Moscow's Trendy Oasis: Residents Tune Out Ukraine Conflict

In the midst of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, the residents of Moscow are finding ways to tune out the conflict and embrace the city's vibrant summer atmosphere. As of August 2025, young people can be seen laughing and playing basketball on the leafy boulevards, while couples relax over games of chess in outdoor cafes near the Bolshoi Theatre.

The Moscow authorities have gone to great lengths to transform the city into a giant "chill-out and entertainment zone" under the slogan "Summer in Moscow." Prominent pedestrian streets and boulevards have been decorated with flowers, and temporary sporting facilities, outdoor stages, and chess areas have been set up to encourage residents to enjoy the moment.

Many Muscovites, like Ilya, a young man from the Kursk region, have adopted a "self-defence mode" to cope with the constant war news. "At some point, you stop taking all the news personally, because if you don't, you could go crazy," says Yulia, a young woman enjoying the city center with a friend.

While the war is not entirely absent, with evening news bulletins providing updates and billboards featuring portraits of soldiers, the overall atmosphere in trendy neighborhoods like Patriarch's Pond is one of luxury, joy, and relaxation. As one student, Azamat, observes, "In other districts far from the centre, you can witness sadness and dullness. But here, in the Patriarch Ponds area, you see beautiful, joyful people and luxury cars."