Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The situation in Russia is not the same after President Vladimir Putin’s military operation in Ukraine. Now, November and December are said to be the saddest months in Moscow.
“The atmosphere in Moscow and the countryside is now very gloomy, desolate, intimidated and hopeless,” said Lisa, 34, a Muscovite who works as a film producer, citing CNN InternationalThursday (11/24/2022).
“The planning horizon is lower than ever. People have no idea what could happen tomorrow or a year from now.”
It is said that Russian life is never the same. Putin’s surprise attack on Ukraine has led to massive sanctions from the West that have stalled the country’s economy. No wonder so many shops are closed on many streets in the capital.
While the shelves of most stores remain well stocked, Western goods are becoming scarcer and more expensive. Rising prices are making it difficult for many Russian families to survive.
“Familiar items have disappeared, starting with toilet paper and Coke, ending with clothes,” says Lisa. “Sure, you can get used to all of this, it’s definitely not the worst.”
Lisa has also criticized Western governments and companies that have abandoned the Russian market in response to attacks from Ukraine. “I really don’t know how this helps resolve conflicts, because it’s about ordinary people, not the decision-makers,” Lisa says.
Some economists believe Russia will face mounting economic hardship and a population that will become increasingly critical of special military operations as Kremlin forces are defeated in parts of Ukraine.
Sergey Javoronkov, a senior fellow at the Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy, said the mood was more critical than ever.
“This is due to the cheap price and dissatisfaction with unfinished tasks, contrary to the expectations created by the Kremlin,” he said.
“We should have won. The officials promised to take Kiev in three days, but, as we have seen, it turned out to be stupid,” he explained.
“In his February 24 speech, (Russian President) Vladimir Putin said that the military operation would be conducted only by professional troops. But a partial mobilization was announced in September, also an unpopular measure. Those who do not they wish to fight are in the process of being recruited”.
“It’s a well-known effect: a short victory in war can generate enthusiasm, but if the war goes on forever and doesn’t bring the desired results, then disappointment will follow,” he concluded.
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