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There’s a Tiny Island In the Pacific Ocean Loaded With Russian Tanks
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There’s a Tiny Island In the Pacific Ocean Loaded With Russian Tanks
Despite the recent resurgence of nazis, World War II ended 75 years ago in 1945. But while hostilities have officially ceased, that doesn’t mean all the issues have been resolved. In fact, Japan and Russia are still technically at war — at least on paper — since both countries have spent the better part of a century refusing to sign an official peace treaty. (Even Biggie and Tupac’s moms hugged it out; get over yourselves.) The primary point of conflict is control of the Kuril Islands, an archipelago that stretches between Japan’s Hokkaido island and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Basically, Russia seized the strategically-located islands toward the end of the war, hauled in massive amounts of military equipment, and … just never left. Neither did their equipment.
Most of the Kurils are sparsely-populated or totally uninhabited, making it extra odd to see a massive Soviet tank rusting in the middle of an otherwise pristine landscape. One island in particular, Shikotan, is covered with IS-2 and IS-3 Heavy Tanks, as well as T-54s and T-55s, which were literally dumped and left like they weren’t valuable enough to feed an entire Russian village or eight.
Great: as if seabirds weren’t enough of a pain in the ass already, now we’ve given them a tank battalion.
Today, Russia has an estimated 3,500 troops stationed on the islands, and since they’ve installed anti-ship and missile defense systems, they definitely don’t need the tanks anymore. Whether they’re full of fuel or leftover shells is anyone’s guess, really, so if you’re planning a post-pandemic visit to the islands, maybe watch where where you toss your Frisbee.
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A Bay in Scotland Has Become an Oil Rig Retirement Community
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A Bay in Scotland Has Become an Oil Rig Retirement Community
When someone says “Scotland,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably Braveheart, bagpipes, haggis, national treasure Ewan McGregor, but definitely not oil rigs. But, as it happens, if you’re an out-of-work or aging oil rig, Scotland is the retirement home of your dreams and the place where all the lucky, cool rigs go to cool their drills. With crude oil prices falling like they’re Arctic ice levels, more and more rigs are being decommissioned. But what to do with a massive-but-no-longer-needed piece of equipment designed to function in the middle of an ocean? Leave it there? Well, sometimes that’s actually best. But most often, they’re towed to a specific bay in northern Scotland to hang out with their friends. Behold Cromarty Firth:
