Why Do Russians Continue To Put Up With The War And Putin?

A weak Kremlin relies on fear and propaganda.

Ukrainian drones are attacking targets in Russia, lines are forming at gas stations, and fires at infrastructure sites are disrupting daily life. Yet many Russians still insist that nothing out of the ordinary is happening and continue to support the Kremlin’s course. Fear, propaganda, and a habit of endurance help the Kremlin carry out its policies, writes The New York Times.

Residents of Sofino, a town near Moscow, have mixed reactions to what is happening. Many residents pretend that the war “barely affects their daily lives,” while others fear for their loved ones, distrust official information, and prefer to silently endure what is happening.

Ukraine is carrying out strikes against Russian oil refineries and other facilities, hoping to make the population feel the consequences of the war. However, the economic damage has not yet led to a noticeable increase in public discontent.

Polls show that many Russians are becoming less and less interested in what is happening on the front lines, while confidence that the country is moving in the right direction is growing. The Kremlin has managed to maintain a sense of normalcy even amid a protracted conflict.

At the same time, the absence of open protest does not necessarily mean agreement with the war. Opponents of the invasion, including representatives of the Yabloko party, point out that, given the climate of repression, people have virtually no safe ways to express their dissent.

Sociologists acknowledge that the worsening economic situation and declining trust in official information may, over time, intensify discontent. But for now, many Russians prefer to adapt rather than oppose the authorities.

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