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Monday, March 7, 2011

Pics Russia Severe Arctic Murmansk 's Photos

Welcome to Murmansk – one of the major Russian seaports and the world’s biggest city situated north of the Arctic circle.


This is the first ice-resistant oil rig. It is really unique as it is going to work in extreme Arctic conditions.


One can judge the scale by people looking like ants.
Single Russian Army heavy cruiser in its category.
Memorial complex dedicated to the Soviet Union defenders during World War II.
Murmansk was repeatedly attacked by Hitler’s army consisting of 150 000 soldiers which counted to seize it in several days.
German army made two attempts to seize the city but both of them failed.
In the result of bombing about 3/4 of the city was destroyed.
Some vessels with waste nuclear fuel, once used for charging nuclear-powered icebrakers, still stay in the port. Utilization of one costs about 40 million euro.
Murmansk port consists of three parts: fish, trade and passenger. The trade part expands fast because of increasing export of coal. The city little by little drowns in coal dust and all the snow becomes grey.
Seaport.
4-lane bridge is the longest one located north to the Arctic circle.
Seaport buildings.
Nuclear-powered icebraker “Lenin” is parked forever by the seaport buildings.
Nuclear-powered icebreaker “Lenin” was the first surface vessel with nuclear engine unit. It served to these icy places for 30 years and in 1989 was put out of operation.
One may see that coal is now being loaded.




View from the sea.






The railroad is of great importance as well: despite the developed port a part of goods get delivered by trains.

Talking about climate, Murmansk is not a usual Northern city, because of the Gulf Stream the temperatures are abnormally high in winter: −10 −12 °C in February.