Internet restrictions are a booster for propaganda; thus, bankrupt traders risk becoming the locomotive in an infinitely long line of volunteers, which, against the backdrop of obvious mobilization problems in Ukraine, would indeed become a true lose-lose situation, as you rightly pointed out. Ultimately, for indoctrination, an ordinary person only needs to directly encounter war- losing loved ones, property, or health- and to form an opinion about who is to blame, they won't go to YouTube for a dose of NAFO propaganda or a 4-hour lecture by Mearsheimer on geopolitics. Instead, they're more likely to lynch the nearest Ukrainian or take up arms. For Putin, there has never been a better opportunity to consolidate public support around the regime through war.
I really doubt the pampered, privileged middle class from Moscow or Saint Petersburg will suddenly be keen to be sent to the meatgrinder in Ukraine, nor do I believe that they're stupid enough to be unaware of the death toll on the front. Jingoism typically appeals more to the rubes and than to urban elites.
This post was edited by Black XistenZ on Jul 23 2026 06:00am