The 'Summer in Moscow' Distraction

Moscow’s Summer Music Festival “Zaryadye”

"I fell in love with Moscow with a renewed force."

"I didn't see a single homeless person, beggar, freak [on a walk in central Moscow]."

"The people were beautiful, stylishly dressed and sure of themselves. They were smiling."

"You could feel a sense of safety."

Oleg Torbosov, real estate agent, Moscow

 

"There cannot be such a feast at a time of war."

"People collect money and sew nets and socks [for soldiers]."

"People in Donetsk have no running water [in the Russian occupied territory in Ukraine]."

Mikhail Bocharov, economist

 

"There has been such a terrible separation -- many of my friends had to leave."

"But I am happy to stay in such a beautiful and comfortable city as Moscow has become recently."

Olga, Muscovite 

Employees work in the open kitchen of a restaurant in the Patriarch's Ponds neighbourhood in central Moscow, Russia July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov 

 

 

The Kremlin has gone all out to turn the Russian capital into a summer carnival to ensure that Muscovites have been right royally entertained, persuaded that life is good and summer means fun and enjoyment and Moscow is a wonderful place to live. This, of course, while the Russian army is relentlessly bombing another capital city; Kyiv, in Ukraine. Oh, that war, of course, that war. But it's summer, and a whole whack of government (taxpayers') money has been spent in beautifying Moscow.

 

Billions have been spent on this project to persuade Russians that there is nothing to concern them other than enjoying their summer and appreciating that their government has their welfare in mind, even while prosecuting a war that has made summer a living hell for those unfortunate enough to live in a country that Vladimir Putin has aspirations to disjoint, disable and destroy. Of course, to do so before Ukrainian neo-nazis march on Moscow to destroy it, first.

 

So, families, young people and old go along to city parks where there are wave pools and people imagine themselves to be living in a happy, wealthy, peaceful and comfortable country where the government has their best interests always in mind. A government that has launched an enterprise to enlarge its territory at the expense of another country, and in the process finds itself in deep war debt with an economy hit by sanctions crucifying its leadership for causing the dislocation, injury, and death of millions of people.

 

Muscovites are not to concern themselves over such trifling issues. Theirs is the opportunity to revel in the sun and the emotional warmth of a government with its people's best interests at heart. So go surfing in those pools, enjoy the lush green growth of the boulevards, play croquet, attend those fourteen open-air theatres where opera, drama and clowns can be enjoyed. Put your children on the free merry-go-rounds, watch their delight.  

A man stands outside Keanu Bar in the Patriarch's Ponds neighbourhood in central Moscow, Russia July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

 

There is a reality beyond the free sunscreen, drinks and delectables on offer, the gaiety of the pubs and the companionship and comradeship to be had when the entire city of 13 million inhabitants is invited to enjoy themselves in the presence of their friends and neighbours. Don't give a thought to those in mourning for the absence of sons, fathers, husbands, uncles, the fallen in a war where tens of thousands of Russian servicemen have fallen to the territorial ambition of their president, Vladimir Putin, envisioning a return to the days of satellite nations revolving in homage around Moscow.

 

Immense investment over a decade has resulted in Moscow being transformed into a most modern of metropolises. City improvements are never far from viewing at events such as Summer in Moscow. There are no missiles and drones bombarding the entertainment venues and people are free to meander about wondering at the changes to their city, feeling blessed and blissful to be alive and carefree, thanks to their government. 

 

A poll taken in July saw 57 percent of respondents saying they were satisfied with their lives. On the other hand, the government budget propping up the appearance of prosperity is running dry. On the one hand there is the recently renovated pedestrian zones where government sponsored fairs feature all manner of attractive displays. The subway trains are ultra modern, so are the electric buses. And everywhere, advertisements of fun activities. Palm and olive trees have been planted and they're thriving -- at least until the arrival of a Moscow winter.  

 

People sit in a cafe, as a poster promoting contract military service in the Russian army hangs on a door, in Moscow, Russia August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Yulia Morozova

 

Pro-war hawks, on the other hand are not enthused about this state of oblivion to the ongoing war. They abhor the 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality fostered by government goodwill toward its people. "Is the war really going on somewhere?" state propaganda firebrand Vladimir Solovyov fumed last month on a talk show. "You can go out in a major city on Friday and have no idea!" 

 

Thanks to the monstrous war expenditure, inflation is spiraling upward with massive growth in the federal budget deficit. Russia's emergency fund is set to be exhausted in two years' time, according to estimates. A reality in a war economy that is furthest from peoples' minds as the government encourages them to be happy, don't even think of considering the war ongoing next door...  

 

People walk near a banner in support of the Russian army in Moscow, Russia August 11, 2025. The banner reads: "The history of Russia is the history of the defenders of the fatherland". REUTERS/Yulia Morozova