Traditional Epiphany ice swimming ceremonies in Russia's Kamchatka region have been cancelled because of a severe cyclone and difficult weather, the local diocese reported.
The events, scheduled for the night of January 18-19 at two locations in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, will not take place. The decision allows emergency services (MChS) to concentrate on snow removal and aiding the public.
In the previous year, these celebrations drew around 1,500 participants across the peninsula.