大象传媒

Built on the permafrost by victims of Stalinism, it was coal that made Vorkuta the powerhouse of the Soviet Union. Now, cut off from the rest of Russia by geography and climate, does it have a future?

"We don't pay for medicine, or food for our schools and hospitals, then there is a firm that carries out municipal work in the town, snow clearing, street light maintenance, keeping stray animals out. We make them work for us, but we can't pay them." deputy mayor Valeri Belyaev.

Written and presented by Bridget Kendall.

Picture: Map of Russia, Credit: Getty Images