Over 10,000 Muscovites protested against the demolition of "Khrushchyovkas"

Moscow - More than 10,000 people took to the streets of Moscow today to protest against a controversial plan that the city wants to demolish dozens of decades-old apartment buildings from the era of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, known as Khrushchyovkas. This was reported by the AP agency. The demolition could leave up to 1.6 million people homeless, which is 13 percent of the metropolitan population.

Demonstrators gathered to protest what is likely the largest reconstruction project in Russia. The project involves tearing down an entire neighborhood of simple, predominantly panel buildings from the Soviet era. The city hall insists that the buildings are too dilapidated and outdated, while many residents and activists view the plan as a ruse to clear the way for the creation of a ghetto with high-rise buildings in one of the most wooded areas of Moscow.

Muscovites marched today with flags representing their neighborhoods, carrying banners expressing disapproval of the demolition, and loudly called for the resignation of the Moscow mayor, who is an ally of President Vladimir Putin.

The five-story buildings built in the 1950s and 1960s were meant to address the housing crisis. Up to 8,000 homes could be demolished. The city has allocated 300 million rubles (127.6 million crowns) for the project, while new construction could cost up to 2.4 trillion rubles.

According to the city hall, the consent of the residents will be a prerequisite for the demolition. A selected building will only be demolished if the majority of its residents agree to the demolition.