Four years into the invasion, many Russians are adopting a survivalist mindset, balancing patriotic support with personal financial desperation.
The prevailing mood in regional Russia is one of endurance rather than optimism. As the conflict in Ukraine persists longer than the “Great Patriotic War,” the initial expectations of a swift victory have been replaced by a grim acceptance of reality. In towns like Yelets, the presence of the war is felt through the absence of young men and the emergence of memorials dedicated to the fallen.
Public sentiment remains complex. While there is little overt criticism of the government’s military strategy—often due to strict censorship and a sense of national duty—there is growing confusion regarding the ultimate objectives of the campaign. Many citizens find it difficult to reconcile the high-flown rhetoric of state television with the practical difficulties of paying for basic necessities like food and utilities.
“The special military operation is excellent. It’s just that prices keep rising. Pensions go up, but then prices go up even more. So, what do I gain? Nothing.”
As the nation enters the fifth year of what was intended to be a brief operation, the Russian public appears to be “hunkering down.” There is a widespread belief that the average citizen has no power to influence the course of events, leading to a culture of quiet waiting and a hope for an eventual return to stability, even as the war’s presence becomes more entrenched in their daily lives.
SOURCES: Local interviews in Yelets and Lipetsk, Russian State Media, independent economic analysts.
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