Though spring had already arrived, Moscow was still shrouded in desolation, as if it were still winter. Although the war was still some distance from Moscow, everyone seemed to know that the German military was advancing toward it. Even under the Russian military's frenzied resistance, the German military continued to push forward with unwavering determination. The Russian military simply had no way to halt its advance.
"Can our army hold them off before the Germans reach Moscow?"
"Can our army defend Moscow?"
Such questions filled the minds of every Russian living in Moscow. Some Russians with connections had even begun looking for ways to flee the city.
Before the war broke out, this had been Russia's capital, a place with the best treatment in all of Russia. Nearly every Russian had wanted to live here. But now, no one wanted war descending upon their heads. Thus, many Russians wanted to flee. Even if they could no longer enjoy such good treatment, at least they could save their own skins. Once Moscow was engulfed in the flames of war, their lives would no longer be in their own hands. A single shell might fall and wipe them out.
After the German offensive began once more, many people in Russia's government departments and military submitted requests to be transferred eastward, even directly to Siberia east of the Ural Mountains. Though those places were bitterly cold lands, many Russians believed that no matter how powerful the Germans were, crossing the Ural Mountains would undoubtedly be extremely difficult. As long as they escaped east of the Ural Mountains, they would be safe.
Large numbers of ordinary civilians living in Moscow had also begun leaving the city of their own accord. All of this undoubtedly reflected an utter lack of faith in the Russian military's