Life Inside Russia as the War with Ukraine Continues

Nina Krushcheva, a professor of international affairs at the New School, sat down with NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer to discuss how the ongoing war with Ukraine is reshaping life inside Russia. Drawing on her research and recent observations, Krushcheva described a society that is increasingly insulated from outside information, while coping with economic strain and a tightening of state‑controlled narratives.

The professor noted that ordinary Russians now navigate a media landscape dominated by official messaging, making it harder to gauge the full scope of the conflict. Social media platforms are subject to heightened scrutiny, and many citizens rely on word‑of‑mouth networks to share news that falls outside the state line. This information gap, she said, fuels both uncertainty and a cautious form of dissent that often remains invisible to the authorities.

Economic pressures also feature prominently in Krushcheva’s assessment. International sanctions, coupled with wartime spending, have led to shortages of certain goods and a noticeable dip in purchasing power for many households. While some urban residents can still access imported products through informal channels, those in smaller cities and rural areas feel the pinch more acutely, prompting a shift toward self‑reliance and local markets.

Beyond material concerns, Krushcheva highlighted a subtle but significant change in public sentiment. A growing number of Russians, especially younger adults, express skepticism about official narratives, yet they remain wary of overt criticism due to legal repercussions. This ambivalence creates a complex social fabric where private conversations often diverge sharply from public discourse.

The interview underscores how the war’s reverberations extend far beyond the battlefield, touching the daily routines, economic choices, and collective psyche of Russian citizens. As the conflict persists, Krushcheva suggests that understanding these internal dynamics is essential for grasping the broader geopolitical picture.

Original reporting: NPR.