New Metro Station Opening In Moscow

The new station is the 187th to be opened on Moscow's sprawling metro system. (file photo)

A new metro station – the Alma-Atinskaya – has opened on the Moscow metro system.

The station, which opened on December 24, is the 187th in the sprawling Moscow subway system and the 21st station on the Zamoskvoretskaya line.

The station is named in honor of army divisions formed in Kazakhstan during WWII that were sent to defend Moscow.

Alma-Ata, now called Almaty, was Kazakhstan's capital until 1997, when the seat of government was transferred to Astana.

Russian news agencies noted 19 new stations are planned to start operation in the Moscow metro system in 2013.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax