Winter 2026 in Russia: Just look at the snowy, frosty cities! (PHOTOS)

Yury Kochetkov / Sputnik
Yury Kochetkov / Sputnik
The start of the year has been exceptionally snowy and cold, but Russians are used to it! We’ve put together a small photo chronicle of how the different corners of the country look right now!

This year, winter has been very snowy. But, it seems that even foreigners enjoyed it!

Alexei Nikolsky / Sputnik
Alexei Nikolsky / Sputnik

In Moscow, people have been literally sledding or simply sliding down huge snowdrifts.

Yury Kochetkov / Sputnik
Yury Kochetkov / Sputnik

Until the end of winter, a New Year's fair and the GUM skating rink are open to the general public on the Red Square in Moscow.

Mikhail Voskresensky / Sputnik
Mikhail Voskresensky / Sputnik

Meanwhile, Moscow's river trams, like icebreakers, operate in any weather!

Yury Kochetkov / Sputnik
Yury Kochetkov / Sputnik

A particularly large amount of snow fell in Kamchatka. Memes and AI fantasies about the enormous snowdrifts flooded the internet. And the main pastime for locals was… digging out their cars!

Alexander Piragis / Sputnik
Alexander Piragis / Sputnik

However, those who couldn't dig theirs out had to go to extremes to get to their destination! 

Alexander Piragis / Sputnik
Alexander Piragis / Sputnik

In Tomsk, the temperature dropped to a staggering -46°C (-51°F) but, life went on, with people rushing to work and school as per usual.

Nikita Goltsov / Sputnik
Nikita Goltsov / Sputnik

Severe temperatures are no reason not to walk your pets! This pup loving this year’s snowy winter was spotted in Krasnoyarsk.

Ilya Naimushin / Sputnik
Ilya Naimushin / Sputnik

In Kazan, a brave Spitz visited a skating rink.

Maxim Bogodvid / Sputnik
Maxim Bogodvid / Sputnik

Meanwhile, the hardy residents of Novosibirsk fear no cold They even say it's warmer in the water than in the air!

Alexander Kryazhev / Sputnik
Alexander Kryazhev / Sputnik

Ice fishing is a favorite pastime for men across the country. Pictured below are fishermen heading off to their fishing spots in Vladivostok.

Vitaly Ankov / Sputnik
Vitaly Ankov / Sputnik

Another popular pastime is cross-country skiing. It's especially favored by older generations.

Pelagiya Tikhonova / Sputnik
Pelagiya Tikhonova / Sputnik

And, in Suzdal, you can warm up at folk festivities and fairs.

Masxim Bogodvid / Sputnik
Masxim Bogodvid / Sputnik

Snow and sub-zero temperatures even hit Crimea! A rare phenomenon…

Konstantin Mikhalchevsky / Sputnik
Konstantin Mikhalchevsky / Sputnik