Only the most intrepid urban explorers cross the tattered ruins of the old Iron Curtain to endure the excessive bureaucracy, military paranoia and freezing winds of the East to hunt for the ghosts of an empire. Rebecca Litchfield is one who couldn’t resist the haunting allure of the ruins of the Soviet Union.

Kritchaya “Lolita” Boonhor (R) curls her eyelashes in ladyboy Candy's (L) room while she chats her about her boyfriend, in Bangkok, Thailand, 27 November 2017. Most things in life are a question of negotiation. Lolita is a woman, that was not to be negotiated. What needed to be negotiated was how she was perceived by those around her. And that negotiation was one that took time and effort. (Photo by Lola Levan/EPA/EFE)

The hair of CSKA Moscow cheerleaders flies high as they perform during the Euroleague Basketball game between Alba Berlin and CSKA Moscow in Moscow, Russia, 04 February 2022. (Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA/EFE)

British actress Jess Impiazzi on Sunday, February 5, 2023 has found reasons to smile again as she opens up about her strengthened relationship with footie ace Jermaine Pennant. (Photo by Olivia West/The Sun)

Peter Carberry riding Gabbys Cross falls off during the Randox Grand National Chase during day three of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse on April 15, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Kaia Gerber attends the LOVE Magazine LFW Party, celebrating issue 23 at The Standard, London on February 17, 2020 in London, England. LOVE magazine is welcoming Ben Cobb as Editor-In-Chief Men's, Graham Rounthwaite as Creative Director, and Oliver Volquardsen as Fashion Director. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for LOVE Magazine)

In this image released on April 18, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town perform “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” at the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards on April 18, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brent Harrington/CBS Handout via Reuters)

Fishmongers cut and clean fish at the Soumbedioune fish market in Dakar, Senegal, May 31, 2022. In Senegal, fish and seafood represent more than 40% of the animal protein intake in the diet. According to a U.S. report, one in six people work in the fisheries sector. (Photo by Grace Ekpu/AP Photo)