Krasnoarmeysky (Russian: Красноармейский, literally Red Army; Chukot: Пырӄаӄай, Pyrḳaḳaj) was an inhabited locality (an urban-type settlement) in Chaunsky District of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia. Population: 0 (2002 Census);[2] 2,299 (1989 Soviet census)[6]
The settlement was founded in March 1940 on the banks of the Pyrkanayvaam River, 100 km from Pevek[7] to house the miners and administrative workers from the Pyrkakay (Russian: Пыркакай) tin mine, with the name being changed to Krasnoarmeysky in January 1942 to honour the victories of the Red Army.[8] It was given settlement status in 1953, but was determined to no longer be economically viable in 1998.[9] As of 2009, Krasnoarmeysky is included in the list of settlements currently in the process of being liquidated.[1]
The mines were declared unprofitable and that there was no possibility of developing any other form of economy in 1999 and the settlement was closed along with a number of others in Chukotka.[3] The Russian government guaranteed funds to transport non-working pensioners and the unemployed in liquidated settlements including Krasnoarmeysky from Chukotka to other parts of Russia.[3] The Ministry of Railways was obliged to lease containers for the transportation of the migrants' goods to the Chukotkan administration and ensure that they were delivered to the various settlements.[3] The population table below shows the impact on the settlement as a result of the closure of the mines.
Krasnoarmeysky has a Tundra climate (ET)[14] because the warmest month has an average temperature between 0 °C (32 °F) and 10 °C (50 °F).