On February 22, 1968, the year-round Soviet Polar Station Bellingshausen began operating in West Antarctica, 58 years since then!
King George Island, part of the South Shetland Islands group, one of the most picturesque regions of Antarctica, was chosen for the construction of the station. The Station’s employees still carry out geographical, geological and biological studies of the Ice Continent. However, in the past, the number of winterers exceeded the current number of employees: 8 year-round personnel and 5 seasonal specialists.
The first wooden houses built here were designed for 20 people. And already in the 70s, wooden houses were replaced with more reliable aluminum buildings. During the same period, a powerful radio center appeared at the station, which served not only scientists, but also the fishing fleet in the southern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
By the end of the 80s, the station already employed 28 year-round personnel. In the summer, 25 more scientists joined them. But in the 90s, funding was reduced, and the Bellingshausen Station (WAP RUS-Ø1) operated in the format of a seasonal field station.
It was only in 1997 that the Government again allocated funding for the implementation of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE). Thanks to this, Russia has maintained its geopolitical presence in Antarctica, and its scientific human resources have been saved.
.
.
At the same time, the geographical location and climatic conditions of the Station allow scientists to carry out a number of unique scientific research. For example, during the wintering period, observations on meteorology, atmospheric physics, coastal hydrology, biology, ecology are carried out there, as well as satellite images are being received to analyze the development of drifting ice in Antarctica.
.
In January 2020, a monument to Thaddeus Bellingshausen was unveiled on the shores of King George Island at the Russian Station, to whom it is named
.
.
..
.
In the mid 1990s, Patriarch Alexius II of Moscow gave his blessing for this audacious project. The church was constructed in Russia and transported by a supply ship to its present location. One or two monks from Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra, considered the most important Russian monastery as it is the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church, volunteer to man the church year-round.
While most of the buildings on this continent are built to hug the ground to reduce their exposure to the polar wind, this church proudly stands 15 meters tall. It is a wooden structure constructed from Siberian pine and carved in the traditional Russian style by master carpenters of Altay.
.
.
February 15, 2004:
.
The Holy Trinity Church at the Russian Bellingshausen Station in Antarctica was consecrated.
Located on a rocky hill near the Bellingshausen Station, making it the southernmost Eastern Orthodox church in the world. The 15-meter-tall Holy Trinity Church, constructed from Siberian pine and cedar to withstand extreme polar conditions, was built to serve the Russian Orthodox community and to honor the Russian polar explorers.
On Saturday, February 21st, starting at 3:00 PM, the city of Imperia did celebrate an Antarctic Day at the Auditorium of Naval Museum , featuring the Cepparo HF expedition radio equipment.
In addition, Gabriele IK1NEG who did moderate the event, announce that he will be active as II1SR/p (
Today marks 122 years of uninterrupted Argentinean presence in Antarctica. On February 22, 1904, Argentina began its institutional Antarctic presence by taking charge of the meteorological observatory on Laurie Island, in the South Orkney Islands.
Black Island, USA Telecommunication Facility is listed on
February 15, 1953: British forces landed on Deception Island (South Shetland Islands) and destroyed the Argentine Refuge, Lieutenant Lasala (picture attached), as well as a nearby Chilean Refuge. They even demanded passports and visas to remain in what they considered “British Territory.”
On February 13, 1956, the first Russian Antarctic Research Station was opened on the Davis Sea coast marking the beginning of continuous scientific observations in Antarctica.
The expedition was led by the famous polar explorer and outstanding polar researcher, the head of the drifting station “North Pole-2”, Hero of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Mikhailovich Somov. (pic aside)
In addition to the 7Øth Anniversary of Mirny Station, it is also interesting to know that, on Jan 5, 1956, the diesel-electric ship Ob carrying a team of Soviet scientists and polar explorers reached the Antarctic continent. From that day onward, large-scale national research in Antarctica began. The work of these pioneers is still carried forward today by the Russian Antarctic Expedition of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (
He is on board of the Research Icebreaker since a couple days now and plans to participate in 
In memory of the 1st Italian Base in Antarctica, Saturday, February 7th, 2026, members of the ARI (Italian Amateur Radio Association) of Grado gathered early on Schiusa Island, operating a SES “
Of Roman origin, Grado (gradus, landing) was founded in the 2nd century AD as fisherman’s village and, later, harbour for ships sailing up the river Natissa towards Aquileia. Grado developed, around the middle of the 5th century AD, when many inhabitants fled to the island to escape the devastating Hun hordes led by Attila which, in 452 AD, destroyed nearby Aquileia. During that eventful period, the Patriarch of Aquileia moved to Grado and proclaimed himself Patriarch of this site. Grado remained an independent Patriarch site until 1451 even if, in the middle of the 12th century, the Patriarch himself moved his residence to Venice.
DL1RUN Karsten Stephan, is a keen Antarctic hunter and owner of Special Event Stations to celebrate Antarctica: DAØANT (WAP-128), DQ6ØANT (
While earlier expeditions explored, the GvN in 1981 established consistent year-round research, fulfilling the “5Ø years ago” timeframe and solidifying German scientific commitment.