The sound arrives before the impact. The buzzing of a propeller engine, the movement of a drone descending through the air, followed by the explosion. For residents of cities across Russia, the war that once appeared distant and contained within television screens is increasingly becoming part of everyday life.
In a feature published by Die Zeit, journalist Michael Thumann describes a growing sense of unease among Russians as drone attacks, rising prices, internet restrictions and economic uncertainty reshape daily routines. The report, titled “Väterchen Frust,” explores how the fifth year of Russia’s war against Ukraine is affecting ordinary citizens and examines whether mounting frustration could create political pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
The article follows residents who describe living under conditions of uncertainty while avoiding public criticism because speaking openly about the war and government policies can carry risks. Among them is Natalja Iwanowa, a resident of Taganrog in southern Russia, who recounts the aftermath of a drone strike that damaged her apartment building.
Iwanowa was away in Moscow when the strike occurred and only discovered the destruction after returning home. She found shattered windows, a damaged frame and two chandeliers that had fallen from the ceiling. Although she repaired the windows, she said she was still attempting to receive financial assistance promised by the Russian government for victims of drone attacks.
Her question — “When will all this finally stop?” — reflects the broader uncertainty described in the report. While Russian cities have not experienced destruction on the scale seen in many Ukrainian communities, the article highlights how the effects of the war are increasingly reaching Russian civilians through disruptions to security, infrastructure and economic stability.
According to Die Zeit’s report, the appearance of Ukrainian drones over Russian territory has weakened a long-standing sense of protection among many citizens. Moscow residents had grown accustomed to the idea that Russia’s military power and status as a nuclear superpower made the country largely untouchable. The repeated drone strikes have challenged that perception.
The report describes several attacks that have affected infrastructure, including fuel facilities, transportation routes and energy sites. These incidents have also contributed to rising fuel prices and increased public concern about the country’s vulnerability.
In Moscow’s suburbs, residents described nights interrupted by explosions and uncertainty. Olga Tschernowa, a mother of two schoolchildren, recalled waking during a night of drone attacks when explosions shook her apartment. She said residents received no warnings from authorities and that there were no nearby shelters available. Since then, she said, she has struggled with sleep and has become increasingly angry with officials.
The report notes that such frustrations are emerging at a time when Russian authorities continue to emphasize military strength through state media, including presentations of advanced weapons systems. The contrast between official messages of security and the reality experienced by some residents has contributed to growing dissatisfaction.
Economic pressure is another major factor highlighted in the article. In central Moscow, restaurants and cafés that once attracted regular customers have begun closing, particularly businesses serving middle-class residents. Rising taxes, higher prices and reduced consumer spending have created challenges for many small businesses.
A Moscow resident interviewed in the report said he was considering leaving Russia because living costs had become increasingly difficult to manage. He described watching his savings decline while everyday expenses continued to rise. Like many others, he had stopped visiting restaurants and had become more cautious about spending.
The impact is also visible in supermarkets. The report describes ordinary shoppers facing unexpectedly high bills for basic goods. A family shopper at a Moscow supermarket was unable to pay for her full purchase after the total exceeded what was available on her bank card. She removed several items, including chocolate and dairy products, before completing the purchase.
Economist Natalja Subarewitsch told Die Zeit that the economic pressure was particularly affecting Russia’s middle class. Rising costs for food, utilities, transportation and healthcare are making previously accessible aspects of daily life increasingly difficult. She described the inflation as part of a broader structural economic challenge.
The report states that Russia’s industrial sector is also facing difficulties, with many companies shrinking and some factories reducing employment. The exception has been industries linked directly to the war effort and energy production. Businesses outside those sectors are struggling to compete for workers because military-related industries offer significantly higher wages.
One entrepreneur interviewed in the article described abandoning local manufacturing after years of operation. His factory produced electronic products for a Chinese company, but increasing labor costs made production in Russia less competitive. He eventually decided to leave manufacturing and move into trade.
The article connects these developments to Putin’s earlier economic strategy of encouraging domestic production after Western sanctions were introduced following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. According to the report, the current economic environment has created challenges for that approach.
Daily life has also been affected by restrictions on digital services. The report describes repeated disruptions to mobile networks and messaging platforms, creating problems for banking, transportation applications, communication and online services. For a highly digitalized society, these interruptions have become a significant source of frustration.
Interestingly, the article notes that some of the strongest criticism has come from supporters of the war, including pro-Kremlin military bloggers. These figures have criticized internet restrictions and government decisions, arguing that such measures harm Russia’s ability to function effectively during wartime.
Polling data cited in the report indicates increasing concern among the population. According to the independent Levada Center, many Russians describe the situation in the country as tense, while interest in frontline developments has declined. The report states that frustration is growing, although this has not translated into broad opposition against Putin.
Levada Center sociologist Lev Gudkov told Die Zeit that many Russians feel there is no clear way out of the current situation. However, he said many people do not directly associate military failures or domestic problems with Putin himself. The report describes how state messaging often shifts responsibility toward lower-level officials rather than the president.
