Alexei Navalny's life in 'Polar Wolf' remote Arctic penal colony - BBC News

Only those accused of the very worst crimes are sent to IK-3, the strictest penal colony imaginable.

18 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Alexey Navalny had been in jail since February 2021 and arrived at IK-3 in DecemberBy Oleg Boldyrev and Laura GozziBBC NewsAlexei Navalny's penal colony is the strictest penal colony you can get. Only those accused of the very worst crimes are sent to IK-3.

Nicknamed Polar Wolf, it is located in Yamalo-Nenets region, well above the Arctic Circle. Conditions, needless to say, are very harsh.

It is known for a culture of collective punishment and winter temperatures there can go as low as -20C.

Inmates have described being punished for the infringements of others by being made to stand outside in the winter without coats. Those who fail to stand still face being doused with cold water.

Snow covers the ground for months at a time - only to be replaced by muddy slush when temperatures rise above freezing, around May.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68322113

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