Insane Google Street view pictures give insight into Russian life

Fancy a peek behind the iron curtain? Google street view images have revealed a jaw-dropping insight into a country often shrouded in mystery.

Since 2012, Google Street View has been documenting all the bizarre and beautiful scenery Russia has to offer, and the results are captivating.

As an author at Inverse noted, “images run the gamut of this vast country and at times even read like a visual essay on Russia’s economic disparity”.

So strap in, while Escape takes you on a visual journey through everyday life in Russia. It‘s a wild ride.

It‘s important to start them young. Picture: Google/Street View

Utterly charming that zero attempt is made to conceal that massive, massive weapon. Picture: Google/Street View

This is artistically composed like a beautiful Renaissance painting. Picture: Google/Street View

Is this a choreographed dance, or some kind of Soviet street fighting technique? Doesn‘t really matter. Looks funny. Picture: Google/Street View

Just a girl riding a horse in the main street. No big deal. Picture: Google/Street View

Here is a picture of one of the unluckiest people on the planet. How bad is your timing to go for a cheeky undie readjustment and have it captured by Google cameras? Picture: Google/Street View

A row of young men not to be trifled with. Picture: Google/Street View

Apparently Google street view in Russia is riddled with crashed cars that people have just walked away from and abandoned. It really gives the neighbourhood a charming ambience. Picture: Google/Street View

This is actually very, very sweet. Picture: Google/Street View

Good to see that young fellas all over the world will commandeer an abandoned couch for drinking purposes. Picture: Google/Street View

Apparently one of the biggest problems in Russia is if you get pulled up by the cops, there‘s a chance you’ll end up paying a cheeky bribe. Picture: Google/Street View

And another woman with seriously unlucky timing. Picture: Google/Street View

This article originally appeared on Escape and has been republished here with permission.