Moscow—While the state media portrays Russia as resilient in the face of Western sanctions, the daily lives of its citizens tell a grimmer tale. Inflation has spiraled out of control, wages remain stagnant, and basic goods have become luxuries for many. For the average Russian, life is no longer about living—it’s about surviving.
The Cost of War
With the war in Ukraine draining the nation’s coffers, military expenditures have become the Kremlin’s primary focus. Lavish spending on weapons, ammunition, and paying mercenaries like the Wagner Group has left little for infrastructure, healthcare, or social services. Citizens complain that state priorities are clear: “Всё на войну, а мы? Как хотите, так и выживайте” (“Everything for the war, and us? Survive however you can”).
Many Muscovites refer to the conflict not as a спецоперация (special operation) but sarcastically as спецобдираловка (“special fleecing”), highlighting how their wallets are being emptied to fund a war they never asked for.
Runaway Inflation
Official statistics claim inflation is “under control,” but a quick trip to any grocery store paints a different picture. Bread prices have doubled in some regions, while meat, dairy, and imported fruits are fast becoming unattainable for ordinary families. Pensioners, reliant on state stipends that haven’t kept pace with rising costs, joke darkly, “Скоро будем хлеб нюхать вместо еды” (“Soon we’ll just sniff bread instead of eating it”).
The ruble’s collapse has only worsened matters. Imported electronics, clothes, and medicines are now priced out of reach, forcing citizens to turn to black markets or rely on low-quality substitutes. “You want an iPhone? Forget it. You’ll be lucky if your Chinese knockoff doesn’t fry your charger,” grumbles Oleg, a taxi driver in Moscow.
Sanctions and Shortages
Western sanctions have gutted key industries, from energy to technology. Factories that once churned out goods for export now sit idle, while skilled workers leave for other countries to escape falling wages and bleak futures. Entire towns dependent on single industries have turned into мертвые деревни (dead villages), with no hope of recovery.
Even essentials like medication have become scarce. Mothers scour pharmacies for baby formula, while diabetics plead on Telegram channels for insulin. “Где лекарства? Их тоже на войну отправили?” (“Where are the medicines? Were they sent to the war too?”) has become a common refrain among the frustrated populace.
The Propaganda Machine
State-controlled news channels, however, remain steadfast in their messaging. Anchors dismiss reports of economic hardship as “exaggerated Western propaganda.” Segments glorify the war effort, showing pristine tanks and smiling soldiers, while ignoring the crumbling infrastructure and empty shelves back home. Any dissenting voice is quickly labeled иностранный агент (foreign agent) and silenced.
The Real Picture
Despite the rosy narrative on TV, the reality for most Russians is bleak. Food banks, a rarity before, have sprung up even in Moscow. Soup kitchens see lines stretching around the block, filled with everyone from pensioners to unemployed engineers. “We’re not just starving for food,” says Irina, a single mother of two. “We’re starving for hope.”
As long as the war rages and sanctions persist, the economic despair will deepen. While the Kremlin pours billions into its military machine, ordinary Russians are left with scraps. For now, they endure with grit and grim humor, saying, “Всё будет хорошо… если доживём” (“Everything will be fine… if we live that long”).