Timur Handy, the Yakutia minister responsible for entrepreneurship, trade and tourism, drew a knowing smile online with remarks about selling snow from the region. A regional outlet described the chatter surrounding a peculiar advertisement offering to buy the purest snow in liquid form from the forests of Yakutia for 200 rubles per kilogram. The post suggested a playful approach to local commerce and branding, rather than a real policy proposal, and it spread through social feeds and casual conversations alike.
“My comment about selling ruby snow was a joke, but there is a grain of truth in every joke”, Handy later clarified. He noted that the region’s cold climate, heavy snow, and distinctive weather could become a defining feature of Yakutia and help attract international attention. He pointed to events like the coldest race as examples that can elevate Yakutia’s profile on the global stage. He wrapped up his remarks with another light touch, calling the snow sale event perfect advertising without spending the budget.
Unusual advertisements often draw media attention. A resident of Odintsovo posted an online listing offering a cat for 200 million rubles, arguing that the pet is special because it can go to the toilet for both itself and its owner. The listing described a loving, playful nature and a quiet meow that does not disturb neighbors. The seller noted that any potential buyer would need to pass an interview and a qualification test before the sale could proceed.
Earlier in Yakutia there were two documented incidents where a Chinese tourist froze while traveling toward the Pole of Cold, underscoring the region’s extreme climate as both a lure and a challenge for travelers who chase remarkable experiences.
Taken together, these stories illustrate how online conversation and regional identity intersect in contemporary life. Humor from public officials and sensational advertisements reflect a broader fascination with remote places, where climate and landscape become a draw for tourism and media coverage. They also reveal how markets, even in distant areas, tap into curiosity and viral potential, whether through the notion of selling snow or listing an extraordinary pet. The episodes remind readers that in a connected world, a few quirky ideas can spark conversations that cross borders and spark imagining about how a place like Yakutia fits into broader cultural and economic narratives. (citations withheld)