Moscow Demolitions Herald Storm To Come

A digger scoops up what remains of a Soviet-era apartment block on May 16.

The interior of an apartment photographed in the midst of demolition on May 16. The newer plans to raze around 4,500 crumbling Soviet-era apartment blocks were reportedly well received by most Muscovites, but uncertainty over the relocation of residents has fueled resistance to the recent scheme.

A message of resistance inside an apartment block undergoing demolition on May 16. The current demolitions in Moscow are related to a smaller-scale plan made by a former Moscow mayor to demolish some Soviet-era apartments.

Anti-demolition activist Kari Guggenberger inside her newly renovated apartment, which has been scheduled for demolition. The 35-year-old began a highly active Facebook page opposing the latest demolition plans that now has more than 23,000 followers.

A recent (state-run) poll claims 80 percent of Muscovites support the removal of the decaying apartment blocks. According to Reuters photographer Sergei Karpukhin, these residents of an apartment block scheduled for demolition are supportive of the plan.

An emptied apartment block scheduled for demolition photographed on May 16. Looters are reportedly picking through some of the vacated apartments currently being knocked down.