High temperatures have changed the usual course of people's lives in Moscow, forcing the army to dress down and the changing of the guard to be cancelled.
RUSSIAN ARMY STRIPS OFF
The Russian Army will temporarily relax its strict dress code due to the extremely hot weather, a spokesman for the Russian Army told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
"The dress code has been eased during the hot weather: sleeves may be rolled up to the elbows of [the soldiers'] camouflage and the upper buttons may be unbuttoned," Col. Oleg Yushkov said.
Along with the dress code indulgences, the servicemen will be relieved from using incendiary ammunition during military training exercises.
"Additional security measures... are being taken in the Russian Army in relation to the jump in temperatures... tracer, incendiary and illumination munitions have been temporarily prohibited during military training exercises," the colonel added.
Personnel are prohibited from remaining in the sun for long time and have been provided with additional drinking water, he said.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD CANCELLED
The changing of the infantry and cavalry guard of the Presidential Regiment, held every Saturday at Cathedral Square in Moscow, will be cancelled on July 17 due to the heat, the Federal Protective Service, responsible for the security of Russian high-ranking state officials, said.
"The cancellation of the ceremony is connected with the abnormally high air temperature in Moscow. Holding the event under these conditions could threaten the health of the participants of the ceremony," the Federal Protective Service said in a statement, adding that the sentries usually wear woolen parade uniforms from the early 20th century.
The heat also affects horses due to participate, with vets advising that the animals not be used in the changing of the guard when the temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius due to the danger of heatstroke.
AMBULANCE TO BE ON DUTY NEAR KREMLIN
An ambulance will be on guard near the Kremlin, Moscow's most visited spot, a medical source said.
He said the scorching sun had not prevented tourists from coming to Red Square and the Kremlin and that the ambulance would be on duty to assist.
"This is much related to the traffic jams that significantly expand the time needed to reach the Kremlin's district," the medical official said.
RUSSIAN CHIEF DOCTOR RECOMMENDS SIESTA
Russia's chief sanitary official, Gennady Onishchenko, has encouraged Russians in heat-stricken regions to take a siesta in the afternoon.
"Due to the heat, strenuous activity should be limited to earlier and later in the day, and longer breaks are essential during peak temperatures with the highest sun exposure," Onishchenko advised employers.
RIA NOVOSTI PAMPERS WORKERS WITH SWIMMING POOL, ICE CREAM
The Russian News & Information Agency RIA Novosti placed a swimming pool in the backyard of its headquarters, encouraging its 1,500 workers to cool off during the hot working days.
The workers of Russia's leading news agency now can swim, take shower and eat ice-cream without leaving the office.
Meanwhile, the meteorologists do not have reassuring news for Muscovites, saying the heat will reach 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday.
MOSCOW, July 14 (RIA Novosti)
