In the early 20th century, a group of scientists and engineers in the Soviet Union attempted to reverse the course of a major river and redirect it to a new location. The project, known as the “White Sea-Baltic Canal,” involved the construction of a massive canal that would connect the White Sea in the north to the Baltic Sea in the west, bypassing the lengthy and treacherous route around the Kola Peninsula.
The project was conceived by Joseph Stalin as a way to improve transportation and communication between the western and eastern parts of the Soviet Union. It was also seen as a way to increase the country’s access to the Arctic Ocean and to tap into the resources of the region. The construction of the canal was carried out by forced labor, and it is estimated that tens of thousands of prisoners died during the project due to the harsh conditions and mistreatment. Despite the enormous effort and resources that were poured into the project, it was eventually abandoned due to technical difficulties and the onset of World War II.