Russians Increasingly Angry and Concerned as War Hits Home

The summer travel season in Moscow usually sees crowded train stations filled with vacationers heading south. However, this year, the atmosphere is starkly different. Trains to Crimea are eerily empty, military uniforms are more prominent, and a pervasive sense of anxiety hangs in the air.

Similar to other parts of Russia, there are widespread discussions about fuel shortages, drone attacks, internet disruptions, and the looming threat of a new mobilization. A survey by the Foundation for Public Opinion (FOM), an agency closely linked to the Kremlin, revealed on July 2 that 55 percent of respondents expressed concerns about their situation, indicating a significant rise in public unease since 2022 when reservists were first called up for the war in Ukraine.

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The trains to Crimea are eerily empty, military uniforms are more noticeable, and a pervasive sense of anxiety hangs in the air.

The war has now directly impacted daily life for many Russians, transforming it from a distant conflict into a personal problem. This shift in public sentiment is palpable, with citizens expressing growing frustration and worry about the ongoing situation and its potential escalation.

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55 percent of respondents expressed concerns about their situation.