The view from a helicopter flying above the ruins of a gulag that served for the construction of an unfinished high latitude railway, the 'Transpolar Mainline', that was to link the northern cities of...

The Medvezhiy Ruchey open pit mine.

A man wades in a lake on a winter evening.

Alexander Rumyantsev in one of the apartments he inhabits in Norilsk. He has been in and out of prison and after being assigned to a small, 12 sq metre flat after coming out of prison, he decided to s...

A man stands on a landing in an apartment block in Norilsk. Much of daily life during the colder months happens indoors due to the extreme outdoor temperatures.

Fish, caught in the Pyasino River, are stored in a cave carved out of the permafrost and used as a natural freezer by hunters. The cave was excavated during the Soviet era using machines from the mini...

Reindeer carcasses stored in a cave carved out of the permafrost and used as a natural freezer by hunters. The cave was excavated during the Soviet era using machines from the mining industry in Noril...

After spending nine months in confined indoor spaces the people of Norilsk like to escape to the tundra when the weather turns nice. Two young man sit on a hillock overlooking a still partially snow c...

A group of Norilsk residents sit at a table on the shore of Lama Lake near Norilsk on an outing from the city. When the weather becomes slightly warmer residents are keen to get outside, having spent...

An unfinished multi storey residential building that was started during the Soviet Union but was abandoned in the early 1990s due to economic and political changes in Russia. The city of Norilsk, in...

A man sits on his bed in a run down hostel in Norilsk. In order for citizens of former Soviet republics to come and live in the city they are required to get special permits which are issued when a co...

A mother 'walks' her child on the balcony of her apartment since it's too cold to take the child outside. The city is one of the coldest in the world with winter temperatures averaging -30C. Around 28...

A worker handles a glowing metal rod next to a large industrial container full of molten metal at one of the smelters in Norilsk. The complex consists of three plants - the nickel plant, the copper p...

A celebration takes place in the house of an immigrant Muslim family in Norilsk. Norilsk has many immigrants from Azerbaijan, other Muslim republics in the Caucasus, the republic of Bashkortostan in R...

An unfinished multi storey residential building that was started during the Soviet Union but was abandoned in the early 1990s due to economic and political changes in Russia is seen through a set of r...

Rows of abandoned high rise residential buildings in Norilsk. The city is facing an infrastructural crisis since most of the buildings were built on pylons driven into permafrost. As the top layer of...

A portrait of Lenin painted on the wall of an abandoned building in Norilsk. After the Gulag camps were closed many people left the city. In turn, the Soviet government tried to attract new residents...

A portrait of a worker in one of the smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel. To attract workers the company gives 90 days holiday a year and allows workers to retire at the age of 45. The complex consi...

A man wheels a bag on a trolley out of a lift in a residential apartment block in Norilsk. Many entrance halls of these blocks are decorated with brightly coloured images of summer scenes and tropical...

A view of the town of Norilsk with smoke stacks belonging to Norilsk Nickel, the city's main employer, visible in the distance. Norilsk NIckel is said to be worth around 1.9% of Russia's GDP. The cit...

An unfinished multi storey residential building that was started during the Soviet Union but was abandoned in the early 1990s due to economic and political changes in Russia. The city of Norilsk, in...

A miner wearing a helmet and head torch rests next to an operation board in a mine in Norilsk. The city of Norilsk, in the far north of Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, was founded in the 1920s and today...

A woman rides on a public bus past a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Norilsk. The city is one of the coldest in the world with winter temperatures averaging -30C. Around 280 days of the year have freezing...

A young woman stands in a solarium in Norilsk. Due to the city's far northern location it gets very little light during the winter months, with a six period every winter when the sun doesn't rise at a...

The interior of an abaondoned multi storey building in Norilsk. The city is facing an infrastructural crisis since most of the buildings were built on pylons driven into permafrost. As the top layer o...

A man sits on his bed in a run down hostel in Norilsk. A woman sits on a chair near him. In order for citizens of former Soviet republics to come and live in the city they are required to get special...

A woman stands next to a bannister watching Norilsk residents enjoying a dip in an icy lake as part of the so-called 'Walrus' club. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut into the ice and t...

A caravan of public buses travels in convoy during a snow storm taking workers from their homes to work within the Greater Norilsk area. If one bus breaks down the passangers can be absorbed by anothe...

Children play in puddles which appear suddently with the arrival of spring when huge quantities of snow melt. The winter in Norilsk can last the best part of nine months. The city of Norilsk, in the...

A residential apartment block is visible above a wall of snow in Norilsk. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inha...

The interior of an abaondoned multi storey building in Norilsk covered in snow with pieces of abandoned furniture. The city is facing an infrastructural crisis since most of the buildings were built...

During the Russian religious holiday of 'Maslenitsa' (Shrovetide) it is traditional to burn a big doll (Lady Maslenitsa). In pagan tradition Maslenitsa is a sun festival that celebrates the imminent e...

Norilsk residents enjoy a dip in an icy lake as part of the so-called 'Walrus' club. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut into the ice and then retire to a 'banya' (or sauna) which is hea...

A woman walks in front of an abandoned multi storey residential building in Norilsk. The city is facing an infrastructural crisis since most of the buildings were built on pylons driven into permafro...

Pedestrians walk on the pavement and cars pass on a cold night in Norilsk. A temperature display shows -38C. The city is one of the coldest in the world with winter temperatures averaging -30C. Around...

Molten metal is poured into a container in one of the Smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel. The complex consists of three plants - the nickel plant, the copper plant and 'Nadezhda' ('Hope') plant bui...

A woman walks through a tunnel that has been dug through snow which has piled in a residential area of Norilsk. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes...

A worker walks down the central walkway in one of the plants belonging to Norilsk Nickel. The complex consists of three plants - the nickel plant, the copper plant and 'Nadezhda' ('Hope') plant built...

The outskirts of Norilsk are covered in industrial detritus, ranging from industrial waste, discarded materials, scrapped cars, trucks and buses and various items of e-waste, including old computers....

A woman stands in the middle of a tunnel dug through the snow in Norilsk. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inha...

An industrial process in one of the smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel is lit up by the light emanating from molten material. The complex consists of three plants - the nickel plant, the copper pla...

The interior of an abaondoned multi storey building in Norilsk covered in ice. The city is facing an infrastructural crisis since most of the buildings were built on pylons driven into permafrost. As...

A man walks across a street covered in black slush. When spring arrives in Norilsk, the snow that has accumulated over the winter melts, leaving slush and large puddles. The city of Norilsk, in the f...

Norilsk residents enjoy a dip in an icy lake as part of the so-called 'Walrus' club. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut into the ice and then retire to a 'banya' (or sauna) which is hea...

Grave stones in a cemetery are seen against the backdrop of one of the smelters in Norilsk. According to Pure Life (formerly Blacksmith Institute) the life expectancy in Norilsk is 10 years less than...

People commute to work in a public bus during the polar summer when the sun doesn't set properly for 45 days in Norilsk. The city of Norilsk, in the far north of Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, was found...

A man walks down a hill toward a residential apartment block in the city of Norilsk. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city f...

An old Soviet vehicle stands in front of apartment blocks lit up during the polar day when, for around 45 days, the sun doesn't properly set. The city of Norilsk, in the far north of Russia's Krasnoy...

A Norilsk resident enjoys a dip in an icy lake as part of the so-called 'Walrus' club. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut into the ice and then retire to a 'banya' (or sauna) which is h...

A worker breathes in clean air from a pipe while working in one of the smelters of Norilsk Nickel. The air in the smelters contains various noxious gases making it unsafe to breathe. The city of Nori...

On Russian Epiphany (19th January) people traditionally plunge into icy lakes or rivers to commemorate Jesus' baptism. Here, Norilsk residents perform the religious ritual which can sometimes draw ove...

A worker stands in the central area of one of the smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel. The complex consists of three plants - the nickel plant, the copper plant and 'Nadezhda' ('Hope') plant built i...

A young man tries to sleep in his bed underneath a flag of the Russian Empire which was in use from 1858 until 1883 and is now associated with Russian nationalists. During the polar summer many find i...

A ruined building stands in a snowy landscape in Norilsk. In 1936, the Soviet Union started to build a metallurgical complex around the settlement of Norilsk. Much of the work was carried out by Gulag...

A portrait of a woman wearing a mask against polluted air against the backdrop of a Norilsk cityscape. The air is particularly polluted during the summer. Every year, the metallurgical industry emits...

A view of older buildings lining a street in Norilsk on a snowy day. The city of Norilsk, in the far north of Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, was founded in the 1920s and today has a population of just...

A woman lies in bed watching television at night during the polar summer when the sun doesn't set for over 45 days. Many find it hard to sleep with the permanent presence of light. The city of Norils...

A man covers his face as he walks past smoke stacks belching out toxic fumes in Norilsk. The air is particularly polluted during the summer. Every year, the metallurgical industry emits around 2 milli...

Alexander is suffering from esophogeal cancer. He died the day after this picture was taken. He worked as a truck driver and lived in Norilsk all his life. According to Pure Life (formerly Blacksmith...

A man walks past a cement mixer with industrial smoke stacks visible in the background on day during the polar summer when the sun doesn't set properly for around 45 days. The city of Norilsk, in the...

A ruined building stands in a snowy landscape in Norilsk. In 1936, the Soviet Union started to build a metallurgical complex around the settlement of Norilsk. Much of the work was carried out by Gulag...

A man walks down a street in Norilsk in a snowdrift. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inhabitant. The city is...

People walk through a snow storm in the city of Norilsk. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inhabitant. The city...

A man closes the thin curtains of his bedroom at night during the polar summer when the sun doesn't set for over 45 days. The city of Norilsk, in the far north of Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, was fou...

Alexander is suffering from esophogeal cancer and is comforted by a relative at his bedside. He died the day after this picture was taken. He worked as a truck driver and lived in Norilsk all his life...

A priest blesses parishioners with holy water on Russian Epiphany (19th January) when people traditionally plunge into icy lakes or rivers to commemorate Jesus' baptism. Here, Norilsk residents perfor...

A portrait of a worker in one of the smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel. To attract workers the company gives 90 days holiday a year and allows workers to retire at the age of 45. The complex consi...

Children take part in a holiday camp inside a school building in Norilsk. Most children are sent to 'the mainland' (ie Russia proper) to their grandparents for their holidays or they go to holiday cam...

A man walks down a road in Norilsk in the middle of a snowdrift. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inhabitant....

A man pours warm water over himself as part of a popular past times amongst Norilsk residents who enjoy a dip in an icy lake as part of the so-called 'Walrus' club. A popular past time is to take a di...

A view of housing blocks in Norilsk at dusk with smokestacks of the smelters visible in the background. The city of Norilsk, in the far north of Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, was founded in the 1920s...

A woman in a bikini takes part in a popular activity amongst Norilsk residents who enjoy a dip in an icy lake as part of the so-called 'Walrus' club. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut...

Children go to sleep in a day school during the day in the polar summer. The sun doesn't set for around 45 days which can make people disorientated and cause sleep disorders. The city of Norilsk, in...

A woman walks down a street in Norilsk in a snowdrift. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inhabitant. The city i...

A man walks out of a pond of heated water in Norilsk. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut into the ice and then retire to a 'banya' (or sauna) which is heated with steam from the nearby...

A view of the centre of Norilsk on a cold and misty evening. The city was planned to be an 'ideal' city with a simple layout. The oldest buildings are typically Stalinist in style. The city of Noril...

A portrait of a worker who remotely operates machines in one of the smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel. To attract workers the company gives 90 days holiday a year and allows workers to retire at th...

A portrait of a worker who remotely operates machines in one of the smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel. To attract workers the company gives 90 days holiday a year and allows workers to retire at th...

A view of housing blocks in Norilsk at dusk. The city of Norilsk, in the far north of Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, was founded in the 1920s and today has a population of just over 175,000. In its ea...

Dead trees lie in a lifeless landscape near the city of Norilsk. According to Pure Earth (formerly known as the Blacksmith Institute), Norilsk is the seventh most polluted city in the world. It is als...

A woman walks across a street in Norilsk on a freezing night. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inhabitant. The...

A woman walks through the snow in her bikini in Norilsk. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut into the ice and then retire to a 'banya' (or sauna) which is heated with steam from the near...

Dead and dying trees seen against the background of the cityscape of Norilsk. According to Pure Earth (formerly known as the Blacksmith Institute), Norilsk is the seventh most polluted city in the wor...

A piece of Soviet era art is visible in an abandoned building in Norilsk. After the Gulag camps were closed many people left the city. In turn, the Soviet government tried to attract new residents to...

Local walk through a park with snow covered shrubs at night in Norilsk. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each inhabi...

Children in Norilsk play on a large pile of snow that has been piling up over the winter months. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on...

A resident walks past a dimly lit aparment block in Norilsk in a snowdrift. The city is covered in snow for around 8 to 9 months a year. Each year around 10 tonnes of snow fall on the city for each in...

A worker smokes a cigarette in one of the smelters belonging to Norilsk Nickel. To attract workers the company gives 90 days holiday a year and allows workers to retire at the age of 45. The complex...

Boys take part in exercises in a holiday camp which focuses on military style training and is organised with participation of Cossacks from Southern Russia. Most children are sent to 'the mainland' (...

A man takes a shower after enjoying a dip in an icy lake as part of the so-called 'Walrus' club. A popular past time is to take a dip in holes cut into the ice and then retire to a 'banya' (or sauna)...