Putin Has a New Problem – War Supporters Are Changing Their Minds

Residents of major Russian cities, once confident in their safety, are facing drone strikes, inflation, and tension. War supporters are beginning to doubt. The consumer sentiment index has fallen to 94 points, and approval of Kremlin policy has declined. Economic problems include fuel shortages, logistics disruptions, and rising prices for potatoes and chocolate.

Residents of Russia's largest and wealthiest metropolises long lived with the confidence that the large-scale invasion of Ukraine would not affect their usual way of life. However, years later, the situation has changed dramatically. Massive Ukrainian drone strikes, record inflation, and constant tension are forcing Russians to look at events anew, and once-ardent war supporters are beginning to openly question its expediency. The conflict is gradually moving onto Russian territory. Muscovite Svetlana says that in one night, six powerful explosions occurred near her home. In St. Petersburg, resident Ekaterina notes the disappearance of a sense of security, with stress being drowned with alcohol or antidepressants. Economic problems: strikes on oil refineries caused fuel shortages, and Wildberries warehouses, which provide about 10% of Russia's retail turnover, were hit. Inflation: potatoes rose by 167%, chocolate by 125% in 2024-2026. The Levada Center's consumer sentiment index fell to 94 points, the lowest in four years. Approval of Kremlin policy has dropped to its lowest levels since the invasion began. Senior fellow at the NEST Center, John Lough, notes that the question of the conflict's meaning is growing louder in society. According to Svetlana's observations, even former supporters of the authorities are changing their minds. ABC journalists emphasize: all segments of the population are tired of the war.