Sea access to a remote Russian region is about to be cut off until Spring. The waters around the far north-eastern territory of Chukotka have frozen, isolating it from the rest of the country.
Ships arriving in the region are already facing a 20-centimetre sheet of ice, which has to be smashed by huge cranes. Around 300 tonnes of vital winter supplies have already been delivered to locals. These include food and construction materials. Vessels trying to dock in Chukotka are facing delays of several hours. Forecasters say only aircraft will be able to reach the region in a few weeks.