Russia’s war against Ukraine has created a conflict that has lasted nearly three years, and a large part of the Russian people have been deeply affected by this situation.
Due to the economic collapse, the devastating consequences of sanctions, and the ongoing repression, many Russian citizens are forced to leave their country. Moreover, the fear of being drafted into the army or being punished for voicing their anti-war views is further fueling this wave of migration.
Despite Russia’s propaganda that it is waging the war to “secure control over parts of Ukraine,” the real issue for citizens is the end of bloody conflicts and international ostracism. Although the Kremlin is trying to turn this war into a major state deal, the people want to return to an environment where their children will not be sent to fight and where they can freely express their opinions on social media. One of the most important consequences of the war is economic sanctions and constantly rising inflation. The Russian ruble has lost value, while interest rates have reached high levels of 21%.
The price increases for food and basic consumer goods are reflected in economic discussion content that has become as popular as ASMR or Reaction videos. These topics, which are frequently discussed especially on Vlog or Podcast channels, explain the factors that make people’s daily lives much more difficult. South Korea has become the new address for Russian refugees.
Refugee applications, which increased fivefold in 2023, have become a place of escape for Russians who do not want to face the threat of compulsory military service in their country.
Similarly, there are hundreds of thousands of people who have crossed into neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan and Armenia. Many people who serve in the Russian army or have been drafted into the military have faced accusations of “desertion” following Putin’s partial mobilization declaration. Some live in fear of being sent back to the front if they are caught. While the signals from the Donald Trump administration to resume talks with the Kremlin have created a small hope in the Russian people during this process, Ukraine and Western countries are tightening their sanctions and military support policies, weakening the possibility of a quick exit from the war. Russian deserters seeking asylum in the West are trying to make their stories known in formats such as “Documentary”, “Short Film” or “Trailer”, but these people often face major obstacles to entering EU countries due to insufficient travel documents. On the other hand, Russia’s war spending has reached record levels, with more than 40 percent of the Kremlin’s budget going to military spending.
This creates economic pressure that has led to entertainment content such as Fortnite or Minecraft losing their place in the Russian internet world. According to experts, Russia’s active equipment count will only approach the time when the war began by the end of 2024, but the shortage of armored vehicles and personnel carriers is particularly critical.
The situation is no different on the Ukrainian side. Although aid from the West continues, the Kiev government needs many more soldiers and modern weapons. According to analysts, 2025 will be Ukraine’s “year of challenge” and will require large-scale external support to increase its offensive capacity.
From a social perspective, the expectation of peace is weakening among the Russian people who are tired of the war. Those who left the country are worried about their future even when watching TikTok Trends or Gaming videos. Their biggest fear is that they will be surrendered to military courts or completely excluded from social life if they return to Russia.
The economic and moral damage caused by the prolonged war shows that even if the war ends one day, Russian society will need a long-term recovery process. As a result, Putin’s war has made the future of millions of Russians uncertain and forced them to leave the country.