Anyone who has less than $10 million in the bank becomes pretty much an outsider in Rublevka, that road, not far from Moscow, along which lie delightful villas next to other imposing constructions.

Razdory, Barvikha, Zhukova, Usovo, Barki are names associated with the charming Russian backwoods, with little huts and vegetable patches. This did in fact exist here once upon a time. The elite, the class which emerged during the Soviet era, noticed this little spot on the upper reaches of the Moskva River long ago and lay there its roots.

Now the 30km long Rublevskoe Shosse, which stretches west from Kutuzovsky Prospect, has become a sanctuary for the super rich. Those who have less than $10 million in their bank accounts are seen in the eyes of Rublevka residents as despicable middle class.

One of the huge billboards, which line the road, advertises a "Jaguar”, while another advertises Philippine housemaids and designer houses. Castles and vineyards in France are also on offer. Dolce&Gabbana, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Gucci, Prada, Armani and Harley Davidson have all opened boutiques in the Luxury Valley in Barvikha.

For over 45 years now Galina Shostakovich, daughter of the famous Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich, has been spending a few months a year in Zhukovka. "My father got his house in 1960. Back then it was a quiet area, and we used to have a beautiful huge forest here," she reminisces. "We used to pick mushrooms there and go skiing. Now they’ve cut down the forest and built houses which are hidden behind huge fences. There are security cameras everywhere".

Your prestige here in this ghetto for millionaires depends on how many bodyguards you’ve got, which cars you drive, and how beautiful your wife or mistresses are. Galina Shostakovich’s gate still doesn’t have a lock.

Your prestige here in this ghetto for millionaires depends on how many bodyguards you’ve got, which cars you drive, and how beautiful your wife or mistresses are. Galina Shostakovich’s gate still doesn’t have a lock.

She doesn't like the sparkling Zhukovka business centre, where even the most demanding clients are never disappointed. The Doucet H.O. confectioner’s offers a huge choice of all kinds of cakes, bread, wines and whiskeys. Heels clicking on the floor, a pretty blonde in an open fur coat and expensive jeans walks into the shop. With a bored look on her face, she orders a latte. On the flat TV screen, a fashion show is being held.

From Inopressa