Kathrine Frich
Many suspect Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to make an unannounced trip to the area.
When politicians plan a trip to a local town, regional officials often scramble to make a good impression.
Potholes suddenly disappear, and fresh paint covers up years of neglect overnight.
One major city is currently taking this frantic cleanup routine to an entirely new level.
A sudden makeover
Local officials in Novosibirsk are currently working at a breakneck pace to beautify the central Russian city.
Roads are getting fresh asphalt, building facades are seeing rapid repairs, and brand new lawns are popping up along the streets.
Locals are noticing the intense rush. They are flooding social media with photos and videos of the frantic construction work.
According to the independent Russian news outlet Meduza cited by O2, this sudden burst of urban renewal aligns perfectly with rumors of a very high-profile guest.
Waiting for the president
Many suspect Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to make an unannounced trip to the area.
Russian media outlets suggest the leader could arrive as early as August 11, or perhaps later in the month.
The Kremlin has not officially confirmed any travel plans. Even so, the sheer scale of the renovations has residents convinced that someone important is on the way.
The rush is causing massive traffic jams across the city, leaving ordinary drivers stuck in gridlock while crews frantically lay down new pavement.
Painting the grass green
Residents are finding dark humor in the chaotic situation.
One local shared a video on the Telegram channel “7×7” to document the extreme pace of the repairs.
“There’s a real facelift going on in the center, they’re trying to do everything in a week,” the resident said in the recording.
Another local offered a sarcastic take on the sudden civic improvements. “The city is rapidly changing beyond recognition. Maybe the president should come to Novosibirsk more often?” the Russian resident asked.
A familiar illusion
This kind of theatrical preparation is a long-standing tradition in Russian politics.
A very similar situation unfolded in the city of Krasnoyarsk just a few weeks ago in early August.
Shortly before Putin visited that region, fuel prices at local gas stations mysteriously dropped to bargain levels.
According to o2.pl, the day after the president left town, those gas prices immediately shot right back up to their normal rates.
Sources: o2.pl, Meduza, Telegram, Russian media
