Vapour trail casts ghostly spectre above Altai just minutes after rocket carrying satellite blasts off into space.

From 'fireworks' made from nothing more than hot water in minus 50C, to surfing in the Pacific, this is the New Year on our doorstep.

Animal charity WWF Russia in plea for help to prevent repeat of 1980s winter crisis that killed 90% of species in the region.

It's minus 25C but Vlad and Sasha find a scenic spot to practice, inspired by the Winter Olympics.

1,500 Interior Ministry troops deployed in host city for Winter Olympics.

Drivers take 12 days covering 7,000km to see how new 'plug-in' rechargeable cars cope with climate and landscape.

Ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, the flame will twice cross Siberia, once from west to east, then east to west.

The successful bid was at one of Siberia's most popular winter sports resorts - Sheregesh.

There won't by any other Russian idea or brand, or anything from Russia that would be as sellable as Russian Winter.