Wiki tells that the Battle of Moscow was between October 1941 and January 1942. If you recall, Operation Barbarossa was planned to capture Moscow within four months. The Soviet Union successfully defended its capital with three defensive belts. The strategy was to slow down the German advance until the snows would come. They came, along with the bitter cold. The German soldiers had no winter clothing and German vehicles and weapons were not designed for such harsh weather. It was the first defeat of the Wehrmacht in World War II.
Perestroika and permafrost: Moscow's new interest in climate change explains Russia has a curious attitude toward climate change. In particular, the nation ratified Kyoto because of an opportunity for emissions trading instead of concern for the environment. Putin seems to view climate change as an opportunity to further exploit the mineral riches of Siberia. Troubling for the environmentalists is what will happen when the permafrost thaws and billions of tons of ancient carbon are released into the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Moscow has apparently been listening to Richard Burton's Camelot. Remember the lyrics, "It's true! It's true! The crown has made it clear. The climate must be perfect all the year. ... And there's a legal limit to the snow here In Camelot."
Moscow mayor promises a winter without snow tells that the mayor's office plans to use the Russian Air Force to spray any approaching winter clouds with chemicals to keep the snow away from Camelot Moscow. He claims it is win-win. Moscowvites will have an improved quality of life, and the additional moisture on farmland outside of Moscow can only improve the harvest. His budget meister explains that the cost of seeding the obnoxious snow clouds is less than snow removal from the streets of Moscow.
The winters have already been warming for Russia. Traditional Russian winters do not exist anymore explains. In the middle of last December, Moscow did not have snow - the city used to become blanketed in October or November. Last December 3rd and 4th were the warmest winter days in over 130 years of meteorology.
Mmm. If the Battle of Moscow had been fought last year, world history would be very, very, different. Warming up an exquisite ice sculpture results in a very common puddle of water.
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