I talk with Russians on several international forums (about architecture and about gaming). Thousands of people there, a big sample. That's the younger, English-speaking generation, BTW.
They believe in the propaganda mostly, celebrate the victories over "nazis" and support Putin.
What happened after Crimea annexation was appealing, and now it's even worse. It's a society brainwashed into imperialism and they want return of Russia as a global power and revenge on the west.
There are some exceptions, but they are rare. Possibly because of fear, I don't know.
They have western media and had for decades. They don't care, it's all lies for them. Also they have almost no influence over what happens. They barely protest and elections are a farce.
So - sanctions aren't targeted at regular Russians. They target the oligarchs that actually run everything in Russia. Regular Russians are hit by collateral damage, and it will be very harsh collateral damage. But I have no sympathy when I hear from my friends in Ukraine hiding in Kyiv metro for the whole weekend and having no contact with their families in shelled towns.
Ultimately the responsibility towards victims of war is more important than unemployed people in invading country.
They believe in the propaganda mostly, celebrate the victories over "nazis" and support Putin.
What happened after Crimea annexation was appealing, and now it's even worse. It's a society brainwashed into imperialism and they want return of Russia as a global power and revenge on the west.
There are some exceptions, but they are rare. Possibly because of fear, I don't know.
They have western media and had for decades. They don't care, it's all lies for them. Also they have almost no influence over what happens. They barely protest and elections are a farce.
So - sanctions aren't targeted at regular Russians. They target the oligarchs that actually run everything in Russia. Regular Russians are hit by collateral damage, and it will be very harsh collateral damage. But I have no sympathy when I hear from my friends in Ukraine hiding in Kyiv metro for the whole weekend and having no contact with their families in shelled towns.
Ultimately the responsibility towards victims of war is more important than unemployed people in invading country.