Now the Far East of Russia linked to beaches and cities in the sun with direct routes from Vladivostok on low-cost airline Vietjet.

More than 130billion roubles invested in special gambling zone to lure wealthy Asian tourists to Russia, complete with its own beach, marina and ski area.

Impressive official events but also emotional marches by people carrying portraits of loved ones who served in WW2.

150-strong delegation of Far East businesses attend the First Russia-China EXPO.

One of world’s rarest big cats was hit by a car and went through months of treatment at the rescue centre in Russian Far East.

Nicknamed Forrest Gump, he completes a 9,905 kilometre odyssey braving temperatures as low as minus 48C on his 18 month adventure.

Rescuers finally reached him after 17 days but there was ‘no miracle’.

Parents concerned about their children from huge wild cat  - or more than one - on the loose, with another terrorising Solontsovy village.