In a move signaling a new phase of activity in Russia’s Far East, two amphibious L-65 ‘Chaika’ aircraft have completed a landmark water landing on the pristine Kuril Lake in the South Kamchatka Federal Sanctuary. The event is being hailed by organizers as a breakthrough for ecological tourism in one of Russia’s most remote and highly protected natural territories.
The landing marks the highlight of a formidable 10,000-kilometer expedition undertaken by five private Russian pilots. The journey began in the European city of Samara and traversed the vast expanse of Siberia and the Far East, with stops in major cities and remote locations like Oymyakon and Magadan before reaching the Kamchatka Peninsula. The use of versatile amphibious aircraft, capable of landing on both water and unpaved ground, was key to the mission’s success across such challenging terrain.
According to the expedition’s members and the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which oversees the territory, the operation was conducted with strict adherence to environmental protocols. The aircraft reportedly landed and took off in deep sections of the lake to avoid disturbing the world’s largest sockeye salmon spawning grounds. Organizers also claimed that the low-noise engines minimized disturbance to the region’s dense population of brown bears and that the aircraft’s design prevented any risk of polluting the protected waters.
Beyond its environmental implications, the expedition carries significant geopolitical undertones. The team has publicly announced its ambitious next steps: to continue its journey with an unprecedented flight across the Kuril Islands, including a planned landing on Onekotan Island. This island chain, stretching between Kamchatka and Japan’s Hokkaido, has been at the center of a territorial dispute between Moscow and Tokyo since the end of World War II, preventing the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty.
This civilian-led initiative, while promoted as a private adventure, is seen by observers as a subtle assertion of Russian sovereignty and a demonstration of increased accessibility to the contested region. The flight represents a new chapter in the exploration and development of these strategically vital territories, blending the promotion of adventure tourism with the reinforcement of Moscow’s long-term strategic interests in the Pacific.