That is sad to read. In Nelson Mandela's autobiography "A Long Walk to Freedom," he wrote his biggest shock upon being released from his prison after 25+ yrs was seeing the beautiful farming village of his childhood full of plastic trash. He said it was almost like a disease had taken over while he was gone.

On a different note, I would love to hike thru the gorgeous, vast forests to see the incredible, diverse ecosystems in Russia--especially in the far east. But as an American I just know it'll never happen in my lifetime because I'll be barred from going, interrogated by "law enforcement" and put on a watchlist. Human "civilization" disappoints me. Mother nature does not.