World's coldest region defies its stereotype. 

Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk suffering smoke pollution and infernos rage in forests after hot, dry weather.

Vadim Klabukov, 23, paid with his life after flouting safety rules when he went to retrieve lost backpack in South Kamchatka nature reserve.

More than 40 participants from Russia and abroad take part in the annual Lake Baikal challenge.

Dudinka marks beginning of its 350th year with amazing New Year light show.

Prosecutors probe flight from Yakutsk to Batagai as leaked video is flagged by local media.

Famed for the purest water on the planet, but this 'is no longer true' with 'no drinking' warning in southern part of lake.

In a sign of the times, children are taught 'to love the motherland' after the return of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia.

This is a small 3* hotel compared with some of Novosibirsk's cavernous options, with 33 rooms -  studios, luxury rooms and apartments available as well as standard singles and doubles - aimed mainly at the business traveller. 

The hotel offers conference hall, sitting 120 people.  

There is a round-the-clock grill bar and several saunas with billiards. All rooms are air-conditioned, with television and minibars. 

Dream holiday ruined by attack on remote road, but perpetrators caught.