Bad weather in Russia will also hit exports of wheat.

ECONOMIST: Another food crisis looms

With droughts in Russia, excessive rains in Canada and Pakistan and adverse weather conditions affecting the harvest in the U.S., the U.S. government has cut its forecast for stocks of key crops such as corn, wheat and soybean.

FORBES: Food Costs Force Unilever To Preserve Either Market Share Or Margins

Yet it is Russia's self-destructive streak that has turned testing weather into a tragedy.

ECONOMIST: A potent mix of heat, haze, alcohol and corruption

The most unpleasant weather occurs in winter, when easterly winds from Russia may bring very low temperatures for several days on end.

BBC: Czech Republic

Mr Dempster was 16 in 1944 when he sailed in the convoys, battling extreme weather and German bombardment to help keep a supply line with Russia open.

BBC: Arctic Convoys campaign veteran Jock Dempster dies

Mr Dempster was 16 in 1944 when he first sailed in the convoys, battling extreme weather and German bombardment to help keep a supply line with Russia open.

BBC: Medal ceremony in Wester Ross for Arctic Convoy sailors