russian woman tourist beach

• Film and TV

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories , we're happy to send you some reminders

Click ' OK ' then ' Allow ' to enable notifications

Tourist falls 170ft to her death after climbing over barrier at cliff-top viewing platform

According to eyewitnesses, she'd been trying to take a selfie when she stumbled and fell.

A woman has tragically died after falling 170ft off a clifftop viewing platform in Georgia.

Earlier this month, Inessa Polenko, from Sochi, Russia, was taking in the idyllic scenery at the Gagry viewing point in Abkhazia, Georgia , which overlooks the Black Sea.

The 39-year-old beautician was a keen Instagrammer and regularly shared selfies from her trips around the world, with her 9,000 followers on the platform.

Polenko reportedly climbed over a safety barrier to bag the perfect shot. In hindsight, it was a fatal decision.

According to eyewitnesses, the beautician then stumbled and fell 170ft onto the beach below.

Tragic footage posted to social media shows her body lying on the beach.

Paramedics rushed to the scene, but Polenko sadly succumbed to her injuries and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Her funeral was held on April 9 in Sochi and an investigation has been opened into the circumstances of her death.

This comes as new research suggests that taking selfies should be considered a 'public health problem'.

Academics in Australia found that more than 400 selfie-related injuries and deaths had been reported since 2008.

Victims were most likely to be young women, while falling and drowning while taking a photo were the leading causes of death.

Researchers have urged social media apps to warn users about potential dangers.

Dr Samuel Cornell, a risk expert at the University of New South Wales, wrote in the paper: "The selfie-related incident phenomenon should be viewed as a public health problem that requires a public health response.

"To date, little attention has been paid to averting selfie-related incidents through behavior change methodologies or direct messaging to users through apps.

"Although previous research has recommended 'no selfie zones,' barriers and signage as ways to prevent selfie incidents, our results suggest this may not be enough.

"It may be prudent to also engage in direct safety messaging to social media users."

In December of last year, a Singaporean tourist was taking pictures at New York's Hudson Valley when she fell 70 feet to her death.

Nur Aisyah Binte MD Akbar, 39, was at the edge of a cliff in Minnewaska State Park when she 'lost her footing'.

Her husband called 911 and Nur was taken to Ellenville Regional Hospital in Ulster County, where she was later pronounced dead.

Topics:  News , World News

Choose your content:

World's oldest conjoined twins supported each other's intimate relationships but would 'block out' kissing

Lori and george schappell passed away on april 7.

Disneyland set to crack down on rules as people 'fake disabilities' to skip queues

Disney's disability access service program is intended for guests with a 'developmental disability like autism or similar'.

Customers slam McDonald’s for ‘insane’ prices after sharing cost of McNugget meal deal

Mcdonald's customers are not happy with the fast food giant's prices.

Woman reunites with family after being kidnapped 52 years ago in emotional footage

Aura guerrero was snatched in bogotá in 1972, and was only reunited with her family decades later.

• Man paragliding over Great Pyramid of Giza captures aerial footage of what’s written on top
• Man who pretended to leap canyon barrier loses footing and almost falls over the edge
• 'Imbecile' tourist set to pay 'hefty fine' as he damages famous Italy fountain by climbing it for selfie
• Man mauled to death by a lion after climbing into its enclosure to take selfie with it

• Group Enquiry? NEW
• 20 Beaches In Russia

Beaches in Russia

Quick navigation, khalaktyrsky beach.

Riviera Beach

Olympic Beach

Best of Moscow

Laskovy Beach

Repino Beach

Promenade Beach

Best of Canada

Imeretinskaya Embankment

Durso Beach

Best of Egypt

Vityazevo Beach

Golden Beach

Beach Kamenka

Best of Georgia

Yarinsky Beach

Podrezovo beach.

Best of Uzbekistan

Tarkhovka beach, vysoky bereg beach, astafyev’s bay.

Best of Kazakhstan

Kremlevskie Beach

Kremlevskaya beach.

Russia Travel Guides

Russia Reviews

Popular Nearby Places Around Russia

More things to do in russia, more on russia tourism, popular related destinations.

Best Domestic Packages

Best international packages, domestic honeymoon packages, international honeymoon packages, places to visit in india, international places to visit, things to do in india, international things to do, popular on thrillophilia.

• We assure the privacy of your contact data.
• This data will only be used by our team to contact you and no other purposes.

Your enquiry has been received successfully. Our destination expert will reach out to you soon!

You will be redirected to your dashboard shortly. We will also call you back in 24 hrs .

• 9 Fabulous Beaches In Russia That Let You Relish The Taste Of The Good Life!

27 Mar 2023

Renowned worldwide for its high-rising mountains, massive deserts, natural geyser fields, rich heritage sites, and stunning art and architecture, Russia is indeed a stunner when it comes to tourism. And adding to its charm are the awesome beaches that portray this getaway in a different light.

From sub-tropical to soft white sands, take a look at these pristine beaches in Russia that can make your vacation in this paradise more than just perfect!

9 Awesome Beaches In Russia

Take a look at these awesome beaches that you can visit on your Russian getaway with your friends and family. Make sure you include at least half of them in your itinerary.

• Khalaktyrsky Beach, Kamchatka Krai
• Beach Yagrinskiy, Severodvinsk
• Riviera Beach, Sochi
• Olympic Beach, Sochi
• Beach Laskovy, Solnechnoe
• Repino Beach, Repino
• Tarkhovka Beach, The Gulf of Finland
• Podrezovo Beach, Moscow
• Beach Promenade, Yantarnyy

1. Khalaktyrsky Beach, Kamchatka Krai

A black sand beach near Petropavlovsk, the Khalaktyrsky Beach is one of the best beaches in Russia where you should be heading for a laidback and relaxing experience. The beauty of an ocean lies in its unpredictability and that is exactly what one gets to witness on Khalaktyrsky Beach. From the breathtaking views of the ocean to the crashing of waves against the shores, relish the best of Khalaktyrsky Beach on your next visit.

Location: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia Famous for: Black volcanic sand Things to do: Surfing, dining

Suggested Read: Visiting Russia In April? Here Are All The Places You Can Visit To Enjoy The Chilly Weather

Europe Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle

Explore the most beautiful places to visit in Europe, from Paris to the Venice canals and from the Greek islands to the Swiss Alps. Book customized packages by expert agents on TravelTriangle. Inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing and meals. Best holiday experience Guaranteed. Book Now

Magnificent Switzerland Holiday 6D/5N Package @ Rs 69,999

Plan your trip today!

Magnificent Europe Tour 7D/6N Package @ Rs 70,975

Get quotes from multiple travel experts.

France & Switzerland Tour Package 8D/7N @ Rs 90,000

Compare & customize quotes before booking.

Scintillating Spain & Portugal Tour 11D/10N @ Rs 101,150

Have Questions? Talk to our travel experts today.

6 Country Europe Tour Package 12D/11N @ Rs 118,650

Best prices guaranteed. EMI option available.

See more at TRAVELTRIANGLE.COM

2. Beach Yagrinskiy, Severodvinsk

Image Source

Located on the Jagry Island in Severodvinsk, Beach Yagrinskiy is a surfer’s paradise and an artist’s retreat. Go for swimming under the water, sit back and enjoy whale watching, collect seashells as the sun sets on the horizon, and so much more. This beach may not be the most popular one yet in all its isolation, it is one of the sub-tropical beaches in Russia.

Location: Severodvinsk, Russia Famous for: Nature, parks Things to do: Swimming

Suggested Read: If You Are Wondering Why Moscow In April Is A Good Time To Visit, Here’s Why It Is

3. Riviera Beach, Sochi

Set on a stretch of the easternmost side of the Black Sea are found some of the famous beaches in Sochi, Russia and one such beach is the Riviera Beach. This black-stone beach is an ideal place to relax and unwind. This beach offers amusement for children and adults, trampolines, banana boat rides, and hydro cycle rides along with parachute flights over the water.

Suggested Read: Thinking Of Spending Spring In Moscow In March? Here’s Why It’s A Good Idea

Location: Yegorova, 1/9, Sochi 354000, Russia Famous for: Seafood, views Things to do: Dining, adventure park

4. Olympic Beach, Sochi

One of the famous beaches in Russia is that of Olympic Beach in Sochi. It is one of the most modern five-kilometer pebble beach amidst the lowlands of Imereti. Stretching from the Olympic Park to the Psou River at the border with Abkhazia, numerous restaurants, cycling tracks, fast food cafes, and amusement rides grace the coast of Olympic Beach.

Suggested Read: Russia Plans To Open A Luxury Hotel In Space By Since Earth Is Too Mainstream!

Location: Nizhneimeretinskaya St., 155B, Adler, Sochi 354349, Russia Famous for: Cleanliness, views

5. Beach Laskovy, Solnechnoe

Image Courtesy: Alexey Sergeev

Located near the town of Repino lies the Beach Laskovy which is backed by lush and dense pine forests. Making it a great beach away from the chaos of the city in Solnechnoe, the water is generally calm and perfect for a dip on those rare hot summer days at this beach. Enjoy some kvass (fermented rye water) from seaside vendors while you sip on your favorite cold drinks at one of the best beaches in Russia which you cannot miss.

Location: Petrovskaya St., 1, St. Petersburg 197110, Russia Famous for: Cool sand, kebab BBQ, playground, cafe Things to do: Kitesurfing, swimming

6. Repino Beach, Repino

A wonderful place to relax and rejuvenate, this quiet beach is one of the famous beaches in Russia. This beach is also a great spot for swimming and sunbathing. Well equipped with showers, cabanas, beach volleyball court, and a couple of interesting food stalls, this beach is a great place for those seeking tranquility and relaxing experience by the calm waters. It’s among the most beautiful beaches in Russia .

Location: St. Petersburg, Russia Famous for: Calm waters, pine forests, restaurant Things to do: Trekking, dining

7. Tarkhovka Beach, The Gulf of Finland

If you’re looking for a place to get away from the touristy bustle, this quiet spot is one of the nicest and best beaches in Russia. The sandy Tarkhovka beach provides a great view of the fortress at Kronstadt across the Finnish Gulf. And if time allows, one can also rent a boat for a tranquil ride on the lake. It’s among the best subtropical beaches in Russia .

Location: St. Petersburg, Russia Famous for: Mushroom vegetation, views Things to do: Swimming

8. Podrezovo Beach, Moscow

One of the famous beaches in Russia Moscow is that of Podrezovo Beach. Its soft white sands and clear water act as a visual treat for locals who come here on weekends and during holidays. While there are many restaurants that serve delicious seafood, one can also find luxury as well as budget accommodations near the beach for your stay! It’s surely among the best Russian beaches that you must not miss!

Location: Moscow, Russia Famous for: White sands, clear waters, restaurants Things to do: Swimming

9. Beach Promenade, Yantarnyy

Located in Yantarnyy, Beach Promenade is one of the popular white sand beaches in Russia which feels straight out of a dream. From the nature parks to outdoor activities, Promenade offers everything that the tourists look forward to which makes it the best pick to make your holiday memorable. Also, one can also enjoy the ropeway ride which is at the end of the Promenade.

Location: Becker’s Park, Yantarnyy, Russia Famous for: Views, clear waters Things to do: Fishing, ropeway ride

Further Read: 10 Places To Visit In Russia To Witness The Beauty Of This Incredible Nation

Fancy a trip to these offbeat places? Include these fabulous beaches in Russia on your bucket list and gear up to strike them off your next vacation to Russia ! Book your escapade with TravelTriangle for the best deals on customized tours and a comfortable holiday experience.

People Also Read:

Beaches In Sweden Beautiful Beaches In Greece Beaches In Iceland

Looking To Book An International Holiday?

Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.

Trip to Sri Lanka at Rs 13,500/-

Plan Your Vacation Today!

Trip to Singapore at Rs 20,499/-

Get Quotes From Local Experts

Mauritius Holiday Starting at Rs 65,000/-

Talk to Our Experts Today

Maldives Honeymoon Trip at Rs 39,800/-

Pay with easy EMI Option

Europe Trip at Rs 89,999/-

All Inclusive Deals

Vacation in Dubai at Rs 27,499/-

Hong Kong Holiday at Rs 24,999/-

Money Safe Guarantee

Thailand Holiday at Rs 7,999/-

Flights Excluded

Recent Posts

10 Endroits à visiter au Royaume-Uni qui rendront votre voyage plus classique que vous ne l’aviez imaginé

Top 10 Bucket List For Families In The World That You Must Include

9 Best Camping Sites In Florida That You Must Explore

9 Hidden Facts About Grand Canyon To Explore Its Mysteries

11 Interesting Facts About The Great Pyramids Of Giza

9 Interesting Facts About Qutub Minar: Everyone Should Know Of!

Trending Blogs

20 Mysterious Places In India To Visit In 2023 More Bizarre Than The Bermuda Triangle

10 Scariest Roads In India That Are A Driver’s Nightmare

101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30 in 2024

35 Exotic Places To Visit In December In India 2024 To Enjoy A Surreal Vacation

60 Best Honeymoon Destinations In India In 2024

95 Best Honeymoon Destinations In The World In 2023 For A Romantic Escape!

Best Places To Visit In India By Month

Best places to visit outside india by month.

• TravelTriangle
• International
• Destinations » Russia »
• Tour Packages
• Honeymoon Packages
• Family Packages
• Budget Tour Packages
• Luxury Tour Packages
• Adventure Tour Packages
• Group Tour Packages
• Maldives Tour Packages
• Bali Tour Packages
• Dubai Tour Packages
• Singapore Tour Packages
• Thailand Tour Packages
• Europe Tour Packages
• Sri Lanka Tour Packages
• Tour Packages From Delhi
• Tour Packages From Mumbai
• Tour Packages From Bangalore
• Tour Packages From Chennai
• Tour Packages From Kolkata
• Tour Packages From Hyderabad
• Tour Packages From Ahmedabad
• Thailand Tourism
• Bali Tourism
• Singapore Tourism
• Maldives Tourism
• Mauritius Tourism
• Dubai Tourism
• Europe Tourism
• Hotels in Thailand
• Hotels in Maldives
• Hotels in Mauritius
• Hotels in Bali
• Hotels in Dubai
• Hotels in Singapore
• Hotels in Sri Lanka

Get the Best Travel Deals by Experts

Our CRM team analysis your requirements and assign to destination expert. Assignment happen as soon as possible on best effort basis.

CRM team sends first response to you which includes advisors contact details and response time etc.

Sales advisor gives quotation to you with in 4 hrs for FIT (1-10 people) 24 hrs for group (more then 10 people)

Note: We work from mon - fri 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM

15 Magnificent Beaches in Russia That You Must See

Sunny rays, dusky tan, shimmering water, broad coastal landscapes, sparkling sand, and water activities- call for a perfect beach vacation in Russia. Beaches in Russia boast massive coastlines, plenty of sunlight, and natural beauty. The world discerns Russia as a country rich in unique culture, incredible art & architecture, huge deserts, and natural geyser fields. However, the beaches add more charm to Russia’s beauty.

• Beaches in Russia
• Best Beaches in Russia
• Moscow Beaches

Recent Blogs

15 Best Things to Do in Almaty & Kazakhstan

Apr 10, 2024 - by Dook

Best Caucasus Countries to Visit

Apr 09, 2024 - by Dook

15 Fantastic Things to Do in Uzbekistan & Tashkent

Apr 01, 2024 - by Dook

25 Most-loved Europe Tourist Attractions to Explore

Mar 30, 2024 - by Dook

15 Must-See Museums in Yerevan & Armenia

Mar 29, 2024 - by Dook

15 Must-Explore Cities in Central Asia to Visit

Mar 27, 2024 - by Dook

Top 10 Restaurants in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Mar 20, 2024 - by Dook

15 Best Restaurants in Sofia & Bulgaria You Must Try

Mar 11, 2024 - by Dook

20 Most Popular Asian Food and Cuisine to Try

Mar 08, 2024 - by Dook

10 Most Popular Cafes in Baku that You Should Visit

Mar 05, 2024 - by Dook

11 Best Balkan Countries to Visit

Feb 26, 2024 - by Dook

20 Fascinating Things to Do in Kusadasi Turkey

Feb 22, 2024 - by Dook

An Elaborate Guide on Corporate Tours in CIS Countries

Feb 19, 2024 - by Dook

15 Cheapest Countries in Asia to Visit on Your Next Holiday

Feb 18, 2024 - by Dook

15 Must-Try Armenian Food & Dishes

Jan 31, 2024 - by Dook

20 Best Beaches in Turkey to Visit on Your Next Holiday

Jan 29, 2024 - by Dook

Tashkent Metro: Everything You Need to Know!

Jan 23, 2024 - by Dook

20 Affordable Places to Travel in the World from India

Jan 18, 2024 - by Dook

25 Glorious Temples in India to Visit At Least Once

Jan 17, 2024 - by Dook

Honeymoon in Armenia: An Idyllic Holiday Guide

Jan 16, 2024 - by Dook

20 Best Places to Visit in Ayodhya

Jan 15, 2024 - by Dook

15 Best Places to Visit in Lakshadweep on a Tropical Holiday

Jan 11, 2024 - by Dook

MICE Tourism: Introduction, Importance, and MICE Destinations

Jan 10, 2024 - by Dook

Honeymoon in Georgia: A Perfect Getaway to Create Unforgettable Memories

Jan 09, 2024 - by Dook

Everything You Should Know About Honeymoon in Azerbaijan

Jan 04, 2024 - by Dook

Winter in Serbia: What to do, see, and eat!

Jan 01, 2024 - by Dook

Kyrgyzstan in Winter: Unfold the Silk Road Adventure in Snow

Dec 07, 2023 - by Dook

Skiing in Kazakhstan: An Adrenaline-rushing Experience for Ski Enthusiasts

Dec 04, 2023 - by Dook

Georgia in Winter: An Eternal Journey into Heaven

Nov 30, 2023 - by Dook

Dook Reviews

Dook international.

Customer Rating

From 8863 travelers

• Enquire Now
• Get a Call Back

Send us a query

Ready to venture out into the world? Fill the form below and start your brand new journey with us

Data collected by Dook International is used for internal purposes to process and respond to your request.

• AI Generator

32,746 Russia Beach Stock Photos & High-Res Pictures

Browse 32,746 russia beach photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images..

• Social Events
• Advertise With Us

• Featured News

UPDATE: Missing Russian woman in Phuket last seen after going into the sea

A missing Russian woman was last seen after going into the sea in Thang and left her clothes and shoes on a beach.

Our previous story:

A 53-year-old female Russian tourist has gone missing from a hotel in the Thalang district.

Now for the update:

At 10:00 A.M. on Thursday (October 20 th ) Ms. Elena left the room to the Nai Thon Beach nearby with her friends. She went into the sea alone.

At 11:00 A.M. her friends went back to the room until noon but Ms. Elena was not back. They called her but she did not answer. They checked her hotel room and found that she left her phone in the room.

At 4:00 P.M. they went out to search for her. They only found her towel and shoes left on the beach. They decided to contact help.

A search was launched by the Sakoo Police, the Phuket Tourist Police, and others since yesterday on both land and in the sea. So far, however, there is still no sign of her. Elena reportedly suffers from memory loss issues.

The names of the friends were withheld by Phuket law enforcement and there was no immediate answer as to why they didn’t stay while Elena went swimming.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=–=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and get all our news delivered to you in one spam-free daily e-mail Click here! OR, enter your e-mail below!

First name or full name Email

Help support The Phuket Express in 2022!

• Privacy Policy
• Press Releases
• Legal issues, Correction requests and Press Release Contacts
• Mission Statement
• Corrections Policy
• Ethics Policy
• Fact Checking Policy
• Advertise with us
• Our Partner Lawyer

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

How people spent holidays on the beach in the Soviet Union (PHOTOS)

1. People in the Soviet Union didn’t go to the Maldives or Bali on holiday, but they did know how to have fun. Just like today, people throughout the USSR tried to get to the beach on hot summer days.

2. A beach holiday could be arranged independently and inexpensively—what Soviets referred to as “wild” — or an organized stay at a sanatorium or hotel using a voucher from an enterprise or a trade union. Holidaymakers staying at such places received three meals a day and medical treatment. What a dream!

3. The most desirable option was to get hold of a voucher to the Baltic coast. Resorts in places like Jūrmala (Latvia), Pärnu (Estonia) and Palanga (Lithuania) were considered the most prestigious. It was almost like going abroad.

4. A holiday on the Black Sea was also highly sought after. Resorts in Crimea, Sochi and Abkhazia were considered the best in the USSR.

5. The main rule of thumb on Soviet beaches was to arrive early in the morning since otherwise it would be difficult to find a spot. In Yalta, Alushta and Yevpatoriya — the most popular resort towns in Crimea — the beaches were almost always packed.

6. Besides reveling in the sea and the sun, people on holiday at resorts could expect to find various other activities as well. Playing chess on the beach was very popular in the USSR.

7. Young people often preferred to do something physically active, such as beach volleyball or a variation of it called “pioneerball.”

8. You can get really ravenous after being outside all day, so open-air cafes were always popular. But many people organized picnics with homemade snacks instead.

9. Even if you couldn’t get away, it was possible to have a good time closer to home too. For example, Muscovites still love relaxing on the Istra Reservoir.

10. Did you know people in Moscow were already water skiing back in the 1960s?

11. In Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), locals often prefer to relax by the walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress on the Neva. This is the city's oldest beach and is also a favorite spot of "walruses" — people who brave freezing temperatures to swim during the winter.

12. Soviet schoolchildren spent the summer either with relatives in the countryside or in young pioneer camps. Artek in Crimea was considered the most prestigious Young Pioneer camp. It opened in 1925 and still operates today. 

13. Schoolchildren had neither the internet nor mobile phones, but parents were not worried about leaving them for several weeks in the company of pioneer guides (usually students from teacher training colleges) who kept them occupied all day.

14. Have you ever heard of Day of Neptune ? It is kind of like an initiation ceremony for sailors but a version for children. Young pioneers prepared a water show for each other, but almost everyone would take part in the end. Some would play the role of mermaids or sea monsters, while others would make costumes or write the script for the show. On the whole, it was an excellent opportunity for team building, and children would often make lifelong friends during the experience.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• How did Soviet children entertain themselves in the pre-Internet era?
• How pioneer camps bred the New Soviet Man
• Soviet dreams on the Black Sea: Why you have to visit Anapa
• 10 reasons why Russian villages beat the city in the summer (PHOTOS)
• Grilled meat and high heels: How to enjoy the Russian beach

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.

Birth tourism brings Russian baby boom to Miami

MIAMI — Lured by the charm of little Havana or the glamour of South Beach, some 15 million tourists visit Miami every year.

But for a growing number of Russian women, the draw isn't sunny beaches or pulsing nightclubs. It's U.S. citizenship for their newborn children.

In Moscow, it's a status symbol to have a Miami-born baby, and social media is full of Russian women boasting of their little americantsy .

"It's really common," said Ekaterina Kuznetsova, 29. "When I was taking the plane to come here, it was not only me. It was four or five women flying here."

Ekaterina was one of dozens of Russian birth tourists NBC News spoke to over the past four months about a round-trip journey that costs tens of thousands of dollars and takes them away from home for weeks or months.

Why do they come?

"American passport is a big plus for the baby. Why not?" Olesia Reshetova, 31, told NBC News.

"And the doctors, the level of education," Kuznetsova added.

The weather doesn't hurt, either.

"It's a very comfortable place for staying in wintertime," Oleysa Suhareva said.

It's not just the Russians who are coming. Chinese moms-to-be have been flocking to Southern California to give birth for years.

What they are doing is completely legal, as long as they don't lie on any immigration or insurance paperwork. In fact, it's protected by the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which says anyone born on American soil is automatically a citizen.

The child gets a lifelong right to live and work and collect benefits in the U.S. And when they turn 21 they can sponsor their parents' application for an American green card.

As president, Donald Trump has indicated he is opposed to so-called chain migration, which gives U.S. citizens the right to sponsor relatives, because of recent terror attacks. And as a candidate, he called for an end to birthright citizenship, declaring it in one of his first policy papers the "biggest magnet for illegal immigration."

"You have to get rid of it," he said on "Meet the Press" on NBC. "They're having a baby and all of a sudden — nobody knows — the baby is here. You have no choice."

In a twist, as the Daily Beast first reported , condo buildings that bear the Trump name are the most popular for the out-of-town obstetric patients, although the units are subleased from the individual owners and it's not clear if building management is aware.

There is no indication that Trump or the Trump Organization is profiting directly from birth tourism; the company and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Roman Bokeria, the state director of the Florida Association of Realtors told NBC News that Trump- branded buildings in the Sunny Isles Beach area north of Miami are particularly popular with the Russian birth tourists and Russian immigrants.

"Sunny Isles beach has a nickname — Little Russia — because people who are moving from Russian-speaking countries to America, they want … a familiar environment."

"They go across the street, they have Russian market, Russian doctor, Russian lawyer," he added. "It's very comfortable for them."

Reshetova came to Miami to have her first child, hiring an agency to help arrange her trip. The services — which can include finding apartments and doctors and obtaining visas — don't come cheap. She expects to pay close to $50,000, and some packages run as high as $100,000. Bokeria says some landlords ask for six months rent up front.

One firm, Miami Mama, says it brings about 100 Russian and Russian-speaking clients to the U.S. per year, 30 percent of them repeat clients. The owners are Irina and Konstantin Lubnevskiy, who bought Miami Mama after using the firm to have two American children themselves.

The couple says they counsel clients to be completely transparent with U.S. immigration officials that they're expecting.

"We tell every client, 'You have the documents, you have to tell the truth. This is America. They like the truth here,'" Konstantin said.

"I would like the American people to understand they don't have to worry," he added. "Those who come here want to become part of the American people."

But Miami Mami has drawn scrutiny from law enforcement. In June, it was raided by the FBI, and an employee was convicted of making false statements on passport applications. The owners say they knew nothing about it, fired the worker and their business license was renewed.

Federal prosecutors declined to comment on the case, and the FBI said it could not discuss "an active investigation."

There is no official data on birth tourism in the United States. The Center for Immigration Studies, which wants stricter limits on immigration, estimates there are 36,000 babies born in the U.S. to foreign nationals a year, though the numbers could be substantially lower. Florida says births in the state by all foreign nationals who live outside the United States have jumped 200 percent since 2000.

Customs and Border Protection says there are no laws governing whether pregnant foreign nationals can enter the country or give birth here.

"However, if a pregnant woman or anyone else uses fraud or deception to obtain a visa or gain admission to the United States, that would constitute a criminal act," the agency said.

When federal agents raided California "maternity hotels" catering to Chinese clients in 2015, authorities said in court papers that some of the families falsely claimed they were indigent and got reduced hospital rates.

In Miami, the Jackson Health System said 72 percent of international maternity patients — who represented 8 percent of all patients giving birth last year — pay with insurance or through a pre-arranged package.

Reshetova said she understands the concerns some have about birth tourism, because it's also an issue in Russia.

"But I pay by myself," she said. "I pay with my money, bring it here to America. I'm not going to take something to America.

"I don't know what my daughter will choose in future. But if I can spend money — my money — for her choice, why not?"

Cynthia McFadden and Sarah Fitzpatrick reported from Miami, and Tracy Connor from New York. Anna Schecter contributed reporting from New York, and Natasha Lebedeva from Washington.

Cynthia McFadden is the senior legal and investigative correspondent for NBC News.

Sarah Fitzpatrick is a senior investigative producer and story editor for NBC News. She previously worked for CBS News and "60 Minutes." 

Tracy Connor is a senior writer for NBC News. She started this role in December, 2012. Connor is responsible for reporting and writing breaking news, features and enterprise stories for NBCNews.com. Connor joined NBC News from the New York Daily News, where she was a senior writer covering a broad range of news and supervising the health and immigration beats. Prior to that she was an assistant city editor who oversaw breaking news and the courts and entertainment beats.

Earlier, Connor was a staff writer at the New York Post, United Press International and Brooklyn Paper Publications.

Connor has won numerous awards from journalism organizations including the Deadline Club and the New York Press Club.

She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Anna Schecter is a senior producer in the NBC News Investigations Unit.

South Florida sees a boom in Russian ‘birth tourists’

MIAMI – Every year, hundreds of pregnant Russian women travel to the United States to give birth so that their child can acquire all the privileges of American citizenship.

They pay anywhere from $20,000 to sometimes more than $50,000 to brokers who arrange their travel documents, accommodations and hospital stays, often in Florida.

While the cost is high, their children will be rewarded with opportunities and travel advantages not available to their Russian countrymen. The parents themselves may benefit someday as well.

And the decidedly un-Russian climate in South Florida and the posh treatment they receive in the maternity wards – unlike dismal clinics back home – can ease the financial sting and make the practice seem more like an extended vacation.

The Russians are part of a wave of “birth tourists” that includes sizable numbers of women from China and Nigeria.

President Donald Trump has spoken out against the provision in the U.S. Constitution that allows “birthright citizenship” and has vowed to end it, although legal experts are divided on whether he can actually do that.

Although there have been scattered cases of authorities arresting operators of birth tourism agencies for visa fraud or tax evasion, coming to the U.S. to give birth is fundamentally legal. Russians interviewed by The Associated Press said they were honest about their intentions when applying for visas and even showed signed contracts with doctors and hospitals.

There are no figures on how many foreign women travel to the U.S. specifically to give birth. The Center for Immigration Studies, a group that advocates for stricter immigration laws, estimated that in 2012, about 36,000 foreign-born women gave birth in the U.S., then left the country.

The Russian contingent is clearly large. Anton Yachmenev of the Miami Care company that arranges such trips, told the AP that about 150 Russian families a year use his service, and that there are about 30 such companies just in the area.

South Florida is popular among Russians not only for its tropical weather but also because of the large Russian-speaking population. Sunny Isles Beach, a city just north of Miami, is even nicknamed “Little Moscow.”

“With $30,000, we would not be able to buy an apartment for our child or do anything, really. But we could give her freedom. That’s actually really cool,” said Olga Zemlyanaya, who gave birth to a daughter in December and was staying in South Florida until her child got a U.S. passport.

An American passport confers many advantages. Once the child turns 21, he or she can apply for “green card” immigration status for the parents.

A U.S. passport also gives the holder more travel opportunities than a Russian one; Americans can make short-term trips to more than 180 countries without a visa, while Russians can go visa-free only to about 80.

Traveling to the U.S. on a Russian passport often requires a laborious interview process for a visa. Just getting an appointment for the interview can take months.

Some Russians fear that travel opportunities could diminish as tensions grow between Moscow and the West, or that Russia might even revert to stricter Soviet-era rules for leaving the country.

“Seeing the conflict growing makes people want to take precautions because the country might well close its borders. And if that happens, one would at least have a passport of a different country and be able to leave,” said Ilya Zhegulev, a journalist for the Latvia-based Russian website Meduza that is sharply critical of the Kremlin.

Last year, Zhegulev sold two cars to finance a trip to California for him and his wife so she could give birth to their son.

Trump denounced birthright citizenship before the U.S. midterm election, amid ramped up rhetoric on his hard-line immigration policies. The president generally focuses his ire on the U.S.-Mexico border. But last fall he mentioned he was considering executive action to revoke citizenship for babies born to non-U.S. citizens on American soil. No executive action has been taken.

The American Civil Liberties Union, other legal groups and even former House Speaker Paul Ryan, typically a supporter of Trump’s proposals, said the practice couldn’t be ended with an order.

But others, like the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for less immigration, said the practice is harmful.

“We should definitely do everything we can to end it, because it makes a mockery of citizenship,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, an outspoken Russian lawmaker, said the country can’t forbid women from giving birth abroad, and many of them also travel to Germany and Israel.

“Trump is doing everything right, because this law is used as a ploy. People who have nothing to do with the U.S. use it to become citizens,” Zhirinovsky said.

Floridians have shown no problem with the influx of expectant mothers from Russia.

Yachmenev, the agency manager, says he believes it’s good for the state because it brings in sizable revenue.

Svetlana Mokerova and her husband went all out, renting an apartment with a sweeping view. She relished the tropical vibe, filling her Instagram account with selfies backed by palm trees and ocean vistas.

“We did not have a very clear understanding about all the benefits” of a U.S. passport, she said.

“We just knew that it was something awesome,” added Mokerova, who gave birth to a daughter after she was interviewed.

Zemlyanaya said that even her two nights in the hospital were a treat, like “a stay in a good hotel.”

In contrast to the few amenities of a Russian clinic, she said she was impressed when an American nurse gave her choices from a menu for her meals.

“And then when she said they had chocolate cake for dessert, I realized I was in paradise,” Zemlyanaya added.

She even enjoyed how nurses referred to patients as “mommies,” as opposed to “rozhenitsa,” or “birth-giver” – the “unpleasant words they use in Russian birth clinics.”

Zemlyanaya said she was able to work remotely during her stay via the internet, as were the husbands of other women, keeping their income flowing. Yachmenev said his agency doesn’t allow any of the costs to be paid by insurance.

Most of the families his agency serves have monthly incomes of about 300,000 rubles ($4,500) – middling by U.S. standards but nearly 10 times the average Russian salary.

Yachmenev said he expects that birth tourism among Russians will only grow.

Business declined in 2015 when the ruble lost about half its value, but “now we are coming back to the good numbers of 2013-14,” he said.

Associated Press writers Curt Anderson in Miami and Varya Kudryavtseva in Moscow contributed to this report.

• Images home
• Editorial home
• Editorial video
• Premium collections
• Entertainment
• Premium images
• AI generated images
• Curated collections
• Animals/Wildlife
• Backgrounds/Textures
• Beauty/Fashion
• Buildings/Landmarks
• Business/Finance
• Celebrities
• Food and Drink
• Healthcare/Medical
• Illustrations/Clip-Art
• Miscellaneous
• Parks/Outdoor
• Signs/Symbols
• Sports/Recreation
• Transportation
• All categories
• Shutterstock Select
• Shutterstock Elements
• Health Care

Browse Content

• Sound effects

PremiumBeat

• PixelSquid 3D objects
• Templates Home
• Instagram all
• Highlight covers
• Facebook all
• Carousel ads
• Cover photos
• Event covers
• Youtube all
• Channel Art
• Etsy big banner
• Etsy mini banner
• Etsy shop icon
• Pinterest all
• Pinterest pins
• Twitter All
• Twitter Banner
• Infographics
• Zoom backgrounds
• Announcements
• Certificates
• Gift Certificates
• Real Estate Flyer
• Travel Brochures
• Anniversary
• Baby Shower
• Mother's Day
• Thanksgiving
• All Invitations
• Party invitations
• Wedding invitations
• Book Covers
• About Creative Flow
• Start a design

AI image generator

• Photo editor
• Background remover
• Collage maker
• Resize image
• Color palettes

Color palette generator

• Image converter
• Creative AI
• Design tips
• Custom plans
• Request quote
• Shutterstock Studios
• Data licensing

0 Credits Available

You currently have 0 credits

See all plans

Image plans

With access to 400M+ photos, vectors, illustrations, and more. Includes AI generated images!

Video plans

A library of 28 million high quality video clips. Choose between packs and subscription.

Music plans

Download tracks one at a time, or get a subscription with unlimited downloads.

Editorial plans

Instant access to over 50 million images and videos for news, sports, and entertainment.

Includes templates, design tools, AI-powered recommendations, and much more.

Search by image

Russian Women Beach vectors

250 russian women beach vectors, graphics and graphic art are available royalty-free..

Our company

Press/Media

Investor relations

Shutterstock Blog

Popular searches

Stock Photos and Videos

Stock photos

Stock videos

Stock vectors

Editorial images

Featured photo collections

Sell your content

Affiliate/Reseller

International reseller

Live assignments

Rights and clearance

Website Terms of Use

Terms of Service

Privacy policy

Modern Slavery Statement

Cookie Preferences

Shutterstock.AI

AI style types

Shutterstock mobile app

Android app

© 2003-2024 Shutterstock, Inc.

Subscribe Now! Get features like

• Latest News
• Entertainment
• Real Estate
• PBKS vs RR Live Score
• Election Schedule 2024
• Win iPhone 15
• IPL 2024 Schedule
• IPL Points Table
• IPL Purple Cap
• IPL Orange Cap
• AP Board Results 2024
• The Interview
• Web Stories
• Virat Kohli
• Mumbai News
• Bengaluru News
• Daily Digest

Two Russian tourists shot dead in Thailand beach resort

Tatiana tsimfer and liubov svirkova were found dead at jomtien beach in pattaya..

Two female Russian tourists were shot dead on Saturday while they were relaxing on the beach in the popular Thai seaside town of Pattaya, police said.

Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were found dead in their deckchairs on Jomtien beach, Pattaya, some 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, they said.

A nearby hotel guard told police he heard several gunshots and saw a Thai man speeding away on a motorcycle after the shots.

"At the moment, we don't know why they were shot," Major Sretha Maklon of Pattaya police told AFP on the telephone. The women arrived in Thailand on February 16 as part of a group tour.

Pattaya is one of Thailand's popular beach resorts and is also known for its thriving nightlife.

Despite its reputation as a holiday paradise, Thailand has seen a series of gruesome murders of tourists in recent years.

In Kanchanaburi, 100 kilometres west of Bangkok, a 26-year-old female Australian tourist was killed in a drive-by shooting last year. A young British couple were gunned down there in 2004 and a French tourist was shot dead in 2003.

On New Year's Day in 2006, a 21-year-old British female tourist was raped and murdered on the southeastern resort island of Samui.

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like.

• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Weather Today
• HT Newsletters
• Subscription
• Print Ad Rates
• Code of Ethics

• Elections 2024
• India vs England
• T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule
• IPL 2024 Auctions
• T20 World Cup 2024
• Cricket Players
• ICC Rankings
• Cricket Schedule
• Other Cities
• Income Tax Calculator
• Budget 2024
• Petrol Prices
• Diesel Prices
• Silver Rate
• Relationships
• Art and Culture
• Telugu Cinema
• Tamil Cinema
• Exam Results
• Competitive Exams
• Board Exams
• BBA Colleges
• Engineering Colleges
• Medical Colleges
• BCA Colleges
• Medical Exams
• Engineering Exams
• Horoscope 2024
• Festive Calendar 2024
• Compatibility Calculator
• The Economist Articles
• Explainer Video
• On The Record
• Vikram Chandra Daily Wrap
• PBKS vs DC Live Score
• KKR vs SRH Live Score
• EPL 2023-24
• ISL 2023-24
• Asian Games 2023
• Public Health
• Economic Policy
• International Affairs
• Climate Change
• Gender Equality
• future tech
• Daily Sudoku
• Daily Crossword
• Daily Word Jumble
• HT Friday Finance
• Explore Hindustan Times
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Subscription - Terms of Use

latest in World News

5 dead, multiple injured including small child in maniac's...

Gordon Ramsay's $16.1M London pub taken over by squatters:...

Mexico struggling to find medical fentanyl, despite cartels...

Paris Summer Olympics could be derailed by 'alarmingly high'...

Matriarch of Coppola filmmaking family dead at 87

Famed Italian designer dead at 83: 'A beacon of inspiration for...

Elon Musk, Argentina's prez pledge to promote free market after...

Canary Islands residents call for hunger strike to protest...

Breaking news, texas woman dies in belize after being hit with conch shell during brawl with bar employees over hubby’s golf cart crash.

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

A Texas woman living in Belize has died after being hit in the head by a conch shell during a fight that broke out when her husband crashed their golf cart into a bar in the Caribbean country, officials said.

Jennifer Lynn Griffith, 46, was riding with husband Maynor Rene Ancona, 41, who was driving Saturday morning in San Pedro, a town in Ambergis Caye that Madonna made famous with “Las Isla Bonita,” Channel 5 Belize reported .

He crashed the cart into the El Norte Bar, leading to a fight between the couple and the booze joint’s employees, police Commissioner Chester Williams told the news outlet.

At one point during the brawl, someone threw a conch shell at Griffith, striking her in the head, according to the top cop, who said she suffered a concussion.

“She went to the polyclinic with the police and she refused medical treatment and self-discharged herself from the clinic and went home,” Williams said.  

“The next morning, she seemingly was having pain and she went back to the clinic where she succumbed [to her death],” he said. “At this time, we are not able to say what the cause of death is — if she died as a result of the conch shell or as a result of the accident.”

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death, Williams said, adding that it was not immediately clear if alcohol was involved in the incident.

When asked whether a bar employee had thrown the conch shell, he said he was unsure, but added that it was “one of the persons involved in the brawl.”

Williams also said that after Griffith left the San Pedro Polyclinic, “she had indicated to the police that she didn’t want anything against those individuals.”

Police have reportedly detained several people, who will “at the very least” be charged with disorderly conduct, according to the news outlet.

Griffith was originally from Texas and had been living on Ambergis Caye for several years, local news outlet lovefm.com reported .

Share this article:

Advertisement

8 found in unlicensed plastic surgery recovery home in Florida, woman charged: Reports

A Florida woman has been accused of running an unlicensed post-op recovery home for those who have received cosmetic surgery, multiple outlets reported.

Daaiyah Alneesha Roundtree, 43, was arrested Tuesday after the Miami-Dade Police Department searched her home in South Miami, according to Local 10.

There were seven post-operative patients and one person awaiting a procedure at the house, according to a report obtained by NBC 6 . The patients told police they received help with personal hygiene care, eating and medication at $250-$350 per night.

Local 10 reported the home catered to patients receiving cosmetic surgery.

Roundtree faces the felony charges of operating an assisted living facility without a license, Florida litter law and hazardous waste violations, as well as two related misdemeanors, court records show. Her arraignment is scheduled for May 9. Her attorney information was not immediately available.

Illegal plastic surgery recovery home: 2 women charged after operating unlicensed cosmetic surgery recovery house in Miami

Cosmetic surgery's impact on medical tourism

Roundtree is not the only one in recent months to receive criminal charges for allegedly running an illegal post-op recovery center in Miami. Two women were charged in October 2023 in an operation known as "Yeni's House. "

Cosmetic surgeries have seen an uptick in recent years and more specifically there appears to be a  growing number of people who are traveling to get these procedures .

Traveling after a major surgery can be risky, as sitting for a long time or flying can  increase risk of blood-clots .  UCLA Health encourages plastic surgery patients  to have a caretaker for the first few days after the procedure.

As the  Miami Herald reported , a service for this is not widely available, so people coming to Miami from out of town for these elective surgeries must find post-surgery recovery arrangements until their wounds heal.

Florida law does not license for this specific service, the Herald reported, but there is a  statute that defines assisted living facility  as a facility that provides personal services for more than 24 hours to one more adults who are not adults of the owner of the facility.

Contributing: Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
• April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
• April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
• April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’
• April 5, 2024   •   29:11 An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth
• April 4, 2024   •   32:37 Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen
• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
• April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
• March 29, 2024   •   48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband

How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

A mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares..

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Will Reid

With Clare Toeniskoetter and Lynsea Garrison

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Rowan Niemisto ,  Dan Powell ,  Pat McCusker and Will Reid

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The Times, tells the story of a victim who lost everything, and of the criminal group making the scam calls — Jalisco New Generation, one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.

On today’s episode

Maria Abi-Habib , an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City.

Background reading

How a brutal Mexican drug cartel came to target seniors and their timeshares .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Advertisement

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Russian women tourists shot dead on beach in Thailand

Detectives were yesterday investigating the murder of two young Russian women tourists whose bodies were found slumped in deckchairs at a beach resort in Thailand .

The bodies of Tatiana Tsimfar, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were discovered at a beach in Pattaya, a few feet from the sea. Both had been shot dead. They had apparently been waiting to watch the sunrise.

Next to them was a two-thirds empty bottle of whisky, a can of Coke, cigarettes, and a pair of transparent flip-flops. The women's mobile phones lay untouched on a table - apparently ruling out the possibility their murder had been a robbery.

Yesterday's Russian newspapers printed photographs of the dead women. Diplomats described their killing as senseless. They said there was no obvious explanation why two Russian holidaymakers on a package tour should have been gunned down. "This is a strange and senseless crime," Vladimir Pronin, Russia's consul in Thailand said, adding: "We have nothing concrete yet as to who killed them."

Murder squad police yesterday said they suspected a gang of foreigners living in the area could be behind the slaying of the women, who were shot at close range with a 9mm pistol. Officers said they had examined photographs on the women's cameras but gave little away about the leads discovered there.

A reward of 100,000 Baht (£1,500) was offered for any information that could lead to the killer of the tourists, who were found on the popular Jomtien Beach at 5am on Saturday a few hundred metres from their hotel.

The pair arrived in Thailand on February 16, and were due to leave for home in two days' time.

Russians became the largest group visiting Pattaya last year, with 274,000 arriving there in the first six months, a jump of 38% on the previous year. The beach resort 90 miles south-east of Bangkok has a booming trade in sex tourism. But police Lieutenant General Assawin Kwanmuang who is heading the investigation dismissed earlier suggestions that the women were involved in the sex trade or that they were involved in any illegal business in Pattaya.

• Asia Pacific

Most viewed