Professional photographer Alexander Petrosyan has spent years and years discovering and documenting infinite layers of St. Petersburg through street photography. His photo series - not only beautiful but also grotesque - invites outsiders to step inside the raw and unpredictable streets and experience the life of Russian people without a filter, common for polished postcards or travel documentaries.

Petrosyan received his first camera as a birthday present when he was 12, but he quit and came back to photography multiple times, before finally turning professional in 2000. His biggest inspiration comes from the streets of St. Petersburg, where he has lived his whole life. From the times of the Russian Empire to the near destruction during World War II, and the rebirth under Vladimir Putin - the city is full of real life and history, and Alexander knows every corner of it by heart. "This is my world," he says.

Now a full-time photojournalist, Alexander doesn't leave his home without a camera and a backup battery. "Perception depends on many different factors," he says. "But if the picture is taken with a certain energy, the viewer will feel it, regardless of geography and culture."

Now scroll down below and check the interesting photos of life in Russia for yourself!

More info: aleksandrpetrosyan.com | Instagram | Facebook (h/t: dyt)

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She just took the "walk of shame" to a whole new level

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    #8

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    John L
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Streetwise cow, who knows where she is going in life.

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    #9

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    Dinah J
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I sure hope the photographer did not leave the animal inside that car to starve...the melting snow around that window looks like it's been there a few days at least.

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    #14

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    Cathy Shift
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is the most moving photo in the entire gallery.

    Daria B
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can't be sure that silhouette is not a woman. Also, what if they're not together at all and it's all just an optical illusion? But it's interesting either way. This picture's value is in that it tells so many different stories, depending on your interpretation and immagination.

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    #16

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    Sophia Bozok
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg I used to be that girl. What was I thinking?

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    #19

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's just doing his part to help put out the fire!

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    #22

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    Christina Wood
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a glorious picture. Would love a big canvas print of it.

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    #23

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    Julia Tingarov
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW! Y'all know this is Eastern Orthodox Cross? I love this composition!!!

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    #24

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    Cahit Andaç
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow Russians took human cloning to whole new level -_-

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    #26

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    Meowoui
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Should we, they won't know it was us, I'm telling you there are hundreds of us, what they going to do a DNA test on all the poop they find?

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    #27

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    TheReader19
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This picture is so sad, the kid look so poor. However; kids are always so positive and happy no matter what their situation

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    #28

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    Andrew Cas
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow a day in the Aussie outback only Russia

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    #36

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    Cathy Shift
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they're wearing dress pants. thank you, i'll be here all week.

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    #37

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    Polianne Gonzalez
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok now I absolutely love it that camera oh my God I'm going to Russia just to get one of those camera beautiful just beautiful

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    #39

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like she's helping a miniature man up the ladder

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    #42

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    Bogdan Ionescu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These photo are so cringey! They're magnificent!

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    #43

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    Ana Super
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look at the dog eyes so dreamy...

    #45

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    Jake Malone
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nobody is holding their crotch and only one guy has his legs crossed. What picture are you looking at?

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    #47

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you know what she's thinking ... "F*CK YOU!" lol

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    #59

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    Meowoui
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just like here, cover over the man holes, come back later to dig them up again.

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    #60

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    jevais
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very hard conditions are what most people have to put up with in so many countries throughout the world

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    #61

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    Pobin Rice
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    FAKE!!! no Russian ever wasted alcohol. EVER.

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    #64

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    Meowoui
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, I didn't do it I swear.

    #68

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    jevais
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Poor babushka. So sad to see such elderly people obliged to work. In the USA this also is often the case. Old age pensions are so low or not existent.

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    #69

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    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    finally, a picture where the weather doesnt look so cold and miserable.

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    #72

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    Miglė Kartanaitė
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The author of the picture with boy - Antanas Sutkus

    #74

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    jevais
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unbelievable the horrid living conditions.

    #75

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    frederic eeckman
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those who wonder what it is, it says "toilet".

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    #79

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    Sua Kang
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have so many questions about every single photo

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    #80

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    Miyuki Nohara
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    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    children living in the street is the saddest part of all.

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    #81

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    PetruF
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Done posing for the painting in the background. Going to the market

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    #82

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    Cayman
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dramatic :) Love the shadows and the light on the wall and floor

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    #85

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    tatiana gonzales
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ballerina 1: I just gained 2lbs Ballerina 2: gasp...!

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    #87

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    Janet Martin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How is the face halfway in the ground? Bizarre and beautiful.

    #91

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    Jace
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure what this is about but the photo is excellent.

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    #93

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    Bruce Kunde
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The very rich and very poor and no middle........just as America is becoming

    #95

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    #96

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    Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ""Dance me to the End of Love""". Pls put Leonard's song to play while watching this photo it will make a lot of sense......

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    #97

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    Joyce Stewart
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonderful capture of light at the exact moment.

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    #99

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    #102

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    Deneille Smith
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    His art looks like a painting, it's breath taking

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    #104

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    #107

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    Thomas O'Keefe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's all in the attitude, kid. (52 years later)

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    #111

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    Polianne Gonzalez
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like the Italian movie Ladrón de bicicleta by Rosellini beautiful

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    #114

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    Thomas O'Keefe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I don't care what you hear. Just keep walking."

    #115

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    Jace
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This photo is rotated wrongly. It should be in portrait orientation.

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    #116

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    #119

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    Jack Sheehan
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish the instructions were in Russian, I'm getting wet...

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    #120

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    PetruF
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Girls, come quick! Hot guy doing flips just outside!

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    #123

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    Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ""Dance me to the End of Love""". Pls put Leonard's song to play while watching this photo it will make a lot of sense......

    #124

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    Thomas O'Keefe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's right. They're coming for you, sister.

    #125

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    Cheryl Adams
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does anyone else reference "Young Frankenstein"?

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    #127

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    PetruF
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is such a good photo, I would've asked Lenovo to pay me for it, if I were the photographer

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    #128

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    #129

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    George Koukos
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What the hell is this? Shouldn't there be a changing room at the very least?

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    #131

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    Rebecca Ri
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He is like: "homosexual actions and it's propaganda are forbidden! And now turn around. I must touch you with my mighty stick!"

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    #133

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    Amanda Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This makes me uncomfortable for the little girl

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    #134

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    Thomas O'Keefe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Little did they know ... it was a selfie.

    #136

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    KaileighDark05
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought the guy on his shirt was carrying him too😂

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    #137

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    #139

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    Doris Culverhouse
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have some beautiful clothes and shoes but then there is the homeless paupers.

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    #141

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    Thomas O'Keefe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some say the human body is a work of art. Others have eyes.

    #143

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    #144

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    Jace
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone explain please. These don't look like homeless people to me

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    #145

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    Thomas O'Keefe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like an ad for Star Wars' next villain.

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    #147

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    Jace
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This photographer seems to follow weddings as a way to find interesting photos. Or maybe is a wedding photographer? I forgot to check the link to the photographer because Bored Panda collapses articles into sound bites.

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    #149

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    Kevin Burke
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mascow: Come for the Vodka, stay for the tear gas.

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    #150

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    Jack Sheehan
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At 5 rupees each, looks like about 6000 rupees...

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    #151

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    Janet Martin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My teeth. I dropped them somewhere!

    #159

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    stanley estus
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    & this is the homeless that Russia says doesnt exist here.

    #163

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    Tony Faure
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been waiting for this, couldn't wait!

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    #165

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    #166

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    hendra susilo
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    hboplay99 cuman di sini doang kalo ngasih maxwin ga ada obat

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    #168

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    #169

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    Walkus-Andrew Andrea
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    final few days of pregnancy is always the hardest on a person

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