Astrakhan oblast is situated in Caspian lowland where Volga River flows into Caspian Sea. The largest part of Astrakhan oblast is occupied by semideserts. But some parts of the region are looking like the real desert and here is an example.

It is “Big Brother” – one of the largest and highest barkhans in Astrakhan oblast. The height of this sand dune is about 20 meters. Photos by Maxim Korotchenko.

(more…)

Tags: Astrakhan oblast

Norilsk is a city located in northern part of Krasnoyarsk krai, about 90 km east of the Yenisei River. It is one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Environmental hazard for the population of the city and its surrounding areas is caused by the work of one of the world’s largest mining and, simultaneously, metal making plants.

(more…)

Tags: Abandoned · Krasnoyarsk krai · Norilsk city

Vozdvizhenka is an airbase located in Primorsky krai. A heavy bomber aviation regiment was deployed at the airbase armed with supersonic long-range strategic bombers Tupolev Tu-22M3.

In 2010, the regiment was disbanded, some aircraft were transferred to other airbases. The airframes of others are waiting to be cut for metal. The airfield is abandoned. Photos by KFSS.ru.

(more…)

Tags: Abandoned · Primorye krai

I have found the following interesting video from boat trip to the Pacific Ocean near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The song is “You hear the sea”, children’s choir of the Leningrad Radio and Television (1981). Filming – Eugene Firsov, editing – Oleg Vereshchagin.

Tags: Kamchatka krai · Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city

Karst lake Marine Eye situated near the village Shariboksad, Volga district of Mari El Republic stands out as a form of volcanic crater. The depth of the lake is 37 meters, 45 to 50 m in diameter. Water transparency is significant, up to 5.5 m. The water of the lake is known for its unique characteristic emerald green color.

(more…)

Tags: Mari El Republic

Boguchanskaya hydropower plant is being constructed on the Angara River (about 12 km from Kodinsk town and 740 km from Krasnoyarsk city). The construction of the station began in 1980 and was frozen from 1994 to 2005 due to lack of funds.

(more…)

Tags: Krasnoyarsk krai

Mari El Republic is one of the most ecologically pure territories in the European part of Russia. There are a lot of beautiful lakes, rivers and forests on the territory of the republic. The region is a popular destination for travelers and tourists who are enjoying nature. The photos were taken by Dmitry Mordolff.

(more…)

Tags: landscapes · Mari El Republic

The following nice photos were taken on the shore of Baltic Sea (resort town of Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad oblast) by Andrey Rumyantsev.

(more…)

Tags: Kaliningrad oblast · landscapes

The Church of Vladimir Icon of Mother of God located in the village of Bykovo (Moskovskaya oblast) was built in 1789. White stone church constructed in Russian Gothic style has no worthy counterparts in the church architecture of Moscow region, and, perhaps, in the church architecture of Russia in general.

By the side of the street on which the church is standing, in the depths of the old park, Bykovo mansion is located. The current building of the estate was built in 1856. The photos were captured by Denis Frantsouzov.

(more…)

Tags: churches · Moskovskaya oblast

Volchansk (Sverdlovsk oblast) is the smallest town in Russia with the tram. Its population is just 10,000 residents. The tram has been running from 1951 and connects the southern and northern parts of the town.

The length of a single line is 8 kilometers. There is only one car on the line. The video was captured by Victor Borisov.

Tags: Sverdlovsk oblast