Severe traffic jams paralyzed central Moscow on Thursday afternoon, leading to speculation about the cause of the sudden street closures. The city’s Department of Transportation announced the closure of key routes without providing an immediate explanation, fueling rumors among drivers.

The closures affected Tverskaya Street (towards the center), Prechistenskaya Square, the Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge, and Znamenka Street. These restrictions resulted in significant congestion in and around these areas.

Drivers stuck in the gridlock turned to online forums to understand the reason for the disruptions. Frustrated commuters shared their experiences and theories on Yandex.Maps, with some suggesting the closures were due to a high-profile visit.

One possible explanation circulating is the visit of Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith to Moscow. Reports indicate that he is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and already participated in a wreath-laying ceremony.

Speculation arose after comments from Donald Trump on July 28th about reducing the timeline for Russia to make peace with Ukraine.