Siberian Ghost Towns

The other day, I stumbled upon what I had believed to be fake, but after investigation, I found that Siberian ghost towns do exist. Siberian ghost towns are little cities, villages, or suburbs that were former Soviet military bases that have been “abandoned.” However, these supposed ghost towns have recently been discovered by the Western world as inhabited by a select thick-skinned few.

*above: the local market

Siberia, alone, makes up about 3/4^th of Russia’s land, but only 1/4^th of their population. During Soviet times, remote areas of Siberia were used as industrial hubs, where prisoners would be sent in order to work off their debts. So evidently, towns and cities sprung up around these major factories and prisons so government officials and prison workers would have a habitable place to call home. (For a full history of Siberia, visit: http://www.russiablog.org/2008/04/russias_ghost_town_in_siberia.php)

One would think that after the fall of Communism, the inhabitants would have fled the horrifying conditions, but, in fact, there are a relatively large number of Russians who still live in the lifeless, cold, and deserted towns. Al Jazeera recently explored an area called, Yeniseysk 15, and had the chance to interview a few inhabitants about their thoughts on the region. They found that six blocks of the forgotten town were inhabited by hundreds of handicaps and Russians on welfare. Rent is free, so it is no surprise why these people flock here. In the town, there are two social workers, but no medical professionals at all. However, they find the living quarters to be quite comfortable because of their heat and indoor plumbing. One older woman says she moved to Yeniseysk 15 in order to avoid bothering her family as she dies of old age.

See for full report: http://www.russiablog.org/2008/04/russias_ghost_town_in_siberia.php