Published: 1 January, 2009, 02:43
Edited: 1 January, 2009, 02:43
Celebrations are in full swing in Russia as New Year 2009 has now arrived in all of the country's 11 time zones.
The country's most western region of Kalinigrad was the last to say goodbye to the outgoing year at 1:00 Moscow time (22:00 31.12.2008.GMT).
Festive crowds filled the streets of Russian cities as people celebrated New Year 2009 passing through the country's 11 time zones.
Thousands gathered in the capital for festive events on Red Square.