Odd Places, Odd Things

In this week's Odder News: Putin takes on coronavirus, we find Lenin in a strange place, and tanks turn out not to be a great commuting option.

• A grove of forest trees that spells out "LENIN" has been discovered in Omsk Oblast, Siberia, by a drone hobbyist. Reportedly, it's likely leftover from a patriotic arborist in the 1970s, and you can see it for yourself on Google Maps.
• To slow the spread of coronavirus, Russia's state consumer protection agency is urging hotels to prevent non-married couples from sharing rooms. Although, fortunately, you won't be required to show a marriage certificate when you check in.
• Two men have been arrested for attempting to lob drugs into a jail in Moscow via an arrow tied to fishing line, which is pretty impressive in a McGyver kind of way.
• Moscow taxpayers will probably enjoy the Victory Day parade coming up, but they might be annoyed at having to get the streets repaved. Apparently WW2-era T-34s and modern asphalt simply don't mix, as this video highlights.
• Temperatures in Arctic Siberia are soaring, so if you're into mammoth hunting, now's your chance (we're not kidding).
• You can never be too safe: President Putin is reportedly using a mist-spraying "disinfection tunnel" to ensure that those visiting his residence won't pass along coronavirus. See it in action here.
• Parents in one province of the ex-Soviet nation of Turkmenistan are livid that their kids, who should be at a school summer camp, are instead being put to work picking potatoes, which sounds like it involves a lot fewer s'mores.