James C. Pearce, Jeremy Morris, and Jonny Tickle talk about the return of extreme winter conditions across Russia, from record snowfalls in Kamchatka to deep freezes in Moscow and the Urals. They discuss how Russian cities cope with heavy snow, freeze thaw cycles, and infrastructure strain, including snow removal, chemical reagents, icicles, and transport disruption.

The conversation moves beyond stereotypes to look at how district heating actually works, why homes are often overheated, and why Russian consumers pay far less for heating than households in Western Europe. They examine ageing pipes, exposed infrastructure, power outages, and the political realities of maintaining essential services in a harsh climate.

Along the way, they compare continental and maritime cold, talk about clothing, preparation, and everyday survival, and reflect on why Russian winter plays such a powerful role in history, culture, and popular myths. The episode closes with recommendations for seeing real Russian winter beyond Moscow, including the Far North and Siberia.

This podcast is an independent project and does not represent the views of our employers or affiliated institutions.