Moscow Red Square Travel 2026: Is It Safe from Drone Attacks?

Amidst the buzz of the war with Ukraine,

I recently visited Russia.

Russia has a peculiar charm,

feeling like Europe yet distinctly different.

Planning a trip to Russia after two years,

I was so excited!

Many of you might be concerned due to recent drone attacks in Ukraine,

but I want to share how my trip went.

So, let's dive into my travelogue of Moscow, Russia's Red Square,

starting now!

1. Moscow Weather in August & September

First, let me show you the area I visited on a map.

Russia is a vast country, so even within the same nation,

there can be time differences of 2 to 6 hours between cities.

Moscow, where I visited, is

currently 6 hours behind Korean time.

And for Russia's weather, late June to early August

can be considered the peak of summer.

I went in mid-August,

and from then on, a cool breeze started to blow.

Within a few days, it became too chilly to wear just short sleeves,

so I always carried long sleeves.

I returned to Korea at the end of August,

but right before I left Russia, it was too cold for short sleeves.

I absolutely had to wear 2-3 layers

just to stay warm. It already felt like November in Korea!

Of course, there can be differences between cities,

so please keep in mind that the information above is specific to Moscow!

2. Current Drone Situation in Russia

Around August, when I was in Russia, Korean news channels

were running sensational headlines like "[Moscow, Russia in a Sea of Flames]".

A Wildberries warehouse on the outskirts of Moscow

(a platform similar to Korea's Coupang) was directly hit by a Ukrainian drone attack.

Its entire inventory was destroyed,

and an oil refinery caught fire,

causing significant damage. ㅜㅜ

Because of this, my family in Korea worried a lot, but..

honestly, where I was, I didn't feel any tremors of war and had a peaceful trip.

There was no wartime atmosphere among the people either.

I truly hope the war ends soon!

3. Why I Chose to Travel to Moscow

Having been exposed to the Russian language for 10 years,

I'd heard so much about Russia and Moscow's Red Square,

but never had the chance to visit.

However, I finally got the opportunity to see it for the first time,

and it was even more magnificent and grand than I had imagined!

One place you absolutely can't miss when traveling to Moscow is

the Red Square.

Red Square is located in the heart of Moscow, Russia's capital,

and it's surrounded by iconic landmarks like

the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, and GUM Department Store,

making it a perfect spot to explore all at once.

Interestingly, the name Red Square

doesn't come from the color of the square's pavement.

It's actually derived from the Russian word 'Красная' (Krasnaya),

which also means 'beautiful'.

Stepping into the square, the expansive space and

magnificent architecture immediately catch your eye,

giving you a true sense of being in Moscow.

One of the things I absolutely wanted to see near Red Square

was the Changing of the Guard ceremony held in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Every hour on the hour, in front of the Eternal Flame,

the guards from the Presidential Regiment of Russia

move with impressive precision and rhythm,

and their distinctive high-stepping march, known as the

‘Kremlin Step (Кремлёвский шаг)’, is a true spectacle.

During the day, it's perfect for leisurely admiring the architecture and the square's ambiance,

while in the evening, as the lights come on,

you can experience a completely different vibe.

Since you can explore the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, and GUM department store all together,

it's a quintessential tourist spot that's perfect to include in your itinerary

if you're visiting Moscow for the first time.

While it was plenty stunning during the day,

I found that the atmosphere completely transforms

starting from sunset when I actually visited.

Due to my schedule, I mostly explored Moscow

during the daytime,

but looking back, I think it would have been

even better to stay and see Red Square at night.

If you're planning your Moscow trip

and, like me, you really want to experience the nightlife,

I recommend checking out Moscow night tours too!

▼ Learn More About Moscow Night Tours

[Moscow Night Tour] When Moscow's Temperature Reaches 36.5 Degrees: Dance of the Night3ha.in

People around me often asked why I was going at such a risky time, but...

The truth is, I had already visited St. Petersburg two years ago, even during the war,

and because I didn't really feel the impact of the war much then,

I prepared for this trip without much worry either.

Maybe it's a bit of safety insensitivity on my part 🫨

And you know, most people think Russians are cold, right?

But it turns out, they're not really like that!

My biggest reason for loving Russia?

The perfect blend of moderate indifference and just the right amount of warmth... haha.

Among the group I traveled with, the person visiting Russia for the very first time

said this the most often!

"This feels completely like Europe!

It's so different from what I imagined Russia would be like."

For those who've never experienced Russia before,

they often think Russia has only its unique atmosphere,

very different from Europe, right? Haha.

Unless it's a truly Russian landmark area like the Red Square I posted about this time,

most places feel pretty similar to European streets.

So, for those who dream of a European trip but are

worried about the high costs,

I highly recommend considering a trip to Russia too!

You can experience a European-style trip with flights and living costs that are almost half the price,

plus, there's the unique charm of Russia –

a distinctive twist that Europe doesn't offer, if you will.

4. The Regret of Missing Moscow's Night View

Since I was traveling with business associates, I always moved around during the daytime,

but I happened to pass by the Tsum Department Store area at sunset,

and the atmosphere, so different from the day, was truly beautiful.

After actually visiting, I realized it would be even better to plan a Moscow itinerary

that includes not just the daytime, but also sunset all the way through the night view.

That's why I regret not seeing the night view. ㅜㅜ

Especially if you're visiting Moscow for the first time or really want to see it properly,

it's not just about finding famous spots,

but also a great idea to plan in advance how you'll explore from sunset through the night view.

For those of you, like me, who truly want to experience Moscow's night view,

I'll also leave a link to Moscow night tours here.​

▼ Discover Moscow Night Tour Prices & Itinerary!

[Moscow Night Tour] Before you know it, Moscow's spirit warms to a vibrant 36.5 degrees: The Night's Dance3ha.in