Speculation that reclusive dictator's debut foreign trip will see him visit Khabarovsk in September.
Scheme would allow epic journeys from London to the Japanese capital with major international crossing between Sakhalin and Hokkaido.
The Russian president has turned to his close ally Sergei Shoigu, former Emergencies Minister, after the Defence Minister was engulfed in a corruption scandal.
Russian president's flight to Salekhard delayed after airport closed by freezing rain.
The ancient mummy of a mysterious young woman, known as the Ukok Princess, is finally returning home to the Altai Republic this month.
Four children among those in intensive care, as locals undergo mass evacuation and quarantining, while reindeer herd decimated.
Supplies to EU maintained despite mega-blast with flames 200 metres in the sky, and heat felt 1km from fireball.
In each case the deadly decades-old 'zombie' disease originated in contaminated soil and was awakened by hot Arctic summer weather.