Mate this really was bald and bankrupt extreme. Genuinely real edge of your seat stuff throughout. An amazing pay-off to an incredible video - though sad to see the fate that befell the Buran. Glad you guys got away from the authorities safely!
Taking a bus to the middle of nowhere, walking 30 km across a desert, stumbling upon one of the greatest Soviet relics and then taking a 50 buck MVD taxi to a closed off city. Just a regular day in a Soviet adventurer's life.
Didn't mean to be boring too much but just to make it clear :) MVD where M stands for Ministry (Министерство). V is for Internal (Внутренние). And D is for Affairs (Дела). So its MVD or you would call it Ministry of internal Affairs. It's a regular police actually.
After watching the final Soviet episode, this feels even more poetic. Like the culmination of the all the years of traveling the former USSR. The most grand payoff. The true ultimate relic of past glory. The embodiment of all you’ve sought out. It’s truly been a pleasure to watch
OMG , pppeter i just discovered your channel recently and thought it reminded me a bit of bald and bankrupt and came to the conclusion that your youtubing must of been influenced a bit by him. this has just confirmed. love your videos btw
It should sure get an award for stupidity and arrogance. 30 km walk with almost no supplies, tough terrain, no cover, there could have been sensors, landmines, high fences with barbed wire, guard dogs at large, sentries with orders to shoot on sight.............. that is how it was back in the Cold War era of the 20th century............ but I guess this is now the TH-cam era of the 21st century............. so they were released after a few hours with a small fine................ it could have been 20 years in the gulag............ but I do admit the 2 of them pulled off the biggest "spaceport tourism" visit ever.
There’s no Netflix, Amazon etc company that could make me engrossed like that did. I can’t even imagine what the off camera struggles where like. Best video on TH-cam. By a mile.
I've watched you for a long time now and this was definitely the peak (so far). My jaw was on the floor seeing history, it's a shame they won't at least make a museum out of it. Amazing documentary!
Hey Johnny! 35:24 I was thinking of you when Bald said "well one thing we've learned today is that it's easier visiting a spaceship than the space church". No dodgy burgers or gopnik dogs either! Cheers and hope you're doing well.
True. It was a crazy adventure and the real deal. We can see how emotionally rewarding it was for them to. That even alone contributes alot to this film. The passion is real. Thats why we love them.
After discovering you were arrested and essentially banished from Russia, as reported own on your Sept 1 video, I figured it must be because of this video of the Buran. I have to say that this video tops any content on TH-cam, bar none. I was gobsmacked when you turned the camera onto that space relic, only because I always believed it was nothing more than a concept and never built. You have balls brother, and I truly admire your work.
Thanks! I am really jealous of you and your adventures! You motivate me to start my own. Hope this small pittance will help cover you and your lovely friends fine. Love and respect from Cleveland, Ohio USA.
Here is a small contrib to your fines . This video is so awesome , your craziest exploration clip yet! :) Thank you both for the effort. Hope you both and fidel the cat is doing well.
This is probably your most epic video to date Bald - staggering how you find these places and bring them to the world via this channel. We are all richer for your experiences
Definitely the best video yet. Such a shame that Russia doesn't take more pride in it's previous soviet (peaceful) achievements. Those spacecraft deserve to be preserved in a museum.
After checking out Lana Sator, for those who haven’t seen, she was arrested in Albania and being charged with espionage. Her photographs and stories are incredible and extremely informative, especially for those with an affinity for USSR history. As someone with a history and interest in exploring satellite imagery all across Russia, seeing photographs up close and personal is a surreal experience. Although unfortunate, it can be understood why the Albanian government is concerned over finding a Russian photographer deep in an abandoned military base. I do believe she never had any ill intent, simply chasing after her passion. Her photographs are truly priceless and I hope everything works out for her in the end. How ironic that only a few weeks after B&B runs into a bit of trouble, Lana also falls into similar circumstances (albeit much worse). Stay safe out there!
100$ is the price for foreigners. 15-20$ is more than enough. When I traveled to Buran with illegal tourist group, we have been pay 100$ for small bus and a local scout, who delivered us to Buran building across military patrols.
He’s been captured and cloned…this isn’t the real Ben. It’s a Russian cyborg programmed to infiltrate and capture western secrets, he uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to download his stored information to a secret computer hidden in Lenin’s casket. Once his mission is complete he will self destruct in a chosen city rumoured to be Lichfield in Staffordshire. All this information was obtained using French espionage from the NorthFace database, who are cooperating with the Russians and created his blue armoured jacket with prototype hand warmers inside. You’ve been warned. If I go missing it was Ben
This a certified bald classic right here: Crossing a desert in total darkness, stumbling upon a soviet sink, breaking into the cosmodrome, seeing the Buran with your own eyes, getting "arrested" by authorities and getting to see the town of Baikonur. What an adventure from start to finish. Cheers to you both
@@OfftheWallTales Yes, I'm amazed by the coincidences with you two, especially when you found her taking a leak in an abandoned farmyard miles from anywhere and halfway through your journey, then waiting for the same goods train across the Sahara. It must be because your fans have described your posts as "magic".
@@capcompass9298 Clearly they are so connected on a spiritual level, they always find each other without even trying. Hahaha it's always fun to see how he'll just 'find' her- at a cafe? Taking a wee outside? Who knows!
Got chills when you said “This is peak Bald and Bankrupt, this is peak Soviet, this is peak everything”. Thank you, I have learned so much about that land through your travels and brilliant insight. This channel is a treasure!
@@IcelanderUSer and the US used Nazi German brain power. The real question is, where did the Nazis get their knowledge? Seek and you may be surprised what you find.
I actually felt emotional when he said "This is peak Bald and Bankrupt, this is peak Soviet, this is peak everything” this channel has been there for me through so many hard times in recent years, and brought me a sense of excitement and joy when I didn't have much else going for me. I feel like we've all been on this grand adventure together and it's so bittersweet knowing this may be one of the last new videos. So thank you Bald, for the good times, and for the community! За верных друзей !
We all are on this journey together! Don’t forget that you aren’t alone. Reach out to anyone on here if you need someone to talk to. I’m sure we are all mostly friends here. Goodluck with your personal journey!
One of these days I think I'm just gnna rebinge Bald. I just thought about the one where he was biking around, bought a bottle of vodka and climbed a Soviet tower.
This is by far the best explore you’ve done. Conor Clyne and many others were quick to mock you when word got around you’d been detained, and they all Assumed you’d been caught trying to get in. Little did they know that you two actually got in, had a snooze, and still got pretty much the best abandoned footage of anything ever. Incredible.
@@baldandbankrupt Honestly, I'm blown away by your whole trip. It almost felt like a hero's journey. And that you actually got to see it in all its crystalline soviet glory-the craftsmanship, the science, the tragic decay; I mean, when could one ever grasp at the clutches of fate to behold such an opulent, regal, and shimmeringly resplendent sink like that again?
Bald's achievements are something that many can dream of. Not even the sky's the limit for this deadly duo (Ben/Alina). Hail the Gods of Soviet Adventure 🙇♂️
Hey Bald,thank you for inspiring me to travel and learn Russian.I just wanted to tell you that I am on a “Soviet adventure” in Armenia and yesterday went hunting for that pioneer camp in spitak.Took a selfie from the diving board of the indoor swimming pool just like you did😇 .Love and respect from one of your 3% women subscribers 😊
Nothing will top this Bald! When you both entered the hangar and got your first glimpse at the Buran, I think that's one of the best moments I've seen on TH-cam. Insane to think of the engineering that went into making that thing - probably one of the greatest achievements of humanity to date, and heartbreaking to see it rotting away in a desert, caged up with scrap metal.
Let’s be clear... they stole the plans from the Americans. The Soviets did most things first in space ... but credit where it is due ... Buran was American.
It shows how shortlived the things are modern humans create. 3 decades ago this was a place of peak human technology, 30 years no maintenance and it´s just a decaying wasteland. And the spaceport itself is still in use afaik.
This was one of those videos where I thought "oh, they're never going to make it", or "there's no way inside there", or "definitely gonna get captured before they get there", and then they actually MADE IT IN! Not only did they make it in, but the seconds from 33:00 are just breaktakingly emotional and rather sad. Easily one of the best... well done, Bald & Alina!
Agree!! I usually read comments before watching the video to have a glimpse of what the audience had reacted. But this time, I watched the video first and it was worth it! After I watched the video, I scroll through the comments and Im so happy that I shared my emotion with other viewers. We have the same sentiments!
Im at a loss here honestly, dont know how to express this. The things youve done and shown us from the corners of the earth is one of the greatest things that has happened on the internet. This entire channel, Benjamin. Incredible.
Agreed Sir. I started watching about two years ago and absolutely loved his Indian adventures. Little did I know back then that an amazing Soviet adventure awaited me!
$100 for a Russian Uber rather than walking 30km back sounds like a real bargain. It was hard not to get emotional when I first saw the tail fin peeking around the iron bars. So glad you were able to document this (and keep the SD card) - it really is peak Soviet, peak Bald, peak everything. Fantastic work and we're all glad you made it back in one piece.
I would have had an SD card duplicator and copied the card to another card hidden on my person. So if they erased the camera, you still have the video on the other card.
This is clearly 100 per cent genuine. You two are so amazing. I can't believe you far you go to bring us 100 per cent authentic content and solid adventures. Absolultely blow away, there ia nothing like this channel. All i can say is - WOW
This was one of the most insane YT videos I've seen. Can't believe you actually managed to get into that place and film inside of it. It's incredible to see stuff like that that's complety lost in time
Not matter where you are, what situation you are facing, whatever consequences might be ahead, you ALWAYS have to admire the pure sight of a Soviet SINK!
What amazing serendipity! Imagine traveling 30 km on foot through a dark desert and Bald finds an abandoned soviet sink in the middle of nowhere. Epic!
I felt so emotional when alinchick, was up that ladder, and revealed the spaceshuttle for the first time. Risking your lives for this entertainment was quite a gift to us. Thank you!
This was going along well then Alina appeared out of nowhere, and made the whole thing better. Seems whenever Ben has something daring to do she will show up. You two make a fearless , but fun team!
Wow. I froze in my seat, didn't dare to blink, stopped breathing here and there and felt the FSB right behind my back. What an epic adventure. Thanks to both of you for showing us these incredible marvels of space history!!!
This is absolutely the craziest and coolest thing you’ve ever done. It’s a shame that it’s fallen in such disrepair but thanks for getting in and letting us get our eyes on some of this crazy history.
You always seem to amaze me brother! Love to see you, and Alina on all these crazy adventures around the world. Keep up the positive energy and if ever in the Netherlands I hope to share some beers with you (we got some really nice ones if I may say) All the best comrade!
Soviets waren bezetters en geen bevrijders. Hij zou naar de Poolse graven moeten komen in Noord-Brabant. Veel mensen weten niet hoeveel Polen hun leven hebben gegeven in de hoop in hun eigen land een vrije democratie te krijgen. Wat ze kregen was een communistische tiran genaamd Stalin en opvolgers die Polen nog eens meer dan 40 jaar bezetten en leegroofden. Vergeet niet dat het Stalin was die het Ribbentrop pact sloot met Hitler. Sovjet soldaten zijn nooit bevrijders geweest, enkel de nieuwe bezetters die als beesten te keer ging tegen de bevolking.
Alinchik is an absolute trooper. This, along with the both of you having to sleep in the car on a mountain overnight, is so incredibly cool. It’s awesome that you have such a worthy travel buddy. Love the content!
This has got to be one of the best TH-cam vids...ever. Most other travel vloggers are bland and unentertaining in comparison. Alinchick as Bald's sidekick is superb. I feel inspired !
Wow. This truly is Peak Bald and Bankrupt. Thanks for showing us something that I don’t think we would see anywhere else. Sad that both Buran are not in a museum somewhere and instead left to rot in a hanger.
Ben, thank you for your whole channel. The best thing on TH-cam, this video is the pinnacle of all of your content. I’ve watched every single one of your videos and also felt emotional watching you discover the Buran. You deserved that moment. Well done to you and Alina.
I would like to say that while every B&B video is a gem of its own, this video has got to be among the best and most unique adventures i've ever seen. I find both his willpower and adventurous spirit to be absolutely inspiring. It almost feels like a movie that just keeps you wondering if they're gonna make it or get caught, all the while learning about fascinating soviet history, with a happy ending and a hilarious outcome. Thank you Ben for all your effort and for uploading your amazing content!
Well said. I actually was almost happy with them getting into the outer buildings, but to see them getting up the ladder and into the main hanger, that was the icing on the cake
Yeah, this is right up there with the Ekranoplan video, perhaps even higher. Too bad the An-225 was destroyed in this stupid war, a video on seeing it up close would have been perfect to complete the holy trinity of Soviet engineering.
Out of all your videos following the wingspan of living history in the former USSR, from Chernobyl to the Gulags of Siberia, this really felt the most like being in history. I think the pictures someone left of football and the in-flight Buran in their locker left me in as big an awe as the actual hangar with the spaceshuttles. It's so jawdropping how it's just been left standing, not polished up with thousands of guides, signs and tours. It's like you're visiting the Soviet times physically. And standing on the roof pointing to the place where Gagarin left earth for space is fucking crazy and pretty much the pinnacle for this channel. I'm happy for you Ben!
Ben you are a legend! American space shuttles are kept in nice shiny museums and visited by millions while The Buran rusts away, all but forgotten in the middle of nowhere. It looks very post apocalyptic and would make a great setting for a horror movie. Thanks for tracking down this relic and sharing your adventure.
Nobody seems to have visited this place for TH-cam in four or five years and you made it the most realistic and exciting by far. Thank you for showing every aspect of what it takes to share this site with us and not just the site itself. I always plan trips to places that will have lots of things to do once there. The amount of time and effort it took to show us just this one thing is astounding.
Wow! This is so special. As an engineer, I had goosebumps when you first went into the hangar, close to the machines. It is a damn shame that this marvel of human achievement is left to rot in the middle of nowhere. I am Indian, and the only Indian national to have gone to space blasted off from Baikonur on a Soyuz, back in the Soviet era. This is such a special place.
Wow wow wow. I mean honestly Ben, even by your standards you've outdone yourself with this one. Like you said, this is peak Bald and Bankrupt. I was thrilled the entire way, and the payoff was out of this world...literally! You are a credit to TH-cam and to modern journalism and I'm so grateful that you put in the effort to bring us these videos. Thank you!
You absolute legends, I was buzzing when you actually got inside and found the shuttle. Incredible stuff. Talk about never give up. Alenchik is made of steel too. Well done.
Literally cried when they found the ship. The fuck is wrong with me haha. It was like my inner child achieved his dream. Thank you so much for doing this. This was the pinnacle.
I guarantee when meeting the Russian Internal Police, the amount of respect you had in conversation for such an amazing piece of history like the Buran is what got you off practically scot-free, it was genuinely an art piece this video.
Bald was in media before summer about this video. He explained its not a crime to enter where he did. You just need a permission. He entered without getting the permission. So since its not a crime, he was not arrested. Check daily mail and you will see.
I got kind of emotional when they managed to get into the building and I could see the fin of the spacecraft. I was thinking, damn, Bald did it. This was really the culmination of Bald's soviet adventures. The Soviet Space Program was the height of the USSR's accomplishment so I can see why this was so important for Bald to visit/explore this area. Actually the biggest surprise to me in all of this is that Bald & Alana got off with a small fine; no jail time. I was thinking it was likely that Bald would have been thrown out out of Kazakhstan and banned from entering the country again, along with Russia. Just a hunch but I think the fact that Bald speaks Russian, is a good conversationalist, and having Alana with him helped the situation. This might be Bald's best video so far because of the risk/magnitude of it and he managed to achieve his goal.
@@-jank-willson Well he does speak russian and it also helps that she is Belarussian. Different what media nowadays make you want to believe, russians are not that bad or stupid.
This was the most daring and entertaining video that Ben has ever created. He really stretched himself beyond his limits in this one. But sadly this felt like a finale episode of Bald and Bankrupt.
Possibly one of the most astonishing videos on YT. Not only for the Space ship. but for the fact Alina walked 30k across the desert at night , wearing a Tshirt and shorts, and always has a smile. not only does Russia buld incredible train stations , it bulds incredible fearless and inspiration people too. . An epic ending to your Russian adventures Ben . you sure went out on a High note . spasibo.!!
As everyone is already saying, I haven’t watched something THAT EPIC on TH-cam in a very very long time. Thanks for taking us on that ride, what a blast!
I can't recall that American youtuber where he gets lost in a jungle in Congo, trades a crocodile for a shelter in a remote tribal village and is later deported from the country as the governor thinks he's a spy. No one goes to Congolese jungles. Another one is a Russian channel "The people". He too is into such adventures.
I was honestly worried they wouldn’t get to it since I knew they got arrested there. I’m glad they at least got to see it before they got caught lol. Won’t lie though I was thinking the whole time that the ladder was probably what got them caught. I can imagine some guard walking by like wtf 😂.
He said exactly what I was thinking when we saw the spaceship, peak balk and bankrupt. Benjamin goes above and beyond for his content and I love him for it. You 2 are hard-core explorers!
This was hands down the best video I've seen all year. I freaking love everything Ben does. No matter if it's buying "Babushkas Secrets" at a random soviet train station or walking 30km through a desert to break into a soviet spacecraft hangar. Just brilliant.
Man this is the best video you ever made. I've always wanted to visit that area and see where some of the most epic moments of the space race happened. It's so sad that it isn't open to the public. Just thanks so much for going through that crazy journey to show us this. I know you're talking about giving up youtube, but I hope this is far fromm the last adventure we'll go on.
I love how Alina just happens to pop up in the strangest remote locations. An amazing coincidence! Almost makes me think you gave forethought and advance planning to these adventures instead of just walking out your home and saying "What's next?".
This kept me in suspense for so long. It looked like such a difficult journey. I have massive respect for the commitment you had and bravery. What a legendary view once you got to see all the history inside the abandoned buildings.
@@falixxxxx did you see the terrain? It looked very bumpy and there were lots of holes in the ground. Not only would it be uncomfortable to ride a bike in those conditions, but it would also draw more attention.
Benjamin brother, followed you from the very start. Be very proud of your videos. You took us on a journey that no other TH-camr has quite managed to do so. Don’t let this be the last of it
Seeing those two space shuttels just standing there untouched for decades in complete silence must be one of the most "wow" moments anyone could have dreamt of. It is both amazing and oddly disturbing at the same time. Great job Bald!
@@TheNameOfJesus I thought about that. I guess they don't really care that much because they don't think most people would be willing to walk 30km through the desert and dodge the patrols. They probably sealed it up more now, too.
@@jimdandy8119 The 3 day prison sentence is probaly for people trying to acces the active areas where they have equipment actually in use, they probaly don't care much for this part
Bald and Bankrupt is now at legendary status! Alina is always a good travel companion, trekking across the barren landscape, not many woman are up for that. What an adventure!! You right, this one is the Peak. Well done 👍
This was beyond epic! Holy cow! It was exciting watching you find a way in, but as you turned the corner and the ship came into view, I literally got a chill. Dang! Your willingness to risk harm and arrest, and your dedication to doing this and bringing us with you is more than any other TH-camr I'm aware of. And Alina, OMG, your courage and sheer energy - wow! You're blessed to have each other, imho, and I'm a fan forever. I subscribed several years ago, and have been dropping everything as soon as one of your videos pops up ever since. Thank you so much for this!
You raised the benchmark with this video. Thoroughly enjoyed the thrill and the revelation towards the end. Both of you worked hard for this adventure hard and it paid off at the end. Cheers to the both of you, Benjamin and Alina. Looking forward to some more nailbiting adventures in the future.
Easily one of the best videos not only on this channel, but on all of TH-cam! The emotion when they got a glimpse of the Buran was amazing, felt like all of bald's adventures went into that moment. Sensational and inspiring!
This video is the creme de la creme! Priceless. Classic. Absolutely awesome. The Soviet mosaics, the desert hike with Thomas the Tank/Avenger umbrellas, the Soviet sink discovery and all the courageous adventurizing. Thank you Bald and Alinchek! You showed us something the world would never have seen if not for your ingenuity and determination.
My grandfather used to drive across Russia for motorbike events. So one time he was driving to Almaty and in the middle of nowhere suddenly there were train track. This was like a desert area as he describes it, no roads anywhere only lines in the sand from previous drivers. Everyone was obviously confused as no map they had showd any kind of structures in the area. A couple of minutes later they were found by quite angry military men and were detained in a huge base for a few hours while some general figured it out who exactly found this hidden base called Baikonur Cosmodrome. In total 5 bottles of premium vodka were lost and a strange story gained.
That's a great story, but Baikonur was anything but hidden or secret and, having been to the area myself, to be stopped by guards you have to deliberately turn off the main road and drive towards big installations and buildings that are clearly military or industrial in nature and visible from far away.
I was thinking the same thing. They could be making some money out of that. The actual pad where the first human left the planet to go into space...loads of people would visit that.
I tracked this place down on Google Earth and it looks like there may be some sort of visitors center due south of this hangar. There is even a shuttle sitting outside.
Since you were probably the first to be arrested at the site you were charged a nominal fine. But if people get inspiration and turn out in hordes they will start minting money. Jokes apart, a big salute to both of you. Walking 30 kilometers through the desert in pitch-black darkness is commendable. One has to have courage, willingness, and desire to achieve the target. Thank you million times. You are and were always very different from the others in your presentation, with love for the USSR era, and a hint of affection for Communism or socialism. Keep up the good job my friend. Love and more affection from Kolkata, India.
@Z3U5 How does "Lal Selam" come here? This was purely a travel-related communication and the presenter's love and affection for the erstwhile USSR. I grew up before USSR became extinct and I must admit I do have a soft corner for that country without knowing the realities there. But the thought of a socialist country is like dream to many who try to think for the people.
Well done the FSB. I'm sure they must understand that your 'visit' was an act of recognition for the USSRs contribution to Space Exploration, from which all of humanity has benefitted. And thank you both, for the video. It is important to remember that human progress is something everyone from everywhere has contributed to.
Sadly, the entire western media complex has become weapon against humanity as a whole demonizing entire swaths of people. Just a reminder one world government is here to stay. Being looted of our property, currency, soverignty and our very lives by a technocratic elite run by UN / IMF world bank as they "build better worlds" over the graves of those chosen for tax payer funded NATO gen o cide.
Best one yet, perfect personification of a modern day adventurer. Well done to Alina, she’s like a human Swiss Army knife! Does it all with nails done and sports wear… nice one guys. Fascination with soviet history continues.
I've followed you long before you celebrated 30.000 subscribers. This was definitely a peak Bald and Bankrupt moment! I got tears when I saw you made it to the spaceship. Epic. Bravo, Ben.
As a Kazakh viewer, it's awesome to see that you finally decided to visit our country! I'd welcome you with open arms in my hometown of Atyrau, there's a lot of foreigners here because of oil companies
i have family in SriLanka, and I visited a few times. lowkey, srilanka has so many similarities with kazakhstan its wild lmfao. I live in vancouver rn but my teacher was talking abt how she visited Kazakstan awhile back and how its underrated.
This guy is my hero! I mean, being caught by Russian military during a war, "alongside female companion????? He is the coolest guy ever. A living proof that we do not need the big networks anymore. Thanks you very much, Ben. Thanks a lot!
Man, the former USSR just has so many cool spots like this. This reminds me of Chernobyl. So many formerly populated areas like this abandoned by people for so long and still bearing some semblance of what it used to be. There's a great sense of adventure stumbling upon stuff like this. I once found some old radio tower building in the middle of a forest with my friend and it felt like this. These places don't need to be tourist attractions. They're time capsules.
Yes, there is the space organisations. There is the Navy submarines. There is the nuclear ice breakers. There is the trains. There are huge sport stadiums. There is so much the former CCCP can be proud of, for many many people, CCCP years were good years. Please remember this.
@@giordanfreitas1904 history isn't always good, but it's history. And I've seen enough footage of Chernobyl to know its a very interesting and unique place
Bald I’ve watched everything you’ve put out over the years but this has topped them all, seeing those shuttles in the hanger genuinely gave me goosebumps. This is the coolest thing a TH-camr has ever done
No one has done more for promoting a positive wiev of the most intresting parts of former soviet countries than Ben. The people he meets all the love he recives from all the babushkas and online on his fantastic adventures. Anywhere he goes anyone can watch his channel and see its 100% positive vibes.
Yeah, who knows. Maybe someday he'll even take the requisite time and record some video of the content he reports on. I bet you his VIEWERSHIP would go through the roof! Until then, I guess we'll all have to settle for whatever "wiev" he gives us!
@@hippiemuslim Hrmm, I donno. Might have something to do with $50 in Kazakhstani tenge equals 23893.75 KZT and the average month wage for a Kazakhstani is 387,000 KZT... So basically you're asking a citizen of the country to spend 2 days worth of wages to see some old ass rusty tin can that used to be in space. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a shit decision to make when given the choice. But hey, apparently there IS a market for it considering the fact YOU just said what you did.
@@hippiemuslim Because apparently he trespassed an international border... even if he was technically still in Kazakhstan the area they visited politically belongs to Russia. I love Bald's vids but this time he probably pushed the boundary a bit too far. I mean, he is a Brit citizen and a famous personality around the World and that's probably one of the major reasons nothing serious happened... but imagine what could have happened if just an ordinary nobody from Kazakhstan or former USSR did the some thing (except for Alina, she was with him)? Pretty sure it wouldn't have been just a 50 bucks matter!
My heart skipped a beat when you first showed the shuttle. I didn't think you would succeed 😀 Sad to see it in such a state though. This is such an important part of recent history and it is just left there to rot 😞
I think a lot of people would love to go there, but sadly I don't think the proceeds from tourism is enough to secure old and rusty metal contraptions enough to make it safe.
Mate this really was bald and bankrupt extreme. Genuinely real edge of your seat stuff throughout.
An amazing pay-off to an incredible video - though sad to see the fate that befell the Buran. Glad you guys got away from the authorities safely!
YOOOOO HI
It's the man who visited all 47 prefectures!
yall should do a video together
OMG its mr affable himself!
Hope we get "Journey Across Japan - Escape to a japanese Spaceport" soon. Love your content Chris
Taking a bus to the middle of nowhere, walking 30 km across a desert, stumbling upon one of the greatest Soviet relics and then taking a 50 buck MVD taxi to a closed off city. Just a regular day in a Soviet adventurer's life.
Didn't mean to be boring too much but just to make it clear :)
MVD where M stands for Ministry (Министерство). V is for Internal (Внутренние). And D is for Affairs (Дела). So its MVD or you would call it Ministry of internal Affairs. It's a regular police actually.
adventurizer*!
Yeah that sink was indeed a stunning relic
Walks 30 km like it’s nothing, you can see he was trained for this 😂
@@promontorium Even just a rusty old sink is interesting to me. They probably aren't made anymore, pretty rare.
I love how he is sneaking into a restricted military area and he is like “guys, look! A Soviet sink!”
i guess they... threw a kitchen sink into it
🤣
Soviet sinks have a long history in Bald and Bankrupt videos.
Let that sink in!
He loves Soviet sink
After watching the final Soviet episode, this feels even more poetic. Like the culmination of the all the years of traveling the former USSR. The most grand payoff. The true ultimate relic of past glory. The embodiment of all you’ve sought out. It’s truly been a pleasure to watch
Couldn't have said it better myself.
this is what got him banned right?
What an insane adventure, enjoyed every single second of this 40 minute gem. Mindblowing!
me too! never a boring second in his videos..or yours! 😁
Hi Peter!
OMG , pppeter i just discovered your channel recently and thought it reminded me a bit of bald and bankrupt and came to the conclusion that your youtubing must of been influenced a bit by him. this has just confirmed.
love your videos btw
*just confirmed it
Well doen mr. Bond and Bankrupt
This is literally one of the greatest pieces of content ever produced on YT like it should get an award.
Agreed!
You should see the one where he goes to Lunik 9, the Romani slum in Slovakia
It should sure get an award for stupidity and arrogance. 30 km walk with almost no supplies, tough terrain, no cover, there could have been sensors, landmines, high fences with barbed wire, guard dogs at large, sentries with orders to shoot on sight.............. that is how it was back in the Cold War era of the 20th century............ but I guess this is now the TH-cam era of the 21st century............. so they were released after a few hours with a small fine................ it could have been 20 years in the gulag............ but I do admit the 2 of them pulled off the biggest "spaceport tourism" visit ever.
There’s no Netflix, Amazon etc company that could make me engrossed like that did. I can’t even imagine what the off camera struggles where like. Best video on TH-cam. By a mile.
best TH-camr around.
You're legendary.
I've watched you for a long time now and this was definitely the peak (so far). My jaw was on the floor seeing history, it's a shame they won't at least make a museum out of it. Amazing documentary!
I was thinking exactly the same, and why Russians guard and pay annually for that place
@@caracallacz I heard Russians shoot their satellites of from their that’s why they pay annually
My jaw dropped as I’m typing this wtf man this man is crazy
There's a museum like, 2km away from the building they were in
Yea, if you go to Google maps, you can see the museum really close to the hangar, with a Buran displayed outside.
Your content never disappoints. Thank you from your biggest fan in California! Your taste in umbrellas is impeccable. 😁
You paid $50.00 to say that and i got to reply for free.
Mate i need 50 for weed. Hook a brother up :)
Bald and bankrupt is the man on the moon!
@@DavInBritain not quite he couldn't figure out the launch codes. 😊
Thomas the Tank train! EPIC!
Mate. This was the greatest film of all time. This needs to go into TH-cam’s hall of fame if they ever make one. Legend! 🚀
Hey Johnny! 35:24 I was thinking of you when Bald said "well one thing we've learned today is that it's easier visiting a spaceship than the space church". No dodgy burgers or gopnik dogs either! Cheers and hope you're doing well.
Preach🙌🙌
True. It was a crazy adventure and the real deal. We can see how emotionally rewarding it was for them to. That even alone contributes alot to this film. The passion is real. Thats why we love them.
For sure Johnny, for sure.
It doesnt get any better than this on youtube. Thats my very honest opinion.
After discovering you were arrested and essentially banished from Russia, as reported own on your Sept 1 video, I figured it must be because of this video of the Buran. I have to say that this video tops any content on TH-cam, bar none. I was gobsmacked when you turned the camera onto that space relic, only because I always believed it was nothing more than a concept and never built. You have balls brother, and I truly admire your work.
Thanks! I am really jealous of you and your adventures! You motivate me to start my own. Hope this small pittance will help cover you and your lovely friends fine. Love and respect from Cleveland, Ohio USA.
Here is a small contrib to your fines . This video is so awesome , your craziest exploration clip yet! :) Thank you both for the effort. Hope you both and fidel the cat is doing well.
@@babsch837 that's actually close to only 10 euros, I think 😅
@@babsch837 it’s Swedish Krona :) 100kr is approximately about 10€
@@babsch837 oh! I feel dumb now 😂
@@babsch837 hopefully Bald passes it forward when he travels
Yeah it'll go to some babushka in the end
This is probably your most epic video to date Bald - staggering how you find these places and bring them to the world via this channel. We are all richer for your experiences
I salute your words sir
Definitely the best video yet. Such a shame that Russia doesn't take more pride in it's previous soviet (peaceful) achievements. Those spacecraft deserve to be preserved in a museum.
Finding it is easy, there are several sites that show coordinates of military bases, the difficult thing is to get there and even more to enter them.
it really highlights how instantaneous, and unexpected, the collapse was
Bolivian cartel adventures was epic too :)
After checking out Lana Sator, for those who haven’t seen, she was arrested in Albania and being charged with espionage. Her photographs and stories are incredible and extremely informative, especially for those with an affinity for USSR history. As someone with a history and interest in exploring satellite imagery all across Russia, seeing photographs up close and personal is a surreal experience.
Although unfortunate, it can be understood why the Albanian government is concerned over finding a Russian photographer deep in an abandoned military base. I do believe she never had any ill intent, simply chasing after her passion. Her photographs are truly priceless and I hope everything works out for her in the end.
How ironic that only a few weeks after B&B runs into a bit of trouble, Lana also falls into similar circumstances (albeit much worse). Stay safe out there!
Noob question, Lana isn’t the girl that’s in this video is it? They look similar but I have no idea. Thanks
Whether Bald is chatting up grandmothers on a bus.....or taking us on an adventure like this, his channel is the best on TH-cam.
100$ is the price for foreigners. 15-20$ is more than enough. When I traveled to Buran with illegal tourist group, we have been pay 100$ for small bus and a local scout, who delivered us to Buran building across military patrols.
You are not Mark Twain, but like him, You Speak The Truth!
From an "old Soviet sink" to "old Soviet spaceship", you have come a long way buddy. Watching you since you were 20 k!!
exactly!!💯
True, and same for me
same
Space might be the final frontier..but it's made in a Hollywood basement...sleep well
The irony is that Bald’s content will never go bankrupt. Every video is worth the wait and is the most entertaining.
Yeah, he sould change the name of the channel to "Bald and Soviet"
He’s been captured and cloned…this isn’t the real Ben. It’s a Russian cyborg programmed to infiltrate and capture western secrets, he uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to download his stored information to a secret computer hidden in Lenin’s casket. Once his mission is complete he will self destruct in a chosen city rumoured to be Lichfield in Staffordshire. All this information was obtained using French espionage from the NorthFace database, who are cooperating with the Russians and created his blue armoured jacket with prototype hand warmers inside. You’ve been warned. If I go missing it was Ben
the bald part is not very ironic though
I could feel your excitement when you finally got it. Wow Ben, fantastic video. Loved it.
He makes his money pretty much in the first 4 minutes 😆
This a certified bald classic right here: Crossing a desert in total darkness, stumbling upon a soviet sink, breaking into the cosmodrome, seeing the Buran with your own eyes, getting "arrested" by authorities and getting to see the town of Baikonur. What an adventure from start to finish. Cheers to you both
soviet sink > two burans
The only thing I'd say you forgot was "running" into Alina in the middle of nowhere. I love that it's become some little gag.
@@OfftheWallTales Yes, I'm amazed by the coincidences with you two, especially when you found her taking a leak in an abandoned farmyard miles from anywhere and halfway through your journey, then waiting for the same goods train across the Sahara. It must be because your fans have described your posts as "magic".
@@capcompass9298 Clearly they are so connected on a spiritual level, they always find each other without even trying. Hahaha it's always fun to see how he'll just 'find' her- at a cafe? Taking a wee outside? Who knows!
Certified Bald Classic lmao
Got chills when you said “This is peak Bald and Bankrupt, this is peak Soviet, this is peak everything”. Thank you, I have learned so much about that land through your travels and brilliant insight. This channel is a treasure!
Exactly! I can't even imagine what would surpass this!
Peak Soviet brain power? This was a copy of stolen US brain power. 😊
honestly my favorite youtuber, the best content out there even tv doesn't have a bald, were so lucky
@@IcelanderUSer and the US used Nazi German brain power. The real question is, where did the Nazis get their knowledge? Seek and you may be surprised what you find.
I actually felt emotional when he said "This is peak Bald and Bankrupt, this is peak Soviet, this is peak everything” this channel has been there for me through so many hard times in recent years, and brought me a sense of excitement and joy when I didn't have much else going for me. I feel like we've all been on this grand adventure together and it's so bittersweet knowing this may be one of the last new videos. So thank you Bald, for the good times, and for the community! За верных друзей !
When the camera panned over revealing that they managed to get to the Buran, I didn’t expect to actually feel the emotion but I did
Sorry to hear you have hard times, from one stranger to another, hope your life gets easier and you, and to all here, find permanent happiness.
We all are on this journey together! Don’t forget that you aren’t alone. Reach out to anyone on here if you need someone to talk to. I’m sure we are all mostly friends here. Goodluck with your personal journey!
One of these days I think I'm just gnna rebinge Bald. I just thought about the one where he was biking around, bought a bottle of vodka and climbed a Soviet tower.
Offcourse you are welcome
This is by far the best explore you’ve done. Conor Clyne and many others were quick to mock you when word got around you’d been detained, and they all
Assumed you’d been caught trying to get in.
Little did they know that you two actually got in, had a snooze, and still got pretty much the best abandoned footage of anything ever.
Incredible.
People with zero balls always mock the people attempting to achieve things. It makes them feel better about themselves.
@@baldandbankrupt Quite right sir. Still can't quite believe what you achieved in this video. Outstanding
@@baldandbankrupt Honestly, I'm blown away by your whole trip. It almost felt like a hero's journey. And that you actually got to see it in all its crystalline soviet glory-the craftsmanship, the science, the tragic decay; I mean, when could one ever grasp at the clutches of fate to behold such an opulent, regal, and shimmeringly resplendent sink like that again?
@@baldandbankrupt did you have a compass to nav?
Bald's achievements are something that many can dream of. Not even the sky's the limit for this deadly duo (Ben/Alina).
Hail the Gods of Soviet Adventure 🙇♂️
This is peak youtube. Ben and Alena's content is beyond epic. Showing amazing places that 99% don't know even exist. Thank you both.
I learn more from this channel about the Soviet Union than I ever learned in any textbooks while in school.
99% in america
@@centerp1ece are you jealous of her ? don't be so rude, i hope she's in more of his content
Hey Bald,thank you for inspiring me to travel and learn Russian.I just wanted to tell you that I am on a “Soviet adventure” in Armenia and yesterday went hunting for that pioneer camp in spitak.Took a selfie from the diving board of the indoor swimming pool just like you did😇 .Love and respect from one of your 3% women subscribers 😊
Awesome! Glad you found it!
Love this 👌🏼
Keep up the epic exploration!
Hey I’m one of his female subscribers too btw! 😂
@@rob-fb5xs Go watch Vagrant Holiday 1-5 if you enjoy bald you'll like Vagrant Holiday.
Only 3%? Wow 🤣
I genuinely gasped when you showed the Buran in the hangar...absolutely incredible. Thank you!
Nothing will top this Bald! When you both entered the hangar and got your first glimpse at the Buran, I think that's one of the best moments I've seen on TH-cam. Insane to think of the engineering that went into making that thing - probably one of the greatest achievements of humanity to date, and heartbreaking to see it rotting away in a desert, caged up with scrap metal.
Let’s be clear... they stole the plans from the Americans. The Soviets did most things first in space ... but credit where it is due ... Buran was American.
It shows how shortlived the things are modern humans create. 3 decades ago this was a place of peak human technology, 30 years no maintenance and it´s just a decaying wasteland. And the spaceport itself is still in use afaik.
I definitely could not have thought they would make it that far. I thought they'll just turn around in the morning.
@@hansoerteras3983 it shows how truly ephemeral we are. capable of the greatest and worse things, all of which will be lost in time.
This was one of those videos where I thought "oh, they're never going to make it", or "there's no way inside there", or "definitely gonna get captured before they get there", and then they actually MADE IT IN! Not only did they make it in, but the seconds from 33:00 are just breaktakingly emotional and rather sad. Easily one of the best... well done, Bald & Alina!
yh for sure, thats what made it so exciting.
Agree!! I usually read comments before watching the video to have a glimpse of what the audience had reacted. But this time, I watched the video first and it was worth it! After I watched the video, I scroll through the comments and Im so happy that I shared my emotion with other viewers. We have the same sentiments!
I appreciate that, while sneaking into a military area and almost at his goal, he takes the time to check out the old soviet sink. Classic.
I could imagine him getting caught because he went to look at an old soviet sink
@@bigfudge2031 The real mystery for me was what the heck was the sink doing in the middle of nowhere?
@@RemyCT63 just another sink hole
Bald is the only vlogger i rewatch videos years later. They still seem unique and educational. What an adventure. Wild.
Im at a loss here honestly, dont know how to express this. The things youve done and shown us from the corners of the earth is one of the greatest things that has happened on the internet. This entire channel, Benjamin. Incredible.
Much agreed! I'm not sure how to express it either! 🥲
Then you will love watching Shiey and Anton too
@@rizkydeshanda4235 I've begun watching Shiey recently! he is next gen bald and bankrupt lol. Still, nobody does it like Benjamin.
Agreed Sir. I started watching about two years ago and absolutely loved his Indian adventures. Little did I know back then that an amazing Soviet adventure awaited me!
$100 for a Russian Uber rather than walking 30km back sounds like a real bargain. It was hard not to get emotional when I first saw the tail fin peeking around the iron bars. So glad you were able to document this (and keep the SD card) - it really is peak Soviet, peak Bald, peak everything. Fantastic work and we're all glad you made it back in one piece.
On god my jaw dropped when I saw the aircraft after what they had to pull and go through. Totally worth it!
I would have had an SD card duplicator and copied the card to another card hidden on my person. So if they erased the camera, you still have the video on the other card.
Complete opposite for me. The shuttle looked like crap but that’s to be expected from the soviets.
@@KaiserVonKrieg It's in pretty good shape for something so old surprised they didn't destroy it.
This is clearly 100 per cent genuine. You two are so amazing. I can't believe you far you go to bring us 100 per cent authentic content and solid adventures. Absolultely blow away, there ia nothing like this channel. All i can say is - WOW
Not a single question in my mind that you do all this for real. Thank you so much for everything you bring, Wow
This was one of the most insane YT videos I've seen. Can't believe you actually managed to get into that place and film inside of it. It's incredible to see stuff like that that's complety lost in time
hey TBAG
Crazy seeing you here, dude.
Jij ook hier?
Misschien leuke collab doen met bald
That's amazing in itself but the fact that the Russian military essentially gave them a ride to the nearest hotel is nuts to me.
Not matter where you are, what situation you are facing, whatever consequences might be ahead, you ALWAYS have to admire the pure sight of a Soviet SINK!
I know! When I saw that sink I knew it was a good omen! How crazy was that?
I paused video and laughed my ass off
When he turned that sink over and it made a crunching ground sound the subtitles said [Music]
That was such an amazing highlight of the video
What amazing serendipity! Imagine traveling 30 km on foot through a dark desert and Bald finds an abandoned soviet sink in the middle of nowhere. Epic!
I felt so emotional when alinchick, was up that ladder, and revealed the spaceshuttle for the first time. Risking your lives for this entertainment was quite a gift to us. Thank you!
Alinchik is the true hero of the video. Such a brave, strong and hot girl
Glad that she made it out of Russia
"You're OK, go on."
No, that "ladder" could have broken at any time... They got lucky. This could have ended very badly indeed
@@dogchaser520 I felt the same, as someone who has fallen from a ladder and broke 3 limbs , it was close to my heart, but it was indeed worth it.
This was going along well then Alina appeared out of nowhere, and made the whole thing better. Seems whenever Ben has something daring to do she will show up. You two make a fearless , but fun team!
Alina showing up is a standing joke in bald videos. Clearly they traveled together but she is hidden from view until the Alina grand reveal.
@@rorywilliams5131 Clearly!
Wow. I froze in my seat, didn't dare to blink, stopped breathing here and there and felt the FSB right behind my back. What an epic adventure. Thanks to both of you for showing us these incredible marvels of space history!!!
That's how all of us live here in Russia unfortunately. Always scared to say our opinion (online and offline) :(((((
It's genuinely very touching how emotional you both are when you finally see the Buran. Congratulations both! Great persistence
you are great! I don't know any woman as brave as Alina ! This one is one of the best ever videos on youtube !
This is absolutely the craziest and coolest thing you’ve ever done. It’s a shame that it’s fallen in such disrepair but thanks for getting in and letting us get our eyes on some of this crazy history.
the midnight train thru Africa was pretty wild...
You always seem to amaze me brother! Love to see you, and Alina on all these crazy adventures around the world. Keep up the positive energy and if ever in the Netherlands I hope to share some beers with you (we got some really nice ones if I may say) All the best comrade!
If he ever comes here, take him to the Lenin statue of Zuidbroek and maybe the Soviet graves of Leusden and Texel.
Soviets waren bezetters en geen bevrijders. Hij zou naar de Poolse graven moeten komen in Noord-Brabant. Veel mensen weten niet hoeveel Polen hun leven hebben gegeven in de hoop in hun eigen land een vrije democratie te krijgen. Wat ze kregen was een communistische tiran genaamd Stalin en opvolgers die Polen nog eens meer dan 40 jaar bezetten en leegroofden. Vergeet niet dat het Stalin was die het Ribbentrop pact sloot met Hitler. Sovjet soldaten zijn nooit bevrijders geweest, enkel de nieuwe bezetters die als beesten te keer ging tegen de bevolking.
Ik ben Belgisch en ik moet toegeven mij pa houdt heel erg van de Nederlandse bier 🍺
@@hakimitchi1518 ik mag jouw pa nu al!
Alinchik is an absolute trooper. This, along with the both of you having to sleep in the car on a mountain overnight, is so incredibly cool. It’s awesome that you have such a worthy travel buddy. Love the content!
They gotta be bangin man theres no way they arent
@@BuckingFuffalos69 saying what everyones thinking XD
@@BuckingFuffalos69 They are 100% banging
Any asshole can sleep in a car. Alina is the best.
Also the time they slept on a roofless train in an african desert
Epic peak of Bald and Bankrupt. Best of the best content. This was something never seen or heard before. Thank you very much for doing this for us.
Hands down the best B&B episode. Pushing things to the next level!
When Alina shows up, you know its gonna be a good video 😂 She always joins on the craziest adventures!
She's a keeper for sure.
This has got to be one of the best TH-cam vids...ever. Most other travel vloggers are bland and unentertaining in comparison. Alinchick as Bald's sidekick is superb. I feel inspired !
She’s one hell of sidekick!! Def matches your energy and dedication! Props to her!
Wow. This truly is Peak Bald and Bankrupt. Thanks for showing us something that I don’t think we would see anywhere else. Sad that both Buran are not in a museum somewhere and instead left to rot in a hanger.
Actually a lot of youtubers have explored it. Its an amazing destination.
@@lostpony4885 Yeah, it kind of IS in a museum. It just takes a bit of effort to get there.
FACTS
@@athaphian Sadly, it would be good if it was kept in good condition and offered tours, people would have paid to see this.
@@D33Lux exactly. They would genuinely make a lot of money if they turned it into a museum and sold tickets.
Ben, thank you for your whole channel. The best thing on TH-cam, this video is the pinnacle of all of your content. I’ve watched every single one of your videos and also felt emotional watching you discover the Buran. You deserved that moment. Well done to you and Alina.
Why did you pay £1.79 to comment 😐
@@coupedegrace8931 inflation
Never heard of supporting content creators James?
@@coupedegrace8931 why didn’t you pay 1.79 to comment?
Sad
I would like to say that while every B&B video is a gem of its own, this video has got to be among the best and most unique adventures i've ever seen. I find both his willpower and adventurous spirit to be absolutely inspiring. It almost feels like a movie that just keeps you wondering if they're gonna make it or get caught, all the while learning about fascinating soviet history, with a happy ending and a hilarious outcome. Thank you Ben for all your effort and for uploading your amazing content!
Well said. I actually was almost happy with them getting into the outer buildings, but to see them getting up the ladder and into the main hanger, that was the icing on the cake
Yeah, this is right up there with the Ekranoplan video, perhaps even higher. Too bad the An-225 was destroyed in this stupid war, a video on seeing it up close would have been perfect to complete the holy trinity of Soviet engineering.
Out of all your videos following the wingspan of living history in the former USSR, from Chernobyl to the Gulags of Siberia, this really felt the most like being in history. I think the pictures someone left of football and the in-flight Buran in their locker left me in as big an awe as the actual hangar with the spaceshuttles. It's so jawdropping how it's just been left standing, not polished up with thousands of guides, signs and tours. It's like you're visiting the Soviet times physically. And standing on the roof pointing to the place where Gagarin left earth for space is fucking crazy and pretty much the pinnacle for this channel. I'm happy for you Ben!
Ben you are a legend! American space shuttles are kept in nice shiny museums and visited by millions while The Buran rusts away, all but forgotten in the middle of nowhere. It looks very post apocalyptic and would make a great setting for a horror movie.
Thanks for tracking down this relic and sharing your adventure.
Nobody seems to have visited this place for TH-cam in four or five years and you made it the most realistic and exciting by far. Thank you for showing every aspect of what it takes to share this site with us and not just the site itself. I always plan trips to places that will have lots of things to do once there. The amount of time and effort it took to show us just this one thing is astounding.
@kreosan Did.
Wow! This is so special.
As an engineer, I had goosebumps when you first went into the hangar, close to the machines. It is a damn shame that this marvel of human achievement is left to rot in the middle of nowhere.
I am Indian, and the only Indian national to have gone to space blasted off from Baikonur on a Soyuz, back in the Soviet era. This is such a special place.
Why are you lying? You’re not Rakesh Sharma lol
@@boofingenthusiast bruh he's just saying the only indian to go to space took off from baikonur, not that he was him.
So special for me also! The first Bulgarian to be into space blasted from Baikonur at 1979, the year i was born... Best wishes from Bulgaria!
@@blyat3422 I read it the same also. Unfortunate phrasing.
THAT'S EPIC!!!
Bold and Bankrupt should get an international recognition for what he has done with his travel videos.
Bald is one of the best storytellers... I've never seen a storytelling History video that good on TH-cam. Congrats
Best English youtuber by far
Wow wow wow. I mean honestly Ben, even by your standards you've outdone yourself with this one. Like you said, this is peak Bald and Bankrupt. I was thrilled the entire way, and the payoff was out of this world...literally! You are a credit to TH-cam and to modern journalism and I'm so grateful that you put in the effort to bring us these videos. Thank you!
You absolute legends, I was buzzing when you actually got inside and found the shuttle. Incredible stuff. Talk about never give up. Alenchik is made of steel too. Well done.
Literally cried when they found the ship. The fuck is wrong with me haha. It was like my inner child achieved his dream. Thank you so much for doing this. This was the pinnacle.
I guarantee when meeting the Russian Internal Police, the amount of respect you had in conversation for such an amazing piece of history like the Buran is what got you off practically scot-free, it was genuinely an art piece this video.
Flying machines have no nationality. RIP Mriya.
@@shoeby9273 only that of physics
Probably the fact he was able too speak their language was why
@@cdoobs6763 Yeah the language and having a pretty lady with him too, both charming the police
Bald was in media before summer about this video. He explained its not a crime to enter where he did. You just need a permission. He entered without getting the permission. So since its not a crime, he was not arrested. Check daily mail and you will see.
I got kind of emotional when they managed to get into the building and I could see the fin of the spacecraft. I was thinking, damn, Bald did it. This was really the culmination of Bald's soviet adventures. The Soviet Space Program was the height of the USSR's accomplishment so I can see why this was so important for Bald to visit/explore this area. Actually the biggest surprise to me in all of this is that Bald & Alana got off with a small fine; no jail time. I was thinking it was likely that Bald would have been thrown out out of Kazakhstan and banned from entering the country again, along with Russia. Just a hunch but I think the fact that Bald speaks Russian, is a good conversationalist, and having Alana with him helped the situation. This might be Bald's best video so far because of the risk/magnitude of it and he managed to achieve his goal.
Yeah he could easily have been detained in Russia for a prisoner exchange like what happened to Brittany Griner...
What about when he took the cable cars up into the Andes and the cartel showed up on enduro bikes and took his passport? “Time for a coca break!”
I imagine they catch people in there quite alot, not a serious thing there's other on youtube who have done this
Phenomenal video
@@-jank-willson Well he does speak russian and it also helps that she is Belarussian. Different what media nowadays make you want to believe, russians are not that bad or stupid.
This was the most daring and entertaining video that Ben has ever created. He really stretched himself beyond his limits in this one. But sadly this felt like a finale episode of Bald and Bankrupt.
True.I bloody cried at the very first sight of the ship🥲
@@Cma2506
Yes, I got emotional.
Y'all don't think the local authorities knew about this the whole time and arranged to meet them as they came out?
@@srt4b nope
@@srt4b glad im not the only one who thought this.
Possibly one of the most astonishing videos on YT. Not only for the Space ship. but for the fact Alina walked 30k across the desert at night , wearing a Tshirt and shorts, and always has a smile. not only does Russia buld incredible train stations , it bulds incredible fearless and inspiration people too. . An epic ending to your Russian adventures Ben . you sure went out on a High note . spasibo.!!
As everyone is already saying, I haven’t watched something THAT EPIC on TH-cam in a very very long time. Thanks for taking us on that ride, what a blast!
I can't recall that American youtuber where he gets lost in a jungle in Congo, trades a crocodile for a shelter in a remote tribal village and is later deported from the country as the governor thinks he's a spy. No one goes to Congolese jungles.
Another one is a Russian channel "The people". He too is into such adventures.
@@ayushsaxena7770 If you happen to find the Congo video, let me know. Sounds very interesting.
This was the most epic journey I’ve ever seen, the feeling of relief when you guys made it to the space shuttle was amazing
I was honestly worried they wouldn’t get to it since I knew they got arrested there. I’m glad they at least got to see it before they got caught lol. Won’t lie though I was thinking the whole time that the ladder was probably what got them caught. I can imagine some guard walking by like wtf 😂.
This video is one of the reasons why Bald and Bankrupt has become the legend of TH-cam !
He said exactly what I was thinking when we saw the spaceship, peak balk and bankrupt. Benjamin goes above and beyond for his content and I love him for it. You 2 are hard-core explorers!
Really cool seeing you unite with Alina again for an epic adventure!
Epic journey, love how positive Alina stayed thru all of this arduous trip...
Alina is for sure a true trooper. What a girl!
This was hands down the best video I've seen all year. I freaking love everything Ben does. No matter if it's buying "Babushkas Secrets" at a random soviet train station or walking 30km through a desert to break into a soviet spacecraft hangar. Just brilliant.
Haha at 5:36 he's reading another magazine called "Babushka's Jam"
This is really phenomenal. This guy has raised the bar with this. He is like the Pele of TH-cam content creators.
Man this is the best video you ever made. I've always wanted to visit that area and see where some of the most epic moments of the space race happened. It's so sad that it isn't open to the public. Just thanks so much for going through that crazy journey to show us this. I know you're talking about giving up youtube, but I hope this is far fromm the last adventure we'll go on.
I love how Alina just happens to pop up in the strangest remote locations. An amazing coincidence!
Almost makes me think you gave forethought and advance planning to these adventures instead of just walking out your home and saying "What's next?".
Yeah its almost like they're married or something
@@Elbowbanditest2003 wait really?
@@nubidubi23 Yes lol
@@PartyhatRS how do you know?
@@berkay5087 because he's said it in multiple videos
This kept me in suspense for so long. It looked like such a difficult journey. I have massive respect for the commitment you had and bravery. What a legendary view once you got to see all the history inside the abandoned buildings.
bro why didn't they just use bicycles lol instead of walking
@@falixxxxx did you see the terrain? It looked very bumpy and there were lots of holes in the ground. Not only would it be uncomfortable to ride a bike in those conditions, but it would also draw more attention.
Benjamin brother, followed you from the very start. Be very proud of your videos. You took us on a journey that no other TH-camr has quite managed to do so. Don’t let this be the last of it
Seeing those two space shuttels just standing there untouched for decades in complete silence must be one of the most "wow" moments anyone could have dreamt of. It is both amazing and oddly disturbing at the same time. Great job Bald!
Actually, I thought the fifty buck fine at the end was even more "wow".
@@TheNameOfJesus I thought about that. I guess they don't really care that much because they don't think most people would be willing to walk 30km through the desert and dodge the patrols. They probably sealed it up more now, too.
@@jimdandy8119 The 3 day prison sentence is probaly for people trying to acces the active areas where they have equipment actually in use, they probaly don't care much for this part
Bald and Bankrupt is now at legendary status! Alina is always a good travel companion, trekking across the barren landscape, not many woman are up for that. What an adventure!! You right, this one is the Peak. Well done 👍
Alina definitely earned her respect in this adventure!
not many man are up for that too. like, most men. like, you commenting on youtube and watching someone else do it.
This was beyond epic! Holy cow! It was exciting watching you find a way in, but as you turned the corner and the ship came into view, I literally got a chill. Dang! Your willingness to risk harm and arrest, and your dedication to doing this and bringing us with you is more than any other TH-camr I'm aware of. And Alina, OMG, your courage and sheer energy - wow! You're blessed to have each other, imho, and I'm a fan forever. I subscribed several years ago, and have been dropping everything as soon as one of your videos pops up ever since. Thank you so much for this!
You raised the benchmark with this video. Thoroughly enjoyed the thrill and the revelation towards the end. Both of you worked hard for this adventure hard and it paid off at the end. Cheers to the both of you, Benjamin and Alina. Looking forward to some more nailbiting adventures in the future.
Easily one of the best videos not only on this channel, but on all of TH-cam! The emotion when they got a glimpse of the Buran was amazing, felt like all of bald's adventures went into that moment. Sensational and inspiring!
This video is the creme de la creme! Priceless. Classic. Absolutely awesome. The Soviet mosaics, the desert hike with Thomas the Tank/Avenger umbrellas, the Soviet sink discovery and all the courageous adventurizing. Thank you Bald and Alinchek! You showed us something the world would never have seen if not for your ingenuity and determination.
Thanks!
My grandfather used to drive across Russia for motorbike events. So one time he was driving to Almaty and in the middle of nowhere suddenly there were train track. This was like a desert area as he describes it, no roads anywhere only lines in the sand from previous drivers. Everyone was obviously confused as no map they had showd any kind of structures in the area. A couple of minutes later they were found by quite angry military men and were detained in a huge base for a few hours while some general figured it out who exactly found this hidden base called Baikonur Cosmodrome.
In total 5 bottles of premium vodka were lost and a strange story gained.
total BS
bro why didn't they just use bicycles lol instead of walking
That's a great story, but Baikonur was anything but hidden or secret and, having been to the area myself, to be stopped by guards you have to deliberately turn off the main road and drive towards big installations and buildings that are clearly military or industrial in nature and visible from far away.
@@CatatonicImperfect yeah been there a few times nice place
did u drunk with them or just have them the vodkas :)
Just in awe of his female companion for being so brave and willing to commit to the adventure. She's a real keeper!!
She’s from Belarus though… tough girls..
Alin chick has always been a legend
Amazing.
She’s so cool
Shame they couldn't turn that space into some kind of museum. Love your stories! This one was epic!
I was thinking the same thing. They could be making some money out of that. The actual pad where the first human left the planet to go into space...loads of people would visit that.
@@IainInLondon I bet Russia thought no one would want that because of this whole Russia vs the West but I would 1000% go
It’s all still classified I guess. The soviet regime never opened up about its past still to this day because some of the old stuff is still used.
I tracked this place down on Google Earth and it looks like there may be some sort of visitors center due south of this hangar. There is even a shuttle sitting outside.
@@rvansteensel420 There's a shuttle on display just south of the hangar. Not sure who it is on display for, but it's there.
When you see content like this, you know that dude is worth every subscribe he has. It takes some courage to head on a venture like this.
Since you were probably the first to be arrested at the site you were charged a nominal fine. But if people get inspiration and turn out in hordes they will start minting money. Jokes apart, a big salute to both of you. Walking 30 kilometers through the desert in pitch-black darkness is commendable. One has to have courage, willingness, and desire to achieve the target. Thank you million times. You are and were always very different from the others in your presentation, with love for the USSR era, and a hint of affection for Communism or socialism. Keep up the good job my friend. Love and more affection from Kolkata, India.
Thanks a lot.
@Z3U5 How does "Lal Selam" come here? This was purely a travel-related communication and the presenter's love and affection for the erstwhile USSR. I grew up before USSR became extinct and I must admit I do have a soft corner for that country without knowing the realities there. But the thought of a socialist country is like dream to many who try to think for the people.
Now try the active Russian space side, they probaly didnt care much as this is all the old stuff they abadoned
There are organized tours sneaking into the hangar for years already.
@@anibch1
China and the USSR killed 100 million of their own citizens in the 20th century, I don't think that's anything to aspire to.
Well done the FSB. I'm sure they must understand that your 'visit' was an act of recognition for the USSRs contribution to Space Exploration, from which all of humanity has benefitted. And thank you both, for the video. It is important to remember that human progress is something everyone from everywhere has contributed to.
Sadly, the entire western media complex has become weapon against humanity as a whole demonizing entire swaths of people. Just a reminder one world government is here to stay. Being looted of our property, currency, soverignty and our very lives by a technocratic elite run by UN / IMF world bank as they "build better worlds" over the graves of those chosen for tax payer funded NATO gen o cide.
My guess is the people guarding this were just happy to get some money
@@autohmae bingo
I am never impressed with you tubers until now.
You have won my respect
Best one yet, perfect personification of a modern day adventurer. Well done to Alina, she’s like a human Swiss Army knife! Does it all with nails done and sports wear… nice one guys. Fascination with soviet history continues.
I've followed you long before you celebrated 30.000 subscribers. This was definitely a peak Bald and Bankrupt moment! I got tears when I saw you made it to the spaceship. Epic. Bravo, Ben.
Same here. This was a high point. Thank you Ben and Alina. Onward Soviet!
F***ing Amazing Ben, I couldn't believe you had found it but there it was! Alina is truly a good luck charm for you.
Heyyy me too mate❤❤❤
You didnt really get tears though.
As a Kazakh viewer, it's awesome to see that you finally decided to visit our country!
I'd welcome you with open arms in my hometown of Atyrau, there's a lot of foreigners here because of oil companies
Don't forget Dimash! 😁
All looks better than packed up Europe.
i have family in SriLanka, and I visited a few times.
lowkey, srilanka has so many similarities with kazakhstan its wild lmfao.
I live in vancouver rn but my teacher was talking abt how she visited Kazakstan awhile back and how its underrated.
@@honkhonk8009 I have family up in Vancouver, BC
This guy is my hero! I mean, being caught by Russian military during a war, "alongside female companion?????
He is the coolest guy ever. A living proof that we do not need the big networks anymore.
Thanks you very much, Ben. Thanks a lot!
Man, the former USSR just has so many cool spots like this. This reminds me of Chernobyl. So many formerly populated areas like this abandoned by people for so long and still bearing some semblance of what it used to be. There's a great sense of adventure stumbling upon stuff like this. I once found some old radio tower building in the middle of a forest with my friend and it felt like this. These places don't need to be tourist attractions. They're time capsules.
Yes, there is the space organisations. There is the Navy submarines. There is the nuclear ice breakers. There is the trains. There are huge sport stadiums. There is so much the former CCCP can be proud of, for many many people, CCCP years were good years. Please remember this.
Trust me.. Chernobyl isn’t cool lol
@@giordanfreitas1904 Have you ever been there?
@@giordanfreitas1904 history isn't always good, but it's history. And I've seen enough footage of Chernobyl to know its a very interesting and unique place
@@father0f4ll Chernobyl is mainstream ..
Bald I’ve watched everything you’ve put out over the years but this has topped them all, seeing those shuttles in the hanger genuinely gave me goosebumps. This is the coolest thing a TH-camr has ever done
I got the goosebumps too bruv.
You miss the episode where he was running from the cartel that burns people to death?
@@fisticuffs6767 what episode was what?? Holy shit?! 🤣
I dunno I've seen quite a few people go there before and they actually talked about the history more and gave a full inside tour.
This video left me speechless... the footage belongs in a museum. What an adventure! You are really living your best life.
Better than anything on TV. I’ve been subscribed for many years. Best channel on TH-cam without doubt.
No one has done more for promoting a positive wiev of the most intresting parts of former soviet countries than Ben. The people he meets all the love he recives from all the babushkas and online on his fantastic adventures. Anywhere he goes anyone can watch his channel and see its 100% positive vibes.
Yeah, who knows. Maybe someday he'll even take the requisite time and record some video of the content he reports on. I bet you his VIEWERSHIP would go through the roof! Until then, I guess we'll all have to settle for whatever "wiev" he gives us!
I mean, seriously, that launchpad should have been a tourist attraction, why fine people 50$ when you could Charge them 50$?
@@hippiemuslim Hrmm, I donno. Might have something to do with $50 in Kazakhstani tenge equals 23893.75 KZT and the average month wage for a Kazakhstani is 387,000 KZT... So basically you're asking a citizen of the country to spend 2 days worth of wages to see some old ass rusty tin can that used to be in space.
I don't know about you, but that sounds like a shit decision to make when given the choice. But hey, apparently there IS a market for it considering the fact YOU just said what you did.
I would agree with you .He's a very cool guy.
@@hippiemuslim
Because apparently he trespassed an international border... even if he was technically still in Kazakhstan the area they visited politically belongs to Russia. I love Bald's vids but this time he probably pushed the boundary a bit too far. I mean, he is a Brit citizen and a famous personality around the World and that's probably one of the major reasons nothing serious happened... but imagine what could have happened if just an ordinary nobody from Kazakhstan or former USSR did the some thing (except for Alina, she was with him)? Pretty sure it wouldn't have been just a 50 bucks matter!
My heart skipped a beat when you first showed the shuttle. I didn't think you would succeed 😀
Sad to see it in such a state though. This is such an important part of recent history and it is just left there to rot 😞
My heart skipped a beat when i saw aline chick
I think a lot of people would love to go there, but sadly I don't think the proceeds from tourism is enough to secure old and rusty metal contraptions enough to make it safe.