Russia is experiencing a decline in morale as its war against Ukraine enters its fourth summer, with feelings of hope and pride appearing to be replaced by indifference and fear.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s concerns about public discontent with the war are apparent in the Kremlin’s increase in information control and the severity of repression, including a new law criminalizing any internet searches for materials deemed “extremist.”
The economic situation in Russia continues to deteriorate amid budget deficits and industrial stagnation, and now faces a new EU sanctions package that institutes a price ceiling on Russian oil.
The fourth summer of Moscow’s war against Ukraine has brought feelings of tiredness and hopelessness, rather than the usual seasonal optimism, to Russia. The spring expectations of a probable cessation of hostilities are gone,
and the messages from the Kremlin about the firm determination to stay the course aimed at subjugating Ukraine undercut the longing for a normal life. Opinion polls cannot fully capture this shift in public mood, particularly when conducted by “foreign agents.” They still indicate a decline in feelings of pride and hope, however,
and an increase in indifference and fear (Levada Center, July 18). Even the weather in Moscow departs from all perceptions of normalcy. Following an extreme heat wave in early July, tropical rains have caused traffic chaos and local flooding (Ritmmsk.ru, July 17).
The course of combat operations, despite the upbeat official reporting and inflated claims of jingoist bloggers, is widely perceived as stagnant (TopWar.ru, July 16; Izvestiya, July 19). The intensity of Russian tactical attacks, which in May and June yielded a few square miles every day at the cost of enormous casualties, has notably declined (see EDM, July 14; The Insider; Meduza, July 18).
No comments:
Post a Comment