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.

Real-life adventurers to a 'professional blonde' queue to participate in the ultimate brutal television reality contest, where 'rape and murder' are not banned.

A daily bucket of icy water poured over the head 'helps block winter illnesses, and makes children optimistic'.

Cats and dogs are left at the mercy of extremely cold weather reaching -50C with no proper animal winter shelter in Yakutsk.

There are only two places in Russia where Whooper Swans come for winter.

As the world prepares to herald in the arrival of 2015, we look back at the winter celebrations of the Soviet yesteryear.

Fears another bear that also failed to hibernate for winter is also on the run near Vilyuchinsk.

Warmer winter caused problems for Sergey whose misfortune, and quick rescue, were captured on his own hi-tech camera.

Drivers and passengers escaped their sinking lorries but oil is leaking into the world’s 11th longest river, prompting a local state of emergency.