Butoma Avenue in Severodvinsk — Online Webcam

Severodvinsk — a closed city on the White Sea

Severodvinsk sits on the shores of the White Sea in Arkhangelsk Oblast — one of the most restricted-access cities in Russia. Nuclear submarines are built here, and shipbuilding defines the lives of local residents. The city's population as of 2024 is 155,647 people, and most of them are connected to the shipyards in one way or another. The city was officially founded in 1936 and received its current name in 1957, when Molotovsk was renamed Severodvinsk. Since 2015, the city has held monocity status with a focus on nuclear submarine construction.

The territory of modern Severodvinsk became part of Veliky Novgorod's holdings as early as the 12th century. Today it is the country's largest center of military and civilian shipbuilding, home to four shipyards. Sevmash produces fourth-generation nuclear submarines, and the city hosts the Submarine Museum — the only one in Russia dedicated to the history of the submarine fleet.

History of Butoma Avenue

Butoma Avenue is one of Severodvinsk's main thoroughfares, named in honor of B. E. Butoma. A memorial plaque on building No. 14 commemorates the person after whom the street is named. The avenue runs through residential neighborhoods and connects key points of the city, while remaining a relatively quiet and green area.

The architecture of the avenue is typical of the Soviet-era development of Severodvinsk. Brick five-story and nine-story buildings from the 1970s–1980s predominate here. Building No. 2, for example, was constructed in 1983 with reinforced concrete ceilings and central gas supply — six elevators serve the residents of this building.

Attractions and Street Art

Butoma Avenue offers more than just residential buildings. On the facade of building No. 10, a monumental street art mural has been created — the composition depicts the silhouettes of two famous pine trees on Yagry Island against the setting sun. This is one of the district's signature landmarks, attracting both locals and visitors to the city.

Yagry Island is another iconic spot in Severodvinsk, known for its pine groves and beaches on the White Sea coast. The sculptural composition on the building facade on Butoma Avenue seems to connect the city with the seaside, reminding viewers of the region's natural wealth.

Not far from Butoma Avenue stands the Palace of Culture named after the Lenin Komsomol, built in the first half of the 1960s on Victory Square. This building is a monument of Soviet modernist architecture and the main cultural center of Severodvinsk.

Severodvinsk Climate: Harsh Summer and Icy Sea

The climate in Severodvinsk ranges from subarctic with short, cold summers to moderately continental. Winters are long and cold: average air temperatures reach –15 °C, though thaws up to –6 °C occur, as well as frosts down to –9 degrees and below. Summers are cool and moderately humid — in July, temperatures average 8–12°C.

The White Sea, on whose shores Severodvinsk stands, remains cold even during the warmest months. Even in summer, the water temperature is barely above 10 degrees, which is why the Slavs called it the Cold Sea, the Northern Sea, and even the Calm Sea. The sea exerts a huge influence on the local climate, softening winter frosts and bringing coolness in summer.

Severodvinsk as a Monocity

Severodvinsk is a classic example of a monocity, where the city-forming enterprise determines the life of the entire population. Since April 16, 2015, the city has officially held monocity status, specializing in the construction and repair of nuclear submarines. About 60% of the working-age population is employed in the shipbuilding industry.

The city-forming enterprise is Sevmash — the country's largest shipyard, where fourth-generation nuclear submarines are built. In addition to it, three more shipyards operate in the city, producing submarines and ships of various classes. This concentration of production makes Severodvinsk a unique city not only for Russia but for the entire world.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam on Butoma Avenue broadcasts a live view of Severodvinsk's residential neighborhoods in real time. Apartment buildings, the roadway, a parking lot, and pedestrian areas all fall within the camera's field of view. The camera is installed at the intersection of Butoma Avenue and Mira Street — a quiet, green area where life flows at a measured, peaceful pace.

The live stream allows you to observe vehicle and pedestrian traffic, assess current weather conditions in Severodvinsk right now, and soak in the atmosphere of a closed city on the White Sea. The live broadcast is provided by the "Moy Dom" (CityLink) system and is available around the clock without interruption.