Drunk Russians cut off ears for bet

Two inebriated Russians in a Siberian mining region both cut off their own left ears after betting on the result of an arm wrestling contest, police said.

The men were drinking to celebrate Orthodox Christmas and held an armwrestling contest, agreeing that the loser had to cut off his ear, police reported in the southern Siberian Kemerovo region.

One of the men won the first bout, but his opponent insisted on a second round, which he won. The two men then decided that according to their rules, both must cut off their ears, police said.

"The men voluntarily cut off their left ears. One completely, and the other half off. They were hospitalised with these injuries," police said.

The men's drunken escapade echoed Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, who also cut off part of his left ear.