In Private Surveys, Russians Are Calling For An End To The War

The elites are sending Putin the same message.

Russian authorities have noted an increase in war fatigue among Russians due to the war with Ukraine. Several sources familiar with the results of closed-door polls conducted prior to the primaries told Faridaily was told by several sources familiar with the results of closed polls conducted ahead of the “United Russia” primaries in May.

According to a source close to United Russia’s leadership, the party traditionally commissioned closed opinion polls ahead of the primaries to gauge voter sentiment. And the results surprised United Russia members.

“In focus groups, voters are now speaking openly: we need a solution [to the conflict with Ukraine]. We’re waiting for a solution—for the war to end one way or another. If you can strike them somehow—strike them. If you can do something else—do something else. But just do it already,” said a source close to United Russia’s leadership.

However, this is not about a rise in the number of anti-war Russians: those who want the war to end as soon as possible are largely unconcerned about Ukraine’s fate—or the “results” of the military operation.

The majority of respondents—more than 60%—express fatigue with various aspects of the war in closed-door surveys, according to another source close to United Russia, as well as a sociologist familiar with the results of closed-door polls conducted for the government. “The number of people prepared for a non-victorious outcome of the special military operation is growing,” says the sociologist.

Although polling agencies do not measure the level of dissatisfaction with the war, there is some data suggesting that the results of public polls are similar to those of closed-door surveys. The independent Russian Field center reported in February that the number of Russians supporting negotiations with Kyiv had risen to a record 53% (previously, such a level had been observed only in November 2024). According to the latest data from the Levada Center, 62% of Russians believe it is time to move toward peace negotiations.

However, for obvious reasons, United Russia cannot represent the interests of voters who want an end to the war.

Other parties participating in the elections, however, are picking up on the current mood among Russians. This is clearly evident in the case of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF): an influential representative of Buryatia in the State Duma Vyacheslav Markhaev published a widely discussed appeal to his fellow citizens. Markhaev demanded “a clear, public plan to end the special military operation, based on Russia’s national interests.”

An unexpected admission also came from official authorities. The chair of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova stated that the September elections will differ from all previous ones: “Another major difference is this: people are very tired; there is fatigue, a certain disappointment, and some elements of depression—the atmosphere is not easy.”

It is not only ordinary Russians who are feeling the strain and fatigue of the war.

“Everyone is tired of the war. There’s no momentum; everything is stuck in a kind of limbo, going neither here nor there. Our ground offensive is being heavily offset by drone strikes—even as far as Yekaterinburg,” says a high-ranking source close to the government, describing the mood in Russian power circles.

The widely discussed article by military expert Vasily Kashin, as well as the publication by a former employee of the presidential administration and director of the “Ushkuynik” center, which manufactures drones, Alexei Chadaev and others did not appear by chance.

According to our sources in the government, these publications—which essentially argue that it is time to end the war and that further military action will not yield significant results—reflect a viewpoint that has recently gained traction among the Russian elite.

“This isn’t defeatism; people don’t want to give up. It’s more of a plea to the boss [Putin]: ‘You’ve always been able to resolve these issues. Let’s finally resolve it,” explains a government source.

Another high-ranking source close to the government notes widespread nervousness and tension within the system—due to a lack of prospects.

“When we’re on the offensive, or conversely when there are difficulties on the front lines, there’s some kind of movement. But right now, no one understands the actual battle plan, and our future as a whole is unclear.”

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