Legendary Soviet satirist Zhvanetsky dies aged 86

Mikhail Zhvanetsky, a legendary Russian satirist and stand-up comedian who ridiculed the absurdities of Soviet life and was known for his quietly subversive humour, died on Friday at the age of 86. Humour played a huge role in the Soviet Union, allowing satirists to bypass political censorship and ordinary Russians to vent their anger and frustration.