In pictures: Skating on Red Square

The ice rink, or "katok", has been set up by the company that runs the elegant GUM shopping arcade, on the east side of the square.

The company says it took 12 months to get permission from the authorities to set up the rink, outside its landmark late-19th Century building. In Soviet times GUM was Moscow's main department store.

Russians usually skate on frozen lakes and ponds - but they have not frozen over this year.