Currently the icebreaker “50 let Pobedy” (“50 years of Victory”) is the largest nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world. Its construction was carried out at the Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad (later St. Petersburg). The construction began on October 4, 1989.

In 1993, further construction was suspended due to lack of funds. In 2003, the construction was resumed, and, February 1, 2007, the icebreaker went on sea trials, which lasted two weeks. The flag was raised March 23, 2007 and April 11 the icebreaker came to its home port in Murmansk. The estimated maximum thickness of ice that the icebreaker can go through is 2.8 m.

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Tags: Murmansk city

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.

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Tags: Mari El Republic

Tutaev is one of the towns of famous “Golden Ring” of Russia located in Yaroslavl oblast. The churches of Tutaev are picturesquely scattered on the hilly banks of the Volga and attract numerous tourists and architecture lovers from all over the world. The following nice winter views of Tutaev churches were taken by Petr Ushanov.

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Tags: churches · Yaroslavl oblast

The Church of the Transfiguration located in the village of Krasnoye (Staritskiy district, Tverskaya oblast) is one of the rarest in the region pseudo-Gothic buildings of the 18th century.

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Tags: churches · Tver oblast

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.

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Tags: landscapes · Mari El Republic

Ekaterinburg is the fourth largest city of Russia with the population over 1,3 million people; the city located in Sverdlovsk oblast is known as the “Capital of Ural”. The following photos of Ekaterinburg were taken by dedmaxopka in March, 2011.

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Tags: bird's eye views · Ekaterinburg city

Nice video showing the bird’s eye views of Yoshkar-Ola, the capital city of Mari El Republic. The video was shot in the beginning of April, 2011 so don’t be scared of the plenty of snow and ice :)

Tags: bird's eye views · Yoshkar-Ola city

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.

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Tags: churches · Moskovskaya oblast

Holy Trinity Ipatievsky Monastery is Orthodox monastery of the Russian Church. The monastery played significant role in Russian history of 16th and 17th centuries. It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1432.

The monastery is located in Kostroma, at the confluence of Kostroma and Volga rivers. It is situated relatively far from the central part of the city (about 30 minutes walk). Near the monastery there is a bridge across the river offering a good view. The photos were captured by Petr Ushanov.

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Tags: Kostroma city · monastery