Four Years On: Unpacking How the War in Ukraine Has Transformed Russia

The Enduring Shadow of Conflict: A War of Unprecedented Scale

Nearly four years have passed since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an event that sent ripples across the globe and irrevocably altered the course of Russian society. While the conflict continues to rage, claiming immense human life and reshaping geopolitical landscapes, the question arises:How have four years of war in Ukraine changed Russiaitself? From curbs on personal freedoms to shifts in market choices, and amidst sustained public support, we delve into the multifaceted transformations within the country, drawing on insights from Russians both at home and abroad.

Referred to officially in Russia as a “special military operation,” this conflict has now surpassed Russia's involvement in World War II in terms of duration. Independent Russian media outlet MediaZona has verified over 186,000 Russian combat deaths, a figure starkly illustrating the human cost – nearly 13 times the losses sustained by the Red Army during the entire decade-long Soviet-Afghan War. As millions of Ukrainians have become refugees and those remaining endure harsh conditions under constant missile attacks, understanding Russia's internal transformation is crucial.

Life on the Edge: Russia's Border Regions Under Fire

While the broader world grapples with the war's distant consequences, some areas of western Russia, particularly the Kursk and Belgorod regions bordering Ukraine, have experienced the conflict firsthand. These areas have endured artillery barrages, drone strikes, and even ground incursions, with parts of Kursk temporarily falling under Ukrainian control. Ben the Brit, a 25-year-old YouTuber who moved to Kursk in 2021, shared his observations: “Just over a year ago, whilst Ukrainian forces were still in this region, you’d get strikes multiple times per day.” He added, “What might shock people is how used to it locals became, and me included in that. Nobody ran to shelters with each strike. Otherwise, you’d never be able to live your life. You’d always be in there.” Tragically, local reports from Fonar.tv indicate at least 458 civilian fatalities in the Belgorod region due to Ukrainian attacks since the war began, highlighting the localized, tangible impact of the conflict on daily life in Russia.

Metropolitan Resilience: Moscow and St. Petersburg's Perspective

In stark contrast to the border regions, major Russian metropolises like Moscow and St. Petersburg have largely remained untouched by direct conflict. The Western sanctions, intended to cripple the Russian economy, are often perceived as mere inconveniences by residents. Andrey, a 30-year-old Muscovite, lamented the rising costs: “It’s so expensive. I’m in shock. It’s just like Europe.” Yet, he noted the continued robust purchasing power in Moscow, with crowded supermarket cafes and a constant stream of taxi and delivery drivers, suggesting that for many city dwellers, life’s rhythm, though more expensive, hasn’t fundamentally faltered. This highlights a significant disparity in the Russia Ukraine war impact.

Economic Shifts and Shifting Consumer Landscapes

The absence of familiar brands is one noticeable change. Kirill F, a 39-year-old photographer from St. Petersburg, explained, “It became very problematic to find some brands that you used to buy before.” While some goods reappear through resellers at higher prices, others are simply gone from mainstream stores. The market has seen a resurgence of some South Korean brands and a surge in Chinese products, though Kirill noted the latter often fall short in quality compared to previous European imports. Navigating overseas payment restrictions, a consequence of Western sanctions, has also become a part of daily life, with individuals like Kirill opening bank accounts in neighboring countries like Kyrgyzstan as a practical, albeit annoying, solution. These are key Russian economic changes demonstrating Russian society transformation.

The Digital Divide: Information Control and Its Ramifications

Perhaps more profoundly, the Kremlin has tightened its grip on information. Since 2022, strict laws penalize “fake news” about the invasion, alongside the blocking of major social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Access to WhatsApp, Telegram, and YouTube has also been curtailed, with state-backed alternatives like RuTube and Max being promoted. Kirill recounted the gradual rollout of these restrictions: “At first, we were blocked from using Facebook… and then YouTube was banned.” He expressed concern about the long-term implications: “For ordinary citizens, this blockage just worsens life. That’s all. Younger people perceive it as a violation of their personal life, and they will grow up hating the state.” This digital iron curtain significantly impacts access to diverse perspectives, shaping the information landscape within Russia, a clear example of information control in Russia.

Evolving Narratives: Shifting Public Sentiment in Russia

Despite these challenges and restrictions, opinion polls consistently suggest widespread public support for the war, though analysts caution that laws criminalizing anti-war sentiment make accurate assessment difficult. The narrative around the conflict itself has shifted for many. Vladislav, 30, from Saratov, initially questioned the invasion’s premise. However, his perspective evolved after witnessing what he describes as “photos of swastikas, SS skulls and other symbols of fascist ideology” associated with some Ukrainian soldiers. Citing his grandparents' service in WWII, he now firmly supports the war, advocating for the “destruction” of the Ukrainian leadership. Similarly, Kirill, who initially viewed the war as a diplomatic failure, has grown jaded with Western and liberal analyses. “We read both the foreign press and the liberal analysts, who told us the Russian economy had two weeks left, yet here we are four years later, and everything’s fine,” he observed, questioning the credibility of those narratives. The military, no longer relying solely on conscripts, now attracts recruits through generous pay, as evidenced by Vladislav’s brother enlisting as a drone pilot, highlighting a new dimension of public engagement with the conflict and the nuances of public opinion in Russia war.

A Nation Reshaped: The Lasting Impact

In sum,how four years of war in Ukraine have changed Russiais a complex tapestry of localized hardship, metropolitan adaptation, economic realignment, stringent information control, and evolving public sentiment. While the war's daily realities vary greatly across the vast nation, its cumulative effect has undeniably reshaped the social, economic, and digital fabric of Russia. The journey of these four years has forged a society grappling with altered realities, where resilience, adaptation, and ideological shifts define a nation navigating an ongoing, transformative conflict.