With the support of Rosneft, events to mark the start of Maslenitsa began in regions where the Company operates. The festival attracted tens of thousands of people from across the country and was a key event in the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia.

Blinis, which are a symbol of the sun and the main feature of Maslenitsa celebrations, were baked in accordance with the culinary traditions of the country’s different peoples at workplaces, in city squares, and in social institutions.

RN-Yuganskneftegaz, RN-Vankor, Kondaneft and Tyumenneftegaz fostered a special atmosphere at their remote production facilities. To bring a touch of home to their employees working in harsh northern conditions, they organised a Maslenitsa feast with thousands of fragrant blinis with various fillings, so that the oil workers could experience the warmth and spirit of the national holiday even far from home.

RN-Severo-Zapad organised folk festivities at the Vladimirovsky country complex in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. Guests were immersed in the unique culture of the region’s small peoples through activities such as Bogatyr games and round dances, as well as an introduction to the culinary traditions of the Ladoga Region. Meanwhile, Rosneft petrol station customers and their families enjoyed signature blinis prepared by the head chef of the Lakhta petrol station at the Zerno café.

During the first day of Maslenitsa week in Yamal, volunteers from Rospan International baked a record-breaking 2,500 blini, forming a stack over five metres high. SevKomNeftegaz held a culinary festival for oil workers, serving blinis prepared using recipes from various regions of Russia. Kharampurneftegaz organised a culinary masterclass for children at the Northern Lights orphanage, teaching them to cook traditional dishes.

Samotlorneftegaz organised a winter farewell party for the residents of Nizhnevartovsk in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, complete with a rich cultural and entertainment programme featuring songs, games and, of course, hot blinis. There was also an opportunity for everyone to take a memorable photo with a life-size polar bear puppet, a recognisable symbol of Rosneft.

Orenburgneft organised a festival of national traditions to celebrate the end of winter with schoolchildren in the Orenburg Region. The students presented traditional costumes and held a tasting of blinis prepared according to Tatar, Bashkir, Chuvash and Mordovian recipes. On Sakhalin, oil workers from Sakhalinmorneftegaz-Shelf visited a sponsored boarding house for disabled people and senior citizens, giving them Maslenitsa treats and necessary medical equipment.

Volunteers from Rosneft’s Samara group of enterprises dedicated the holiday to the National Cuisine Day of peoples from the Volga Region. Visitors enjoyed tasting Chuvash, Mordovian and Tatar blinis while watching performances by folk groups.

The Saratov Oil Refinery organised Maslenitsa celebrations for factory workers, their families, and veteran oil workers. Guests competed in a national costume contest, performed lively songs and danced the Russian round dance to a medley of folk melodies.

Thanks to the Angarsk Petrochemical Company, residents of the Angara Region were able to take part in traditional winter celebrations featuring songs, dances, competitions, masterclasses and festive treats. In the Khabarovsk Territory, volunteers from the Komsomolsk Refinery taught children from a local orphanage how to make traditional Russian blini.

In the Republic of Bashkortostan, home to over 110 different ethnic groups, the Bashneft Group organised a celebration combining Maslenitsa with winter sports and activities, including ski races, hockey in valenki boots, snow volleyball and family races. These festivities culminated in the ‘Russia – Our Common Home’ festival, which showcased the diverse culinary traditions of the region’s peoples. Alongside the traditional Russian blini, guests were treated to Bashkir chak-chak, Tatar echpochmak, and Chuvash khuplu.

Rosneft’s workforce is made up of people from many different nationalities, and the company operates throughout the country. The widespread celebration of Maslenitsa marks the beginning of Rosneft’s series of events in support of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia.

Department of Information and Advertising
Rosneft
February 16, 2026

Keywords: Social news 2026