There won't by any other Russian idea or brand, or anything from Russia that would be as sellable as Russian Winter.

A gargantuan investment in economic development across many eastern Russian regions was confirmed in Irkutsk by En+ Group.

Flooding now covers an area almost as large as France, Germany and Britain combined, or close to the equivalent of Texas and California.

Modern-day zeppelins costing $30 million each would revolutionise transport links and economic exploitation of Siberia in $240 billion plan.

Boris Fyodorov, 37, complains it was 'too warm', and now wants to try in minus 60C.

Transit passengers from 20 countries will be allowed 72 hours in Russia without the hassle of obtaining a visa.

'Scary' scenes as fumes from burning forests cover Lake Baikal, with people - and bears - fleeing 'Apocalypse'.

Foreigners should be invited to pay $10,000 per animal in novel way to fund cull needed to save reindeer and horses.