– Nobody thought this would happen. No one thought Putin would actually invade Ukraine. Everything happened so fast, says Sasha.
For fear of reprisals, the young woman wishes to remain anonymous, and she is therefore only mentioned by first name.
The student describes the last time as unreal. She thinks it is frightening how the Russian authorities are now tightening their grip.
– I feel that everything in Russia is escalating now, considering new laws and rules that restrict freedom of expression. But we Russians are used to the state restricting our freedom of expression – it is nothing new, she says.
Fears Russia will be completely isolated
Recently, harsh sanctions from the West have ravaged her home country. As a result of the sanctions, Sasha’s parents have lost their jobs, she says.
Russia has become more isolated from the outside world. She fears that the situation will only get worse in the future.
– Life will never be the same again. Now I feel that a completely closed society like North Korea is the next stop for Russia, she says.
Sasha tells about friends who have been arrested for participating in a demonstration.
– The police stop people on the subway and go through their mobile phones. They are looking for apps Russia has blocked, such as Facebook and Twitter. They also look through messages on Telegram, to see if people are talking about upcoming protests, she says.
Consciously does not read Russian media
The fact that the West is blocking social media in Russia only contributes to creating an information bubble, she believes.
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have been blocked for Russian citizens, unless you use a so-called VPN. VPN is a solution that allows you to trick the system into thinking that you are in another country, and thus gain access.
– The blockade only makes the propaganda to Russia more accessible to people, when it becomes more difficult to access other channels than Russian media. But consciously I do not read Russian newspapers and I do not watch Russian TV.
– BLOCKED: She tries to seek out information from independent sources. Photo: Private
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She says that several of the independent Russian media have also been blocked by the state, and that it is difficult to find information that can be trusted.
– I try to follow the experts from the independent media on other platforms, such as YouTube.
But sometimes she also gets annoyed with international news media.
“Sometimes I get angry when I come across incorrect news articles about Russia from the international media,” she says.
Expert: Can go two ways
Sasha is afraid that the authoritarian regime in Russia will escalate.
There may be two ways in the future, says Jakub Godzimirski. He is a Russia expert and works at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy (NUPI).
– Tighter grip: Jakub Godzimirski believes we will see Russia continue with a tight grip on the population. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2
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– There are two main lines in the Western debate. There are those who believe the war will lead to an end to Putin’s regime, and then there are the others, who also have a good bearing on Russia, who believe the war will lead to an even more authoritarian regime in the country, Godzimirski says.
He continues:
– Personally, I think it will be quite similar to today, but that Russia will generally keep a slightly tighter grip on the population.
– The West has good cards on hand
Godzimirski believes it is not necessary to draw comparisons to a totally closed country like North Korea, but rather draws the lines of the old Soviet Union.
– North Korea is a very extreme case. It is difficult to have iron control in a country as large as Russia. People are very good at finding information from outside. And the reprisals will not be as extreme as in North Korea.
As for new sanctions against Russia, he believes the West still has good cards left in hand.
– It may go in the direction that the outside world puts a stop to what Russia will be allowed to sell on the international market. It is also possible that Russia will have limited access to modern technology, says Godzmirski.
Think Putin is singing the last verse
Inna Sangadzhieva is a senior adviser to the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. She grew up in the Russian republic of Kalmykia, and as a teenager experienced the fall of the Soviet Union.
– RUSSIA KNOWLEDGE: Inna Sangadzhieva does not think Putin has much time left as president. Photo: The Norwegian Helsinki Committee
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She says that three common features of those who support Putin are that they watch Russian TV, are interested in careers and have good advice.
– Those who are opposed usually do not watch Russian TV. They use the internet and social media, and spend time understanding how things are connected. Many of them are academics and well-educated people, but there are also many young people, she says.
She believes Russia now faces three possible scenarios: that Putin’s closest intervenes, or that Putin uses nuclear weapons, something she does not think will happen. And the third:
– That Russia is gradually becoming poorer. There are only a few months left before Russia’s economy collapses, according to economists, and sanctions will continue to come.
However, Sangadzhieva is convinced that Putin will not have much time left as president.
Can not afford to leave Russia
Russian Sasha tells TV 2 that most of her everyday life is as normal, except that some foods have become more difficult to obtain.
– Prices are rising and it is becoming more difficult to get hold of goods such as olive oil and coffee. Many hoard food. There is a certain panic, she says.
And for the simple reason that she is Russian, Sasha does not feel very popular during the day.
– I know many in Ukraine. I do not want to say that the situation has ruined my relationship with them. No one has been aggressive towards me, but many Ukrainians are trying to get us Russians to take to the streets and protest.
Several of her acquaintances have already left their motherland. Sasha must stay.
– I have friends who have already left Russia for countries like Georgia, Poland and the Czech Republic. But I can not go. I can not afford it.
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