No official explanations for darkness over swathes of Yakutia amid conspiracy theories of a UFO, new weapons tests, a meteorite, or pollution from wildfires.

The Russian government has ordered the evacuation of North Pole-40 Arctic Station.

Toxic fuel from 21,000 ton leak reaches pristine lake, bypassing floating booms, as rivers of diesel pollution cover-up is exposed.

Almost 3 million hectares on fire, including Arctic, with fumes having hit area larger than European Union.

New 'plug-in' cars coping well with harsh climate and landscape and were even recharged overnight in remote taiga at -33C.

Vice Premier sees scope to make Arctic 'ours forever' with plans to harness resources and help protect fragile environment.

Russian ecologist says his undercover trip shows Arctic ecosystem is irreversibly damaged, as whistleblower in ecological watchdog quits and leaves town.

Oilmen forced to stop work after being trapped in 'horseshoe' of burning taiga, as pall of smoke smothers Irkutsk region where state of emergency imposed.

Huge damage wrought by forest fires is sparked by failure to apply safety laws, complained Yuri Chaika.

'Scary' scenes as fumes from burning forests cover Lake Baikal, with people - and bears - fleeing 'Apocalypse'.