A team of daring cave divers have produced an incredible photo-reportage of the longest underwater gypsum crystal cave in the world.
The Orda Cave in the western Urals region is three miles of eerily dramatic natural channels created by water so clear divers can see over 50 yards ahead of them.
Over a period of six months the intrepid team led by photographer and journalist, Victor Lyagushkin, 40, from Russia explored the water filled cave tunnels at temperatures barely above freezing.
Scroll down to see a video of divers in the Orda Cave
'It means few years of hard training, a lot of heavy and expensive equipment. That is why we decided to show pictures to people across the world.
'Now you need not visit Russia and go underwater - you may see it sitting in your own chair.'
WHAT IS GYPSUM?
Gypsum is a mineral that can form in to clear crystals and is responsible for the amazingly transparent mineral water and eye-opening nature of the gullies and rock formations.
In France, Gypsum was commonly ground up and used as plaster in construction - which is where the name 'plaster of Paris' is thought to have originated.
In France, Gypsum was commonly ground up and used as plaster in construction - which is where the name 'plaster of Paris' is thought to have originated.
But the expedition was not without danger.
'We do control our risks - before each dive we discuss each moment, to find a solution to any situation we are faced with,' said Mr Lyagushkin.
'If it is too risky, we do not dive. We must be aware of each step, or you will die.
'But the reward is the possibility to see something beautiful, something that nobody has seen before you.
'For the millions of years this amazing place has existed water has formed it into a palace while no human was here.
'To visit this cave gives you a special feeling - I think the same feeling cosmonauts on the Moon have.
'You are hanging with no gravity in the strange unusual world. You fly like a bird over its landscapes.'
This meant Mr Lyagushkin's team had to construct an underwater funnel to take their air bubbles safely to the mouth of the cave.
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'We took samples of water and silt and minerals in different parts of the cave to help them investigate the processes.
'If people do not see underwater world, they do not know its value, they do not understand that it must be protected.
'We hope they will come to know it better through our photos.'
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