It was described as a 'v-e-rrry hot day' in fashionable snow resort Sheregesh as 700 women and men (in swim suits) smashed the world record.

Rare and sacred Buddhist books were presented to mark the crowning of Nicholas II in 1896.

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

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

President Putin opened his visit to Buryatia by going to Ivolga Datsan, the main monastery of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha in Russia.

In case of any doubts, we mean the twitching variety, which are now back to Siberia, resting before their next extraordinary journey. 

Recent days have seen Siberia's nickel capital hotter than Nice and on a par with Naples.