This man accidentally discovers Soviet base below Antarctica ice

After their plane broke down, they hit upon Lenin's bust which ultimately led them to abandoned research centre buried under ice

Web Desk

February 16, 2024

The statue has been sitting on top of a former Soviet Union research station buried deep below the surface. — Jam Press/Chris Brown

An abandoned Soviet-era research centre was recently discovered buried beneath the icy cloak of Antarctica, bringing to light a piece of Cold War history that lay dormant for decades.

This incredible story of discovery happened to intrepid explorer Chris Brown and his son Mika. Their adventure began with an unexpected twist when their plane broke down in the unforgiving -28°C conditions of the frozen continent.

In a mesmerising video shared on TikTok, Chris recounted the chilling moment when the unmistakable bust of Vladimir Lenin emerged from the snow, revealing the covert Soviet station beneath. The slideshow of images showcased the remnants of a meteorological research station, a relic from 1958, swallowed by the frigid embrace of Antarctica.

The Bust of Lenin as seen from Chris and Mikas plane in Antarctica. — Jam Press/Chris Brown — The Bust of Lenin as seen from Chris and Mika's plane in Antarctica. — Jam Press/Chris Brown

The discovery left viewers in awe, with one exclaiming, "There's an entire building under the bust????" The unexpected find adds a layer of intrigue to the vast, desolate landscape of the Pole of Inaccessibility.

Chris, a seasoned explorer with a mission to conquer the world's land-based Poles of Inaccessibility, offered insights into the Lenin bust's curious journey. Originally facing Moscow, the statue underwent a Cold War twist orchestrated by American explorers who playfully redirected it toward Washington. In response, the Russians promptly restored Lenin's gaze towards Moscow, a historical tug-of-war frozen in time.

The Soviet research station with a Bust of Lenin sitting on top before the bottom three quarters were entirely buried beneath the ice and snow. — Jam Press/Olav Orheim

The narrative took an enigmatic turn as Chris delved into the peculiar attributes of the Lenin bust. Cables attached to the wooden plinth supporting the statue sparked curiosity, prompting Chris to ponder their purpose and the secrets concealed within.

@chrisbrownexplores I was literally trapped in Antarctica for 28 days in January 2022. Flights couldn't get in or out of the continent during a series of treacherous storms. Fresh food had run out, basic food was running low and at one point all of the heating elements had failed. Take a look at my previous video to see how cold it was! Unusually, for Antarctica, since it is a desert, there was also heavy snowfall, meaning we spent many an hour just manually digging tents out of the drifts. This series of storms, with winds gusting up to 120mph and lasting for as long as five days each, would ultimately serve to scupper our first attempt at reaching the Antarctic Pole of Inaccessibility. The people behind the whole Antarctic logistical operation had not seen storms like these in 17 years of operating there! #fyp #tiktokviral #explorer #expedition #storytime #southpole #antarctica #adventure #poleofinaccessibility #poi #snowstorm #dangeroussnowday #antarctic #antarcticadventure #antarcticexpedition ♬ original sound - Chris Brown

"I wondered what those cables were, and what would have happened if we tried to open up that wooden box," mused Chris, unveiling another layer of mystery in the Antarctic discovery.