Neighbours unhappy with new razor wire at Russian embassy
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 06 May, 2015, 10:09pm
UPDATED : Thursday, 07 May, 2015, 7:02am
The Washington Post
The Embassy of Russia in Washington D.C. Photo: Wikipedia
Beside an exclusive tree-lined northwest Washington neighbourhood near the National Cathedral, at one of the highest points in the city, sits the massive Russian embassy compound. It's heavily secured and surrounded by tall iron fencing.
But at the back of the embassy, on the side seen only by local residents, the Russians have added another layer of security: razor wire.
Joyce Winslow, who lives nearby, said she believes it's only gone up recently. On an unseasonably warm April day, she'd taken a walk and hadn't seen it. But over the weekend it appeared. The image of the dangerous blades in her genteel locale was "shocking", she said.
Neighbors are unhappy about the new razor wire installed on the fence behind the Embassy of Russia in Washington. Photo: The Washington Post
Relations between the United States and Russia are strained, but why now? Threats from pro-Ukrainian activists? Propaganda to show Russians back home? To keep out squirrels? Paranoia?
Despite several rounds of emailing with the Russian embassy's media arm, there was no explanation for its rationale.
Without an answer to pressing inquires about the razor wire, primarily confirmation that the wire is a new edition to the facade and the rationale for it, it is only possible to speculate.
It's possible the embassy was simply following the White House - which will add spikes to its fence to keep out intruders.
Of course those are designed to still look appealing. The Russian's sharp fence has all the aesthetic appeal of a junk yard for used cars.
