Putin’s Russia – A Society in the Shadows: What Do Russians Really Think?

How did an unremarkable KGB officer become one of the most powerful and controversial leaders in the world? In this special series of the 4 Minutes podcast, we closely follow Vladimir Putin’s rise to power – from his childhood in Soviet Leningrad to his intelligence career and the key moments of his rule that reshaped Russia and the world. What events shaped his policies? What are the roots of the current conflict? And what does the future hold for Russia?

Join us for this compelling series and understand how Putin’s Russia came to be. 🎙️

Transcript

In this episode, we focus on the heart of any regime: its society. What do ordinary Russians think today? What are their real opinions on the war, on Putin, and on the future of their country? And why is it so difficult to determine what they truly believe? In a country where speaking freely can lead to imprisonment, where the media is state-controlled, and where using the word “war” can be a criminal offense, public opinion must often be read between the lines.

According to official polling, most Russians support the so-called “special military operation.” But such numbers cannot be taken at face value. In authoritarian regimes, people are often afraid to speak honestly. Many give “safe” answers; others avoid the conversation entirely. In some cases, polls are conducted by phone, and respondents aren’t sure who is really on the other end. Fear acts as a filter.

Even so, cracks in the official narrative are visible. After the war began, hundreds of thousands of people left Russia – mostly young, educated urbanites. Not all of them were political activists. Many simply did not want to live in a country waging an offensive war. Others emigrated after the mobilization, realizing they could be called to serve. This quiet exodus sends a strong message – discontent exists, even if it doesn’t always take the form of protests in the streets.

Meanwhile, within Russia, a growing number of people have withdrawn into internal exile. They don’t vote, they don’t trust the media, and they avoid politics. It’s a passive but persistent form of resistance – a way of surviving within a system they no longer believe in. Others remain loyal – out of fear, convenience, or genuine belief in the propaganda. In rural areas and smaller towns, the state narrative still holds strong. Where alternative information is lacking, television dominates.

And yet, there are surprising acts of courage. Activists writing anti-Kremlin messages on banknotes. Artists embedding symbols of dissent in their work. Individuals risking prison over a single comment on social media. Mothers publicly criticizing the conscription of their sons. Their voices may be faint, but they exist – and the more they are silenced, the more important they become.

Russian society today balances between adaptation, fear, and quiet disagreement. It’s not a black-and-white picture, but a mosaic of attitudes, motivations, and emotions. Everyone copes with reality in their own way – some by fleeing, some by conforming, and some by resisting.

And it’s within this uncertainty that one of the biggest questions about Russia’s future lies. Will this passivity one day become resistance? Does silence mean consent – or is it simply waiting for the right moment?

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