Novosibirsk Travel Forum

My fiancee is from Novosibirsk but our engagement has met some very disapproving behaviour from mainly 2 of her previous friends - namely two of her ex-boyfriends friends who are loosely associated with and work for the mafia.

She came to visit me for the summer as she is finishing university now and since her return to Novosibirsk she has been threatened by these men that they will take her to a bana and gang rape her then leave her naked in the forest and that if, as is planned i come to visit at christmas and new year they will hurt me badly. In terms of these people it means a good beating at least but probably worse, guns or knives included.

As a result she feels it safer that we go somewhere else to spend time together, and she knows Novosibirsk life well. Having already had one incident with these people in the past I am asking, is it really safe for me to travel there for Christmas or should I let these men get what they want and drive our relationship to the desparation of finding somewhere where we will both be safe?

Christmas for you in Novosibirsk doesn't augur well! :-)
Since your gf knows the place well, why don't you listen to her advice? I don't think anyone here knows these gangsters enough to give you useful advice...

I especially hope your gf will take measures to ensure her security against their threats. I strongly suggest that you both focus on her security now, before thinking of where to go for Christmas holidays.

Take care and all the best!

the best for her is to disappear completely;new location and new name,if possible new country

then,she will contact you

the mafia gangs rape and kill night and day,it is their job

I lived in Russia for 4 years. If your gf is afraid of what might happen to her and to you, then you should listen to her advice.

If you are planning to spend time together than do so in a different city.
The rail system in Russia is extensive and cheap (but slow). It is fairly easy to travel to other places.

Have you thought about how you plan to travel to see her?
If so, just look at another destination.
There are hostels and hotels in many Russian cities.
It is also possible to arrange a short term lease of someone's apartment.

Well - not being an expert on Russia, but acquainted with common sense, I would not be planning to visit Novisibirsk. You're the target of an explicit threat, so you should not be thinking of going anywhere near the place. Obviously I don't know your longer term plans, but I would be suggesting your GF packs up and leaves too. Good luck.

I agree with others - stay away from the place! And your girlfriends safety must be paramount, and if that involves her moving away to a safer location then go with it. The threats sound very genuine and therefore extremely frightening. Never mind giving in - STAY SAFE!

Wish you luck my friend. We are both in the "same boat",even my gf is from Novosibirsk. Let me know how it goes, so if one day I have to go there, I ll know what to expect.
Take Care

Unfortunately, you are up against an aspect of Russian (and of course not only Russian) culture that is not likely to change anytime soon. I love Russia, Russians,and Russian culture, but I am very upset by the male chauvinistic attitudes that I have encountered, even from male friends that I am very close to. When I found out that a male acquaintance of mine who had slept with a female acquaintance of mine on several occasions had a fiancee, and happened to mention that I felt that it was very wrong and that I felt bad for the fiancee, my Russian boyfriend at the time said that he thought it was perfectly okay. Yet, he went on to say, if he ever found his girlfriend with another man, he would kill both her and her lover (this was coming from a peaceful student, not someone involved in a gang or anything). This double standard persists not only in Russia,but in many countries around the world. Of course, often the threats are "just talk", but there have been too many incidents to justify taking a risk, even when it's not involving "mafia men". And in the end, which is more important, finding a place that is safe for you and your girlfriend,or the satisfaction of knowing that you didn't let these men "get their way"?

Hello,

I have a gf in Novosibirsk and I had no problem at all !
I have been everywhere day and night and never get
agressed by people.I am very careful ....As said in the previous email go in another town with your gf ....it is
the best solution...They will know where you are all the
times...For example, I have met met girls in club and two days later, she was in front of me...I did not speak to her...Again, be very careful and go somewhere else.

I would not recomend you to go there. First of all, I think that your 'girlfriend' does not want you there, because the story she told you seems a little bit too extreme. She made a pretty good story for a typical foreiner to get scaried. You can always meet in another country and spend much better time together, so she would be relaxed and you want be scaried of
'gangs from Novosibirsk'.

Too funny. She's married and wants you to take her on a vacation somewhere else! You don't know Russian women :-))

Well, I was laughing for about 10 minutes after I have read your message. As I'm Russian and live in Novosibirsk, it's so funny for me(what you wrote). Everyone pretend to be a gangster. Just come, have a good time, it's safe as long as you don't walk in the dark streets. + police will definetly take care of you if anything will happen, because our country receives money from tourist and the governmet is interested in attracting more tourists. don't be afraid doode. write me in case if anything is gonna happen to you, i will help.

And don't listen to the sh*t like it's best for her to leave, change name, passport. Don't be a p*ssy and everything is gonna be fine man :)

Heavens! Was this thread really from 2003???