Sochi residents welcomed New Year at home for fear of terror acts

Sochi streets were practically empty on December 31, 2013, and January 1, 2014, seeing only police patrol units cruising through the city, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports. Sochi residents explain their reluctance to leave home by fear of terror acts.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on the New Year Eve explosions were triggered in Pyatigorsk (December 27) and in Volgograd (December 29 and 30), killing three bystanders (in Pyatigorsk), and 36 people (in Volgograd), including both suicide bombers.

The large number of policemen and the moods of fear among residents create an impression that Sochi is under martial law, said Igor Malyshenko, a local resident.

"The mood is bleak; what holiday when the country is in mourning after terror acts? I think that Sochi is no less attractive target for terrorists. No wonder that so many policemen have been brought here. But I think that they make little sense," said Igor. "Are they trained to prevent terror acts? They advise not to go to crowded places. I'll go to the store for a bottle of champagne and immediately back home."

The Sochi settlement of Krasnaya Polyana was deserted on the New Year's Eve, says Tatiana Kupeeva, a local.

"On December 31 I went with my girlfriend to Krasnaya Polyana by a new electric train. There were practically no locals and guests there. The prices are 'atomic'. Krasnaya Polyana is built up with hotels, restaurants, cafes – everything, except for people. It is not clear for whom this resort was built and how it will pay for itself," said Tatiana.

Employees of restaurants and cafes also complained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about a small number of visitors. According to their stories, some of the restaurants were closed on the eve of the holiday.