Father Frost snowman towers over Moscow square

Oversized snow sculptures ahead of the New Year is somewhat of a tradition in the Russian city of Rybinsk. This year, a 6-metre tall snowy depiction of Russia's equivalent of Santa Claus, Father Frost, is towering over the city's central square. It took artists 130 cubic metres of snow, 30 litres of paint and a week to create the giant "DedMoroz".

Works by artist Yevgeny Tarasov, who was behind the creation of the Father Frost masterpiece, have already graced city squares several times. Russians traditionally greet Father Frost on New Year's Day, when he is said to bring presents to children.He is often accompanied by the Snow Maiden, a character of Russian fairytales.