On Tuesday, Kyiv was shaken by yet another series of lethal attacks involving ballistic missiles and drone strikes, while Russian state media opted to ignore reports of the high-rise buildings damaged and vehicles set on fire.
Instead, Russian news outlets reported successful hits on multiple military installations in Ukraine, claiming that over 380 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted by the nation’s air defenses.
However, Russia’s own weaknesses are becoming increasingly apparent.
Local authorities confirmed that two civilians lost their lives in Russia during the overnight assaults. Additionally, reports have surfaced indicating that Moscow intends to permit postal workers to carry anti-drone weaponry.
These actions are indicative of how Ukraine’s growing drone operations are extending the conflict further into Russian territory, increasingly impacting the daily lives of average Russians.
On Saturday, Ukraine targeted locations in Russia, including Moscow, with hundreds of drones, marking one of its largest assaults of the conflict to date, showcasing its growing capability to execute long-range strikes against Russia.
A summer of attacks
For almost five years, the Kremlin has sought to shield a significant portion of its populace from the harsh truths of its extensive war against Ukraine, along with the subsequent economic repercussions.
However, this summer’s Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries, energy plants, and e-commerce warehouses have served as a stark reminder that Russia is not invulnerable.
“Since the recent active drone strikes on Russia — particularly in Moscow and surrounding areas — anxiety levels have significantly increased,” stated Tatiana, 66, who requested to be identified only by her first name. “While driving to our dacha with the children, we noticed a massive column of smoke. Naturally, that instills fear.”
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Tatiana, like others interviewed by CBC News for this piece, used voice messages on a messaging app to communicate. None were willing to provide their last names out of fear of repercussions for discussing the war with foreign media.
She mentioned that she sometimes tells her grandchildren that the noises waking them at night are due to construction work, as she doesn’t want to frighten them.
At her dacha, a rural residence, she noted that people are expressing concerns regarding the anxiety caused by the sound of drones flying overhead.
Vehicles queue to refuel at a Lukoil gas station in Moscow on Aug. 17, amid fuel shortages following Ukrainian air attacks on oil refineries in Russia and cuts in gasoline production. (Anastasia Barashkova/Reuters)
Ukrainian strikes on refineries and energy assets have led to a fuel shortage in Russia, resulting in long lines at gas stations, fuel rationing, and growing public discontent. Social media videos have shown altercations and disputes occurring at some stations.
The government has implemented measures to stabilize supply, including importing fuel from countries such as India. This is a notable step considering that Russia is one of the largest oil producers in the world.
This shortage has also fueled the popularity of GdeBENZ (Where is the Benzine), an application that helps drivers locate gas stations with available fuel.
Assessing public sentiment
Denis Volkov, director of the Moscow-based polling and research firm Levada Center, indicated that as the fuel crisis escalated earlier in the summer, surveys indicated rising levels of anxiety and decreasing approval ratings for the Russian government.
However, he noted that public sentiment has slightly improved as fuel availability has increased.
Levada’s August survey, released on Thursday, was conducted via video calls with 1,600 participants across Russia. Approximately one-quarter reported feelings of tension and fear, while nearly 60 percent described their mood as normal.
Around two-thirds reported experiencing difficulties with mobile internet, messaging applications, or fuel access. One-third indicated that the fuel shortage had significantly impacted their lives.
A woman gazes out from her apartment in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Aug. 25. A recent survey found that about one-quarter of Russians reported experiencing tension and fear. (Dmitri Lovetsky/The Associated Press)
“Economic concerns are paramount, along with the ongoing conflict,” Volkov stated in a phone interview with CBC News from Moscow.
Ksenia, 41, a single mother employed in the civil service in the capital, mentioned that the drone strikes do not fill her with excessive fear. However, she is grappling with escalating prices.
“It seems that no salary or freelance job can cover expenses anymore,” she conveyed in a message to CBC News.
“Is there any hope on the horizon? Who knows.”
Strained economy
The Russian economy is anticipated to expand by merely 0.4 percent this year, with many non-military sectors either stagnating or contracting. If Ukraine continues to target Russian assets, including oil and grain export infrastructure, the country’s economic growth may decline further.
Last month, Andrei Klepach, chief economist at Russia’s state development bank, was dismissed after publicly addressing the economic issues stemming from the war.
Recently, the Kremlin’s envoy for international development, Boris Titov, was quoted saying that the Russian economy could go “berserk” if the country persists on its unwavering war footing.
In August, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree granting the government the authority to seize infrastructure considered critically under-protected against drone attacks.
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“The nation is descending into a frightening abyss. Especially when reflecting on the economic outcomes of the past five years, it is disheartening,” remarked Vitaliy, 40, a businessman from Noginsk, situated about 40 kilometers east of Moscow.
Vitaliy operates a business supplying spare components to chemical plants. He shared that Western sanctions have hindered access to foreign-made parts, forcing the supply chain to rely on what he referred to as “domestic inferior products.”
“The business is collapsing. While I am not at my last piece of bread, I am extremely concerned for my future, my family’s, and my loved ones’ well-being.”
He expressed sadness over the strikes on e-commerce warehouses due to the repercussions they entail for other business owners.
Observers look on as warehouses belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, burn following a Ukrainian drone strike in Koledino, a small village in the Moscow region, on Aug. 16. (Stringer/Reuters)
One reassuring aspect for him is that his identification card indicates he is fit for military service “with restrictions.” He hopes this will suffice to keep him from being called up if the government initiates another mobilization.
In recent weeks, speculation has arisen that Russia is gearing up for another mobilization. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also suggested that this could occur following Russia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18 to 20.
The Kremlin has refuted claims of an impending large-scale draft, yet apprehension remains, and the New York Times recently interviewed men who are making plans to exit the country as a precaution.