Cosmodrome “Vostochny” is being built in the Far East of Russia in Amur region, near the village of Uglegorsk. The total territory reserved to the needs of the cosmodrome is 1035 square km.

The first launch is scheduled for the end of 2015, the first launch of manned spacecraft – in 2018. The total cost of the project is about $ 9 billion. Several new photos from the construction site taken two days ago (June 1, 2014) by Dmitry Rogozin.

future of Russian space program

Tags: Amur oblast

An exciting walk to the far corners of the mountainous Ingushetia. You can see the unique symbiosis of majestic nature and ancient watchtowers.

Unfortunately, the North Caucasus region remains unsafe because of high level of terrorist activity, that’s why tourist trips there are very risky. Luckily, there are still people who can visit these beautiful places and take some pictures. Photos by Timur Agirov

amazing scenery

Tags: Ingushetia Republic · landscapes

Trinity Church, built in 1827-1832, is located near Pyatino village (western edge of Ulyanovsk region). Previously, next to the church, there was a manor of noble family of Annenkov.

The church is rapidly decaying; domes and columns in the interior are crumbling. It looks like nobody cares about preserving it. Pyatino landscape is definitely one of the most fascinating Russian landscapes. Photos by av_otus

abandoned beauty

Tags: Abandoned · churches · Ulyanovsk oblast

“Sheremetevo Castle” is a unique park and palace complex, located in the village of Yurino in Mari El Republic (about 200 km from Yoshkar-Ola and 650 km from Moscow), an architectural monument of federal importance.

Construction of this huge castle-palace was going about forty years (1874-1915). As a result, you can see a wonderful eclectic mix of Western European and Oriental Gothic, Romanesque and Old Russian architecture.

very picturesque place

Tags: Mari El Republic

In this photo made not far from Udina volcano (Kamchatka krai), you can see the lava tube window. If you look into this truly hellish pit, you can watch the lava river. Photo by Denis Budkov

Tags: Kamchatka krai

Snow is almost gone in many Russian cities and soon nothing will remind of winter.

Goodbye winter frosts! Let’s enjoy these beautiful winter photos taken in the forest somewhere in Chelyabinsk region by marateaman

dreamlike winter forest

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast · landscapes

The White Sea is an inland sea located in the north of the European part of Russia. The Solovetsky Islands (also known as Solovki) is the largest archipelago of the White Sea, part of Arkhangelsk region.

The Solovetsky Islands, as well as the five-kilometer area of the White Sea, are included in the protected area – Solovki State Historical and Nature Museum-Reserve. Photos by borh_84

frozen landscapes

Tags: Arkhangelsk oblast · landscapes

European part of Russia is dominated by abnormally warm weather. The temperature often rises above zero degrees; it is raining; snow in many places has almost completely melted. Global warming?

However, there are still places in Russia “enjoying” ringing frost, and they are located in Siberia of course. In particular, you can see how life looks when the temperature is below 30 degrees Celsius in Yakutia. Photos by Alex Cheban

pictures of the frozen world

Tags: Sakha Republic

Chirkeisk Hydro Power Plant (HPP) is standing on the Sulak River near the village Dubki, in the Buinaksk district of Dagestan Republic. It is the largest HPP in the North Caucasus.

This power station has the second highest dam in Russia (232.5 meters). Also, it is the highest arch dam in Russia. Chirkeisk HPP is located in the narrow gorge bearing the same name.

magnificent views

Tags: Dagestan Republic

Defense expenditures in Russia are growing every year (about 14-18% of the total expenditure of the budget). In 2012, these costs amounted to about 1865 billion rubles (62 billion USD).

Some of these funds are spent on the purchase of new equipment, weapons, warehousing of the equipment at military bases scattered throughout Russia.

scenic post-apocalyptic views

Tags: Abandoned