The fiancé of Russian blogger Alexei Stolyarov, Ksenia, who is the youngest daughter of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, released a video documenting a segment of his journey to Kolyma, where blogger Alexander Gambarov, known as Gabar, continued his challenge. The clip was published on YouTube.
The challenge required the group to drive by car from Yakutsk to Magadan. They described the route as two thousand kilometers along Russia’s most demanding and picturesque highway, a path where intense human stories intersect with sweeping natural beauty. The blogger spoke of the trip as a blend of hardship, danger, and awe, highlighting the stark contrasts that define the region.
Midway through the journey, the team stopped in Magadan to visit the abandoned settlement of Kadykchan. Stolyarov recalled how tens of thousands of residents left in a relatively short period, abandoning apartments and cars in place. The scene, with empty homes and silent streets, prompted reflections on how quickly a thriving town can become a shadow of its former self.
Throughout the expedition, the group reported a startling absence of emergency and law enforcement presence. They noted that not a single police officer or fire truck was seen, with only an ambulance observed along the entire route. This impression contributed to a sense of legal and safety uncertainty in parts of the journey, a phenomenon sometimes described by travelers in remote regions. The blogger estimated spending about 33,700 rubles on fuel for a Toyota SUV, with the entire road trip spanning five days and including several overnight stays in hostels.
Previously, social media coverage drew comparisons to another traveler, a British blogger who also chronicles journeys in Russia. The British traveler, who spoke Russian with ease and favored rail journeys, ultimately faced a decision to halt visits to Russia, expressing a lasting impression of the country and its travel experiences. This juxtaposition highlights how explorers with varied backgrounds perceive remote Russia and its transport networks, as described in regional coverage and travel diaries .