In the Army Now
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Enlisting in the Russian Army to bust military myths – In the Army Now Ep.01
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Dressing in 45 seconds & army food test – In the Army Now Ep.02
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Are reindeer and huskies really part of Russian Army transport? – In the Army Now Ep.03
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Arctic Regiment as testing ground for cutting-edge military hardware – In the Army Now Ep.04
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Joining firefighters at Russia’s Plesetsk Cosmodrome – In the Army Now Ep.5
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Rocket launch at Plesetsk Cosmodrome – In the Army Now Ep.6
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Becoming marines with the Caspian Fleet – In the Army Now Ep.7
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Demining the sea & why a woman on board is bad luck– In the Army Now Ep.8
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Navy slang, driving a Corvette, and marine initiation rituals – In the Army Now Ep.9
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Inside Russia’s once-secret space surveillance station in Tajikistan – In the Army Now Ep.10
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UFO hunting at Okno Surveillance Station – In the Army Now Ep.11
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Joining the 201st Motor Rifle Division & training with ‘Gods of War’ – In the Army Now Ep.12
Joining firefighters at Russia’s Plesetsk Cosmodrome – In the Army Now Ep.5
Opened in 1957, Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome has been in operation for 60 years. Unlike Baikanur in Kazakhstan, the Plesetsk site is on Russian territory. Its use has increased since the end of the Soviet Union despite still only launching unmanned rockets.
Related: Tanks: Born in Russia
The neighbouring town of Mirny is a high security area requiring a permit to gain entry. Anna and Pavel are fortunate enough to be granted permission. They are even allowed to visit the rocket assembly hangar – but not before they learn the health and safety rules! While Pavel studiously reads a memo, Anna takes a more hands-on approach and joins the spaceport fire brigade. She takes part in a drill, learning to change into a firefighter’s uniform in just 20 seconds and extinguish fires using a hose and a water cannon.
Related: Firepower: Air
When they are primed and ready, Anna and Pavel enter the hangar to help prepare the rocket for launch. Here, they find out what's special about the hangar floor as well as the purpose of the rocket they are working on.