Polyarny, Port city in Murmansk Oblast, Russia
Polyarny is a port city in Murmansk Oblast, Russia, located on the western shore of Kola Bay. The townscape is marked by industrial facilities, Soviet-era apartment blocks and access to ice-free waters that remain navigable even during winter months.
The settlement was founded in 1896 under the name Alexandrovsk in honor of Tsar Alexander III. In 1939 it received its current name and developed into an important site for the Russian navy.
The naval base shapes everyday life in this settlement at the edge of the Arctic. Many streets carry names recalling seafaring and the military, while public squares are often visited by locals whose families have been connected to the sea for generations.
Access is via a main road that runs along the bay and leads to the central areas. Anyone traveling here should be prepared for Arctic weather conditions, as temperatures and daylight vary greatly depending on the season.
In 2008 the town was awarded the title City of Military Glory. This recognition honors its contribution to Russian naval presence in the Barents Sea and is visibly marked in a central location.
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