Rogachevo, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Arctic settlement in Novaya Zemlya, Russia
Rogachevo is a settlement on Yuzhny Island in Novaya Zemlya, situated about 83 meters above sea level. Buildings here are specially designed to withstand extreme Arctic conditions, and a military air base forms its core.
The settlement expanded in the 1990s when Russia built additional military facilities there. In 2014 it was designated as a strategic command position.
Most residents are military families stationed here for work at the air base. Community life centers around the demands of living in one of the world's northernmost inhabited places.
Access requires special permits and is typically by air only, as the region is under military control. Visitors should prepare for extreme cold, limited supplies, and complete isolation.
The area experiences six months of polar night with no daylight and six months of midnight sun. These extreme light cycles significantly shape daily life and residents' well-being.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
