We keep telling ourselves a lie — because it’s easier that way. The lie is that Russians are trapped, brainwashed, helpless. That they hate what’s happening but can’t say so. That if they could just breathe free, they’d be horrified by what’s done in their name.
But they aren’t horrified. Most aren’t even confused. They are, by and large, fine with it.
Russians are not even slaves. They are volunteers.
Slaves, at the very least, know they’re in chains. Russians? They sing while marching to the front. They boast about the missiles. They film the bombings like fireworks and call it victory.
This is a hard thing to say — and harder to accept. I wanted to believe, for a long time, that fear explained it all. That if you just chipped away at the propaganda, people would wake up.
But you can’t wake someone who’s comfortable in the dark.
It’s been over three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And yet — despite every atrocity, every flattened city, every kidnapped child — the support inside Russia hasn’t cracked. If anything, it’s hardened. “We’ll take Odesa next,” they say. “Glory to our boys.” Not in whispers. Not in secret. Out loud, and proud.
Voice of Ukraine 