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In Russia, Kremlin shows signs of worry over war weariness
The Christian Science Monitor • • world
Key Points:
- Russia’s Supreme Court upheld the ban on the liberal Yabloko party from participating in upcoming Duma elections, effectively silencing the only explicit anti-war political voice amid the Ukraine conflict.
- The removal of Yabloko suggests the Kremlin is uncomfortable with the potential size of anti-war sentiment among the Russian public, as war-related hardships increasingly affect daily life.
- Despite ongoing support for Russian forces, surveys indicate growing public desire for peace negotiations, with increasing perceptions of political tension and declining overall happiness among Russians.
- Ukrainian drone attacks targeting consumer infrastructure and warehouses, including major online retailers like Wildberries, have severely impacted Russia’s small-business sector, causing economic distress and pessimism.
- While trust in government institutions is waning, small-business owners are expected to respond cautiously by reducing investments and diversifying operations rather than abandoning their enterprises.
