Temperatures of -50C will test the ingenuity of most people. During a recent cold snap, residents of Yakutia in Russia’s North-East were forced to become underwear designers, not for themselves, but for their cows…

In Russia’s so-called ‘Pole of Cold’ – the settlement of Oymyakon in Yakutia – cattle breeding is on the rise.

But so extreme are the temperatures, locals have started making fur-lined bras to stop their cows’ udders from freezing.

According to Natalya Semenova from the Khanglassky Region and the owner of seven cows, the extraordinary measures are absolutely necessary. She says the bovine brassieres lined with hare fur prevent udders getting frost bite. She says the investment is worth it as a cow with frozen teats won’t give milk.

In many settlements of Yakutia, winter temperatures drop to between minus 45-50 degrees centigrade.

Natalya Semenova says the fur bras are so effective they are widely used throughout the region.