You're reading: The Moscow Times: Five reasons why Russia should never have sold Alaska to the US

When a large swath of land changed hands from Russia to the United States 148 years ago, both sides in the Alaska Purchase felt it was a good bargain. At the time, the deal allowed the United States access to Alaska's resources while also significantly extending its territory. The Russian Empire, on the other hand, got to fill its coffers: It received $7.2 million for 1,518,800 square kilometers of land.

But what if the Alaska Purchase had never happened? How would Russia differ today? And what has it lost out on by giving it away?

Read the story here.