Vyomorozka Is Dubbed As One Of The World's Toughest Jobs: Here's All About It

In Russia's Far East, amidst a snow-covered shipyard, a scene unfolds that epitomises the resilience and determination of workers facing some of the world's harshest conditions. Drones buzz overhead as laborers brave subzero temperatures, engaging in the backbreaking and tedious task known as 'vymorozka,' or 'freezing out.'

This grueling process unfolds over weeks, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling minus 50 degrees Celsius (-58 F). Against this icy backdrop, workers diligently chip away at the ice enveloping the hulking vessels docked in the harbour of Yakutsk, situated on the banks of the Lena River.

Reuters

What does a vyomorozka do?

Yakutia, Russia's largest republic by landmass, is no stranger to extreme weather, and locals regard 'vymorozka' as one of the most demanding jobs in the world. However, for the workers engaged in this arduous task, it's all about perspective.

"You dress the right way and that's it. When you come (to a heated building) and get undressed, it's like a sauna, steam rises from you," worker Mikhail Klus, 48, told Reuters as he took a break from cutting through the ice with a chainsaw.

"I don't think it's the hardest job - there are jobs even harder than that, but it's probably one of the hardest jobs...One needs to try to understand, needs to love the cold and working in it."

Precision is paramount in this line of work, demanding not only stamina and strength but also meticulous attention to detail. Workers must navigate the delicate balance of cutting through the ice without inadvertently piercing through to the water below, risking the loss of their painstakingly carved dugouts.

Challenges of a vyomorozka

Ironically, the colder the weather, the smoother the job becomes as the ice freezes more effectively. Yet, despite the potential for smoother operations, the frigid temperatures take a toll on some workers, underscoring the unforgiving nature of the environment they brave.

"Sometimes, when you freeze, you feel negative emotions from it," 22-year-old Artyom Kovalec said from under a thick layer of coats, a pickaxe in his mittened hands.

"You feel it's too cold to work, you want to go home, to eat and relax, so you have to get a grip on yourself."

In the shipyards of Yakutsk, amidst the icy expanse of Siberia's winter landscape, the resilience and fortitude of these workers shine through as they persevere in the face of adversity, embodying the indomitable spirit of human perseverance in the most extreme of circumstances.

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