The story is written with mastery and a mature style. Your pen, like a fine violin, is capable to intercept the many notes of the human soul and their modulation through the life's seasons. The themes unfold through different plans and layers. It's worth mentioning that of the rooting in a place dense of memories. Sense of discovery, adventure, tragedy, impotence and stasis are all deeply intertwined together, combined with a touch of mystery. Perhaps it's an idealizing leap, but your ending reminded me of the Dubliners, by Joyce. - @f3nix
That's funny, it made me think of the Dubliners too at one point - I think the combo of snow falling and a reminder that we're all going to die someday will invariably do that.
It was a great story start and I wish I had the space to deal with every layer presented in it rather than only a few. I actually have some stuff about Arkhangelsk bookmarked from a year or two ago when I ran across a bunch of photos or reddit or imgur, I think it was a day-in-the-life post from a university student there. It's on my ever-growing list of places to see.