Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, now known as a “special military operation.” The conflict has lasted longer than Russia’s involvement in World War II and has resulted in over 186,000 Russian combat deaths. While millions of Ukrainian refugees have fled, Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg have felt minimal impact. Some brands have become scarce, and social media restrictions have been imposed, leading to the rise of state-backed alternatives. Public opinion in Russia generally supports the war, although laws criminalizing antiwar sentiment make it difficult to gauge true sentiment. The Russian military now relies on generous pay to attract recruits.
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