the fascists." "Yes, and who are we fighting for?"

On five Russian platforms, Slavic scholar Prof. Christine Engel has collected and commented on jokes about the situation in Russia. Political jokes have always served as a form of protest against dictators, a way for like-minded individuals to come together, and also as a means of individual psychological relief. They create an important communicative space and thereby strengthen social groups.

The multifaceted, clever, and pointed little stories in this book provide nuanced insights into the mood and situation in the heavily censored country and reward the reader with laughter. There is always something to laugh about! This collection of jokes is timely – in an era where nothing is more important than maintaining a sense of cheerfulness.