MOSCOW – A red Ferrari glides by as techno music blasts from fancy bars full of dressed-up revellers sipping ice-cold spritz.
The party is in full swing in Moscow’s posh Patriarch Ponds neighbourhood.
Even though Ukraine has recently intensified its drone attacks, aimed at the vibrant Russian capital, the wealthy Muscovites heading out for Friday night are barely bothered. “No-one cares,” said Kirill, a 27-year-old with a black beard and sunglasses. “People have too much work and too many worries to pay attention,” Kirill, who has a job in real estate, told AFP.
The city has been largely spared from the consequences of the large-scale offensive launched by president Vladimir Putin on Ukraine more than three years ago. Ukraine has been targeted by daily Russian bombardment.
Air raid sirens and strikes are part of normal life in Kyiv, where several attacks have killed people there in recent months.
Ukraine has launched hundreds of drones at Moscow over the past month, escalating its targeting of the Russian capital.
With most intercepted over the surrounding region, there has been little material damage, although one hit an apartment block in the city last week.
The skies above the capital are shut every time a barrage is launched, leading to regular disruptions to air traffic.
And deadly strikes are not unheard of. In March a massive attack on the city’s outskirts killed three people.
Ukraine’s air space has been completely closed since 24 February 2022 when Russia launched its offensive, sending troops across the border and firing volleys of missiles at Ukrainian cities. In Kyiv, Russian strikes regularly kill civilians. Residents take shelter during particularly intense bombardments.
But in Moscow, there are no air raid sirens and no rush to shelters when drones are detected. Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov has simply urged Russians to “try to remain calm” in the event of an attack.
“Panic always disorients,” he was quoted as saying by Russian media last week, noting the publication of brochures with “recommendations”.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin is busy preparing “Summer in Moscow”, a cultural and sporting programme.
– Nampa/AFP