The Russian federal highway runs from Moscow to the city of Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha Republic. The city is located 4 degrees below the Arctic Circle and is reputed to be one of the coldest cities on Earth, with January temperatures averaging -40.9 degrees Celsius. Yakutsk City is the biggest city built on continuous permafrost. This region is also reputed for its unimaginable wealth in diamonds and gold, oil and gas. In fact, Sakha is the world’s second largest producer and exporter of diamonds. Yakutsk sits on the basin of the Lena River.
Although it is a vital highway, the road doesn’t have an asphalt surface. Every time it rains, the road is paralyzed. These shots were taken approximately a few days before some 600 vehicles were stuck here. Hunger followed, and vehicles ran out of fuel. A woman even gave birth to a child while stuck on a public bus. Construction teams were afraid to appear on site because people had been breaking the locks of their own vehicles in search of food and warm clothing.
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