Moscow resorts to fake snow in warmest December since 1886

Hibernation disrupted at city's zoo and gardens bloom early as temperatures hit record high

Moscow has been so warm this December that the government has resorted to sending trucks filled with artificial snow to decorate a new year display in the city centre.

Videos of the delivery for a snowboarding hill went viral on social media as observers noted the irony of bringing snow to a city that spends millions each year on its removal.