Watch Russia with Simon Reeve

Russia with Simon Reeve is a travel documentary series aired on BBC Two that follows the journey of British journalist and presenter Simon Reeve throughout Russia. The series consists of three episodes and was first released in 2017. Simon's journey starts in the far east of Russia near the border with North Korea, where he meets the nomadic reindeer herders of the Evenk people. In this part of Russia, Simon encounters an area affected by deforestation, global warming, and overfishing. He also delivers supplies to a lighthouse on an uninhabited island and visits an iron mine run by oligarchs.

In the second episode, Simon travels to the Siberian region where he meets the Old Believers, a traditional community of Orthodox Christians who refused to follow the reforms of the Russian Orthodox Church. Simon also visits the world's biggest diamond mine, owned by the state corporation Alrosa, which produces 25% of the world's diamonds. In this part of Russia, Simon discovers the environmental impact of gold mining and meets locals who struggle with poverty and alcoholism.

In the final episode of the series, Simon travels to the city of St. Petersburg, Russia's cultural capital. He visits the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace, as well as the Yusupov Palace where Rasputin was killed. Simon also meets Vissarion, the leader of a religious community called the Church of the Last Testament. Vissarion claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and has thousands of followers in Russia and around the world. Simon attends one of Vissarion's sermons and interviews him about his belief.

Throughout the series, Simon delves into Russia's history, politics, and religion, and meets people from all walks of life. He explores the beauty of Russia's landscapes and architecture but also uncovers its environmental and social issues. Simon showcases the complexity and diversity of Russia, challenging the stereotypes and misconceptions often associated with this vast country.

Russia with Simon Reeve is a captivating and insightful documentary series that offers a unique perspective on Russia, its people, and its culture. Simon's engaging delivery combined with stunning visuals and thought-provoking narratives make this series a must-watch for anyone interested in travel, politics, and sociology.

Russia with Simon Reeve is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between September 28, 2017 and on BBC Two