Recently, Russia has seen growing protest activity. Citizens increasingly organize rallies, pickets, and video appeals to address various social and economic problems. However, almost no one openly protests against the war with Ukraine—most activism focuses on domestic issues.
Common protest causes include salary delays, poor infrastructure, restrictions on freedom of speech, and blocked internet platforms. For instance, residents of Anapa district protested the seizure of their land, while demonstrations in Krasnodar erupted over plans to build a new Russian Orthodox Church. In Sudzha, people took to the streets after promised compensations were canceled.
Russian enterprises are also facing difficulties, with some reducing the workweek or stopping wage payments. This is a result of war policy and economic pressure, including falling oil prices and international sanctions.
The protests remain small in scale and decentralized, mainly focused on daily concerns: economic hardship, rising taxes, and censorship. It is expected that with worsening economic conditions, discontent will increase. However, significant antiwar protests have not been observed so far.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to intensify pressure on the Russian economy and support its military units. Thanks to ongoing public support, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are regularly supplied with drones and equipment to counter enemy forces.
