A resident of a village in the Uchalinsky district of Bashkortostan, Faiza Fattakhova sparked discussion after an unusual New Year prank in which she created a snow sculpture that resembled a traffic police officer. She explained that her aim was to inject a bit of humor into the holiday season and to see how people would react to an unexpected winter display. The gesture was meant to be lighthearted, and neighbors ultimately treated it as a joke rather than a serious incident.
According to Fattakhova, she and her husband spent two days moving and shaping the snow to form the figure. The work drew mixed reactions from those who saw it: some people were visibly frightened, unsure of what they were facing on the snowy road, while others laughed off the scene as a harmless prank. A few villagers initially hesitated to leave their homes, concerned about the appearance of the police figure and wondering if the traffic authorities would arrive to enforce rules or issue warnings. A nearby resident even commented that the figure seemed to take on a real presence, given the attention it drew from passersby. Yet overall the community did not express anger; many seemed to view it as a playful act tied to the festive period.
Fattakhova noted that she did not expect gratitude from authorities and feared possible repercussions for the disguise. She recalled a moment when she feared a fine or other punishment for wearing the dummy as part of the snow sculpture. Despite these worries, she reported that the incident eventually sparked a positive reception from authorities, who reached out to acknowledge the playful contribution to public morale during the season. The interaction underscored the difference between a spontaneous joke and the potential for misinterpretation among onlookers and officials alike.
In her reflections, the woman explained that her snow-art project began out of boredom the previous year. She recounted that last winter she crafted a tiger-shaped figure simply as a pastime. This year, the idea evolved into a more elaborate form resembling a traffic police officer, sparked by curiosity and a desire to experiment with the abundant snow in the rural landscape. She emphasized that the sculpture was not created for a contest; rather, it emerged as a New Year joke that gained unexpected attention when a contest opportunity was announced. The lighthearted approach was at the heart of the project, and she considered the piece a festive bit of humor rather than a serious display of police symbolism.
On January 9, the Telegram channel of the Bashkortostan Republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs published an image showing the ice composition. The photograph depicted a figure dressed in a vest beside a snow patrol car, with a staff in hand and flashing lights in the background. The ministry’s post described how the ice sculpture captured the attention of drivers, including those who might have otherwise risked driving under the influence. The department expressed thanks to Fattakhova for contributing to the broader effort of public safety awareness and the cooperation with traffic inspectors in addressing drink-driving concerns. This acknowledgment highlighted how a simple, playful act can intersect with serious civic messages during the New Year season.