Rechnik: An Elite Neighborhood Under Fire

A view of the Rechnik neighborhood, right, perched on a river bank in an environmentally protected area of western Moscow. City authorities say the houses are illegally built and must come down.

One of the luxurious houses in Rechnik, whose residents reportedly include governors, lawmakers and celebrities.

Vitaly Nikitin, right, head of the Krylatsky district, urging residents Monday to move while their homes remain standing.

Residents collecting signatures for an appeal to President Dmitry Medvedev that says they occupied the land legally.

Rechnik residents warming themselves near an outdoor bonfire on Monday.

Rechnik residents walking around one of the luxury houses that was demolished by municipal workers last week.

Trucks parked in Rechnik, waiting to clear away destroyed houses Monday.

Court marshals keeping an eye on the neighborhood from inside a van on Monday.

Special forces in riot gear cordoning off a house for demolition on Thursday.

A dog sign on the fence surrounding one Rechnik house reads, “I live here!”