Patrakeevka on the Mud Yug River — live webcam

The Pomor village of Patrakeevka on the Mud Yug River — how people lived and who they were

The website features a live webcam that allows you to observe the life of a Pomor village on the shores of the White Sea. This place has a unique history and culture that remains largely unknown to the general public. The Pomors — the indigenous people of the Russian North — for centuries led a way of life dependent on the sea, fishing, and hard labor on the land.

The village is often called the "birthplace of captains and sailors" due to the many distinguished dynasties of seafarers born on these shores. The inhabitants combined maritime trades with farming and animal husbandry, creating a unique way of life that is still honored to this day. Pomor traditions include oral stories about the historical past, symbolic and everyday fishing practices, signs and beliefs about local fishing grounds, which are passed down from generation to generation.

The Mud Yug River — a path from lakes to the White Sea

The Mud Yug River is an important waterway flowing through the Primorsky District of the Arkhangelsk Region. At its source, the river is formed by a group of ten lakes, and in its lower reaches it flows into the Sukhoye Sea — part of the White Sea basin. The river's length is 82 kilometers, making it a notable landmark for navigation and local life.

The river's history is connected to one of the most difficult episodes of foreign intervention in the Russian North and the Russian Civil War, when fierce battles took place on these lands. Today, the river is home to numerous fish species, and its banks serve as fishing grounds for local residents. One of the river's tributaries, the Kumzhevka, was named after the char fish typical of these latitudes.

Nature of the White Sea coast and Mud Yug Island

To the west, the village is sheltered by Mud Yug Island and the shallow Sukhoye Sea, to the north by dense swamps, and to the east and south by broadleaf forests. 50 kilometers from Arkhangelsk, near the mouth of the Northern Dvina, lies the Mud Yug State Nature Landscape Reserve of regional significance. The uniqueness of the territory lies in the distinctive combination of marine and forest ecosystems.

90% of the reserve's territory is occupied by pine forests creating a dense canopy, beneath which a unique ecosystem forms. The protected lands have become home to numerous species of flora and fauna, including rare plants and animals. The fauna of the reserve is represented by 102 species of terrestrial vertebrates: 83 bird species, 14 mammal species, three amphibian species, and two reptile species.

Wildlife and the protected area

Six animal species inhabiting the territory of the Mud Yug Reserve are listed in the Red Book of the Arkhangelsk Region. In the protected forests and the waters of the White Sea, one can encounter bears, foxes, beavers, as well as rare bird species. The Sukhoye Sea — part of the White Sea basin — is rich in fish, supporting the traditional fishing and livelihoods of local residents.

The Mud Yug Reserve is not only a habitat for animals but also a site for scientific research and nature observation. Residents of Arkhangelsk and tourists often visit these lands to see rare species of animals and plants, as well as to enjoy the untouched nature of the Russian North.

Attractions of the Pomor lands

In the vicinity of the village, ancient architecture has been preserved, reminiscent of the rich history of these places. In the village of Verkhovy, 4 kilometers from Patrakeevka, stands the Mud Yug Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. The temple was built in 1872–1884 with the help of merchant I. I. Antufiev through donations from seafarers and parishioners, and was considered the richest church in the region.

On Mud Yug Island, a conical brick lighthouse tower with a steel lantern structure has been preserved, erected in 1834 by military engineer Clement Petrovich V. The tower served as a landmark for ships sailing along the White Sea coast and has survived to this day, a testament to the engineering thought of the 19th century.

What you can see on the camera

With the help of the webcam, a panoramic view of the Pomor village from the bank of the Mud Yug River is observed. In the central and right parts, wooden farmhouses with adjacent plots are visible, as well as stacks of lumber and cars parked along dirt roads. In the foreground are village buildings: wooden and brick houses, sheds, fences, and outbuildings. On the left, a two-story brick building with a blue metal roof can be seen, with a small pile of coal or peat nearby. In the background flows the Mud Yug River, reflecting the sky in its waters. Beyond the river stretches a band of coniferous-deciduous forest reaching toward the horizon. The sky is overcast, with daylight illumination.