Ukraine's drones make life in Russia's biggest cities 'a nightmare'

Svetlana, a Moscow resident, no longer looks forward to summer trips to her dacha, which is located near an airport frequently targeted by Ukrainian drones. "I was there a couple of days ago and we had six explosions one night," she told the ABC. "You are no longer just reading about this war in the newspaper. I'm lying on the bed and feeling it myself."

“

I was there a couple of days ago and we had six explosions one night. You are no longer just reading about this war in the newspaper. I'm lying on the bed and feeling it myself.

For a long time, residents of Russia's most affluent cities felt shielded from the impacts of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, their lives are now increasingly disrupted. The danger from drones is only part of the problem. Prices for many goods have soared, fuel is scarce, and even domestic travel has become difficult, fueling growing anxiety and frustration among Russians.

Beyond the effects of Western sanctions and tightening Kremlin censorship, recruitment drives to replace heavy battlefield casualties are hard to avoid, especially in regional areas. But with Ukraine's development of drones capable of striking deep inside Russia, the war's reality is hitting major cities more directly. "Everything has reached a point where people are really suffering," Svetlana said. "I know a lot of young people who are on antidepressants now. Or they've turned to alcohol. It has become so difficult to cope with the whole situation."

“

Everything has reached a point where people are really suffering. I know a lot of young people who are on antidepressants now. Or they've turned to alcohol. It has become so difficult to cope with the whole situation.

Attacks on oil refineries have led to fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations. Warehouses belonging to Wildberries, a major e-commerce platform responsible for about 10% of Russia's retail trade, have also been targeted, destroying stock for small businesses and disrupting consumer convenience. Svetlana believes "it's time for the people in power to change."

“

it's time for the people in power to change

Evidence suggests Svetlana is not alone in her sentiment. Data from the independent Levada Centre indicates growing depression about national finances, with the Consumer Sentiment Index dropping to its lowest level in four years. A poll by Russia's Public Opinion Foundation revealed rising anxiety, now the dominant emotion in many communities. John Lough, a senior research fellow at the NEST Centre, notes that Russians are increasingly asking, "What is the point of this war?"

“

What is the point of this war?