As a seasonal present to our readers, here are some inspiring pictures of the people and places. Picture: Mikhail Mestnikov

The West has marked Christmas already, but for Orthodox believers here in Siberia, it is coming soon - on 6 and 7 January. As a seasonal present to our readers, here are some inspiring pictures of the people and places in our colourful Russian land east of the Ural Mountains.

Surfing in Vladivostok and swimming in Novosibirsk. Pictures: Vera Salnitskaya, Maria Borodina

It's the time of year when the serious cold arrives, and locals are celebrating it by surfing in Vladivostok and swimming in Novosibirsk... and throwing hot water into the air to make ice 'fireworks' in Yakutsk, capital of diamond-rich Sakha Republic.

Throwing hot water into the air to make ice 'fireworks' in Yakutsk. Pictures: Mikhail Mestnikov

In the same city, the coldest in the world, is the scene from the outdoor fish market. And the Winter Night picture from Russian Far East showing a monk standing at the doorway of his monastery, and a church in the background.

Fish market in Yakutsk. Silent winter night in the monastery on Russian Far East. Pictures: Vera Salnitskaya, Alexei Buzaev

There is a glorious sunset over Chukotka, the country's easternmost region, nudging Alaska. The volcano image is from the Kamchatka Peninsula, also known as the Land of Fire and Ice.

A glorious sunset over Chukotka, the country's easternmost region. The Ilyinsky volcano image from the Kamchatka Peninsula. Pictures: Evgeny Basov, Sergey Travin

From the Putorana Plateau in Krasnoyarsk region are amazing pictures of frozen waterfalls, like an ice sculpture. Wherever you are in the world, we wish you a Merry Russian Christmas and health and happiness for the year ahead.