Risky River Ride: Men on Ice Floe in St. Petersburg, Russia

Footage circulating online Tuesday showed two individuals standing on an ice floe as it drifted down the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia, prompting concern from local authorities. The incident occurred as temperatures in the region fluctuate around freezing, creating unstable ice conditions on the river.

The Neva, which flows from Lake Ladoga through the western part of Leningrad Oblast to the Neva Bay of the Gulf of Finland, is a major waterway for the city. Despite being only 74 kilometers (46 miles) long, it is considered one of the largest rivers in Europe by average discharge, according to Wikipedia. The river is navigable throughout the year and forms part of the Volga–Baltic Waterway.

While the identities of the two men are currently unknown, the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Emergency Ministry confirmed they were alerted to the situation and dispatched rescue services to monitor the ice floe’s movement. Authorities have not reported any attempts to rescue the individuals, suggesting they either reached the shore independently or remained on the ice as it continued downstream.

The Neva River’s discharge averages 2,628 cubic meters per second, with peaks reaching 4,550 cubic meters per second, making it a powerful current even in winter. The river passes through the city of Saint Petersburg, as well as the towns of Shlisselburg, Kirovsk, and Otradnoye, posing potential risks to anyone venturing onto the ice.

As of late Tuesday, the Russian Emergency Ministry has not released a statement regarding potential fines or charges for the individuals involved, but officials warned against similar reckless behavior, citing the dangers of unpredictable ice conditions and strong currents. The incident occurred near the river’s mouth, in Neva Bay.