War’s duration and toll
• Russia’s full-scale invasion, now over four years old, has lasted longer than its involvement in World War II. Russian combat deaths verified by independent sources have far exceeded past conflicts like the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Daily life for Russians
• People in western Russian regions near Ukraine have experienced artillery and drone strikes, though big cities like Moscow and St Petersburg rarely feel direct violence.
• Cost of living is higher, and sanctions make some imported brands scarce or expensive. Residents adapt by using alternative markets and workarounds like foreign bank accounts.
Restrictions and media control
• The Russian government has tightened laws against what it calls “fake news” about the war, blocked key social media platforms, and pushed state-controlled alternatives — making life harder and curbing freedoms for young people.
Views on the war
• Polls show strong public support for the invasion, though strict anti-peace laws make honest polling difficult.
• Some Russians support the war based on state narratives about fighting “Nazism,” while others feel pressure to back “victory” even if they privately disagree.
Personal stories and dissent
• Some soldiers and citizens became disillusioned after seeing the war’s realities, with examples of troops going AWOL and emigrants who left Russia because of the conflict.
Overall, the war reshaped everyday life, politics, public opinion, and freedom of expression in Russia, while support for the invasion remains widespread despite economic and social costs.
