Vladikavkaz, a region in Southern Russia, is plagued by spring avalanches, so the army uses its heavy artillery to create smaller controlled avalanches which avoid Vladikavkaz's main highway.

Using ordnance for avalanche control is actually a fairly common technique around the world, including in the United States.

This is the best video we've seen of the practice, however, and it includes a bonus at the end when the avalanche tries to strike back!

Check it out after the jump.