Open for traffic: one of the great ice roads of the world declared safe for trucks

This 'winter road' - or zimnik - remains open two months a year giving access from the Arctic port of Pevek to the island of Ayon in the region of Chukotka. The ice road over the frozen sea is crucial to supply the 400 residents of the island with food, fuel and building materials. 

Once ice melts, there is no way to reach the island other than by helicopter or boat during a short navigation season in August, September and October. 

'We will need to deliver nearly 2,000 tons of coal, 300 tons of diesel and 90 tons of food before the road is shut at the beginning of May', said Sergey Chubchenko from the regional branch of Russia's Ministry of Emergencies. 

'The first two trucks loaded with food - and one with building materials - have already reached the island. 

'We have a strong storm now with winds reaching 40 metres a second, so other trucks are waiting on the mainland in Chukotka for the weather to calm down.' 

This is one of many ice roads in Siberia which are crucial for supplying remote communities. Others include stretches of the giant Lena River in Yakutia.