Thousands to freeze as storms cut off power in Far East

Russia’s Far East is being battered by severe winter weather. A fierce cyclone is shortly expected to rip through Kamchatka, Sakhalin, the Kurill islands and the Primorsky region.

Heavy snowfall and hurricane force winds are already sweeping through the area.

Three minor avalanches have hit the city of Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, burying cars.

The cyclone is expected to last five days.

The main airport has been closed and authorities are warning about possible electricity blackouts.