Photos: Russia's ghost villages

Russia rural depopulation 1

A bus in Pskov city with a banner that reads, "Pskov region: Russia starts here!"
- [Howard Amos/GlobalPost]
Russia rural depopulation 2

Pskov is ancient Russian city. Here a man ice fishes in front of the citadel's 1699 cathedral, the highest point in the city and the fourth church to be built on the site.
- [Howard Amos/GlobalPost]
Russia rural depopulation 5

Molodoshkovo's nearest primary school, located about 10 miles from the village.
- [Howard Amos/GlobalPost]
Russia rural depopulation 6

Sergei, 19, works taking care of horses in the Pskov region.
- [Howard Amos/GlobalPost]
Russia rural depopulation 8

Off-duty soldiers in Pskov. As a region on Russia's western border, Pskov has always had a strong military presence.
- [Howard Amos/GlobalPost]
Russia rural depopulation 10

In a village neighboring Molodoshkovo, Belskoye Ustye, the only remnants of the czarist estate's landscaped gardens are the trees planted in straight lines.
- [Howard Amos/GlobalPost]
Russia rural depopulation 11

Children play football in Porkhov, Molodoshkovo's local town. Germans shot over 5,000 Soviet prisoners during World War II on what is now a football field.
- [Howard Amos/GlobalPost]