The new Zenit Antarctic airfield is located at the Progress research station and was opened on 7 November. The research station is home to scientists from the St. Petersburg Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.

The new airfield will allow more scientific work to be carried out during the more difficult seasons in Antarctica and help to increase the activities of the Russian Antarctic Expedition on the continent. 

Alexander Makarov, director of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute told us: “Our institute is based in St. Petersburg, so we collectively made the decision to name the new Antarctica airfield in honour St. Petersburg's football club. We'realready discussing ways to promote our work with the club and to tell the supporters about our interesting work."