Khabarovsk to get tallest building outside Moscow, the first 'skyscraper' in Siberia and Far East

It could be a big 'if' because Alexander Sokolov, mayor of Khabarovsk, is sceptical of the plan for a 'transparent' which would see Russia's 12th largest building. But Smena Trading insists it will go-ahead with the project for a 52 floor glass-cladfronted structure, compared to a specially cut diamond.

If so it would be Russia's 12th biggest building, overtaking the Soviet-era Ukraine Hotel in Moscow, completed in 1957, but also the tallest outside the capital. Khabarovsk is Russia's most easterly big city with a population of more than 500,000.

Mayor Alexander Sokolov said: 'People create troubles for themselves - investing in something that will not bring any income. We explain, explain, but thy do not believe us.' Already there was 168% availability in such property, he said.

He said dismissively: 'We really need to attract investment to more important things.' Chief architect of Khabarovsk region, Alexander Selemenev, said the Khabarovsk project was 'important for the country'.

Smena Trading plans to build its 202 metre skyscraper, but the project was postponed from this summer. Around it? An English landscape garden. Construction was due to start this summer, but was delayed. Some 24 floors would be devoted to offices.