(MOSCOW) – Civil unrest is spreading across Russia as the country faces a deepening economic crisis and growing public anger at the regime of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Workers across multiple industries are striking over unpaid wages, while new oppressive laws target citizens for online activity and minor cultural expressions.
In recent days, Russian authorities have jailed young people for searching topics related to Ukraine and for singing songs with politically sensitive lyrics. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has launched fresh missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting civilian infrastructure, homes, and power plants in an apparent effort to distract from domestic discontent.
Ukrainian air defences successfully intercepted several of these attacks, limiting casualties in some areas. However, reports from conflict zones such as Prosk indicate heavy Russian losses, with estimates of 700 to 800 Russian soldiers killed daily. Many troops reportedly operate under extreme conditions, allegedly drugged and pushed into frontline assaults with minimal training or support, receiving monthly wages of $4,000 to $6,000.
At home, unpaid construction workers in Ulanovsk walked off jobs at Generostroy Institute, citing two month salary delays. Workers described dire living conditions, including overflowing toilets, no water delivery, and a lack of basic supplies, while also purchasing their own boots and food.
The population is feeling the strain of higher taxes and import restrictions, including the cost of imported cars. For example, a Hyundai Santa Fe that retails at $25,000 costs nearly $75,000 in Russia after taxes and fees, reflecting the regime’s prioritisation of war funding over citizens’ livelihoods.
Oppressive legislation continues to expand. Russian mobile internet subscribers returning from abroad face a mandatory 24 hour internet block described as a “cooling off period” to prevent exposure to foreign influences. Citizens searching for topics deemed “extremist,” including references to Ukraine, risk long prison sentences. A 20 year old medical professional, Sergey Gulik, faces up to a decade in prison for briefly searching a Ukrainian topic online.
Cultural repression also persists. Satlana Marina was released from a year long sentence of forced labour for criticising a pro-war blogger, and musician Ikatarina Romanova was detained shortly after her release for performing songs considered politically sensitive. Families have reported disappearances reminiscent of Soviet-era practices, indicating a continued culture of fear and control.
Internationally, Polish officials have warned that the Russian dictator is seeking to maintain domestic control while pursuing expansionist ambitions abroad. Analysts note that all of Russia’s territorial ambitions, including in the Baltics, Moldova, and Romania, depend on first controlling Ukraine. Western support for Ukraine is seen as crucial in preventing further Russian expansion.
In Russia, disinformation efforts have extended abroad, including campaigns targeting the US electorate. Analysts describe these attempts as increasingly desperate and widely unsuccessful, as domestic unrest and economic collapse challenge the regime’s propaganda.
Amid the crisis, the human cost of Russian aggression in Ukraine remains stark. Civilian casualties continue to mount in cities targeted by missile and drone strikes. In one recent attack, a mother and child were killed when a missile struck an apartment building. Yet there are stories of resilience, such as the rescue of a Yorkshire terrier from the rubble in Nepro, symbolising small acts of hope amid widespread devastation.
