Doomsday sect members, holed up in an underground dugout in central Russia since November, have dug two more caves, the Tvoi Den tabloid said on Wednesday.
Thirty-five members of the sect went underground in the Penza Region in November to await the end of the world, which they say will come in May.
Twenty-four members of the group surfaced in April after most of the shelter's roof collapsed following heavy rains. At least nine sect members are still underground. Two of their female companions are believed to have died and are buried in the cave.
The sect had initially planned to dig a total of 15 underground rooms, each for two or three dwellers, said a son of one of the sect leaders, Sergei Nedogon, who was in charge of the construction work.
However, Sergei has only hollowed out a further two dugouts in the forest. The first dugout had no roof, but the "second was fit to live in, although some work was needed," he said.
"I dug them alone," Sergei said, adding that he first started digging in June last year, and finished in September.
Later the cultists decided that the cave located 1.8 meters underground could hide Belarusian nationals who faced deportation for violating Russia's visa regime.
However, the shelter was flooded following thaw waters and heavy rain in the spring, he said adding: "By the summer everything will be dry and we will come here to pray."
The main cave, which became the shelter for the cultists since November, is said to have been divided into five cells, with one large 'room' set aside for prayers. The prayer room was also to be used for the eventual burial of the sect members.
