The world is rallying to support Ukraine as it defends its home, people, and freedom against the Russian invasion. And plenty of Russians are also denouncing Vladimir Putin’s war, both at home and abroad. Some of them are sharing their open and honest thoughts on the internet.
Russian redditors opened up about what they think about the war in Ukraine in a viral thread on r/AskReddit. It’s clear from these internet users’ answers that they are horrified by what’s happening. And the vast majority of those in the thread support Ukraine. Scroll down to read their thoughts.
To date, over 6,400 Russians have been arrested since February 24 for protesting the invasion of Ukraine.
The situation, both in Ukraine and internationally, is very fluid which means that things change incredibly rapidly, literally by the hour. Some facts become outdated very quickly; others turn out not to be facts at all. Always keep this in mind and remember to double (and triple!) check anything you read online, dear Pandas.
Bored Panda spoke about how to recognize Russian propaganda and how to fight against disinformation online with Mike Sington, a former Senior Executive at NBCUniversal, who has a deep understanding of how news media and social media work. "Know that big tech is now taking active steps to minimize or eliminate Russian propaganda from all the major social media platforms. This ranges from Facebook and Instagram blocking Russian state-run media and actively stopping disinformation campaigns, to Twitter, which is removing manipulated content, and adding warning labels to Russian state-affiliated media," he shared.
Mike stressed the fact that when posting information about the war on social media, "there’s nothing more important than to get it correct."
We also got in touch with the author of the Reddit thread that started the entire discussion, u/Dull-Caterpillar3153, who shared their perspective on the war. "I’m happy the thread got the exposure that it did because it’s a topic of personal and global interest. Many of us live outside of Russia and have not a clue on how and what Russian people are thinking. Many great Russian people responded to my question and they gave interesting answers. The vast majority strongly disagreed with the conduct of Russia." Scroll down for both exclusive interviews.
#21
im not russian but some of the attacks are dangerously close to borders of other countries, mine included. im kinda scared and depressed at the same time, i can only expect influx of ukrainian immigrants. and i very much hope that f**kface putin gets assasinated
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77points
#22
I'm Russian university student, living in Kazan. Currently residing in university's dorms.
Today, while I was on lectures, someone hanged posters on balconies, so they could face the streets, with writing such as "Stop the war!" and "Putin get out of the Ukraine!". When I came, there was the whole f**king police squad, looking through camera footage to find those people. From what I've heard, those guys will get expelled, if not sued for extremism. For a goddamn posters.
So yeah, suppression of public disapproval is no joke.
I've talked only to a certain demographic of people, a.k.a. university students, but there's almost universal disapproval of the invasion. There was one exception, but the girl who approved has family in the government and nobody likes her. At all. So she doesn't count.
As for the general atmosphere, everyone is on edge. I'm really anxious. My roommates are too. One of them says they'll go to the protest, if there will be any. Other roommate is depressed, eating candy, thinking worst case scenarios. None of them believes Russia will come out a winner out of this war.
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69points
#23
My brother is doing his military service. 20 year old kids with no military experience who have no other choice but sleep in the forest and wait for commands. Families are told that they won't get any news for at least a week, maybe even for a month. F**k Putin.
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65points
#24
You know all those hypothetical questions we always ask — if we could go back in time, make sure to kill Hitler before he starts s**t?
Well….wish someone would’ve taken one for the team.
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65points
#25
I f**king hate our government and patriots. They had low salary because of 2014, now they have no future and still screaming that Putin is greatest dictator and Ukrainians are just nazis and we going to save russians from them...
I'm 19 and my future is ruined because of these bastards, i don't know how to stop this, all i know is i must run from this country while planes still flying (But sadly, every civilized country won't accept me).
I remember times when i wanted to visit Kyiv, Ivano-Frankhovsk and other places and countries. Now i understand that this is end for us, world isn't gonna forgive Russia for these crimes, i hope invasion will be fast and without innocent casualties (cause if it won't be fast, casualties will be catastrophic on both sides), Ukrainian people always where like brothers for me. I visited Odessa two times, very kind and lovely people here, now my country going to burn it all... I'm sorry, i hope I won't get caught by army and i don't want to come to Kyiv with a rifle in my hands.
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61points
#27
I teach English Language. This quarter I have a young husband and wife in my class. In last week’s writing assignment I asked everyone to write about a time they had to move. They have been here since September 2021.
The husband wrote that they moved to the US because of the tensions between Ukraine and Russia. He said his religion forbids killing and if he stayed, he’d be forced to fight. He misses his mother.
His wife wrote the same.
59points
#28
Deeply shocked and terrified, I don’t know a single real person who supports it, every person I’ve spoken with is in a pure state of horror. Until the last moment we couldn’t believe that this would actually happen and they would do this and we are horrified as we have no idea what will happen next to both countries. It’s already hard to live with the realization that your country is a world enemy and it makes it even harder considering that we are talking about Ukraine and Ukrainians as we never wanted to fight with them and still don’t want to.
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55points
