In this video we see the Russian military use artillery fire to start an avalance. The YouTube poster says this occurs in “North Ossessia” but I wonder if they mean “North Ossetia“. That’s certainly what the caption says! Actually, even the name “Ossetia” is a tricky one. The medieval name for the region was incorperated into the country in 1994. This might be an avalanche in North Ossessia or it may be an avalanche in North Ossetia-Alania.

Either way; this is definately an avalanche caused by troops firing big guns into the side of the mountain. They’ll have done this on purpose; to trigger the avalanche at a time of their own selection, when there is no one supposed to be on the mountain and when people are on high alert. This is a better option than letting nature spring an avalanche on you when she wants.

Does this mean everything goes according to the Russian plan? It’s hard to say. It certainly looks as if the avalanche goes further than expected with the fringe hitting the military and the camera man.

In Pure Spirit

Isn’t this impressive? Who do you think comes off better in this encounter? Man or Nature?