Tightly controlled Russian state media reacted angrily to deliveries of Western tanks promised to Ukraine this week – and that anger is shared by some Moscow residents.
Ukrainian tanks «will get in the way of our troops,» Sergei told CNN in the Russian capital. “But we will win regardless. It only escalates the conflict,” he said, repeating the Kremlin narrative that Ukraine is a puppet government of the West.
“It will cause another world war,” added an older woman. «We remember World War II well, when I was just a child. No one will win another world war.
But that’s not the only sight to be found on the streets of Moscow. A number of Russians have expressed exasperation with the conflict, and some have directly criticized President Vladimir Putin.
«It’s disgusting…they should never have started the war,» said one woman, calling Putin «guilty» of the invasion.
“There is a lack of public information,” another person said, expressing frustration with the pro-war propaganda filling the Russian airwaves. «Things should be explained to people…it would be nice if the experts started to express their true opinions instead of obeying the orders of the government and Putin.»
Others feel that the time has come for a Russian release. “I think this is a political war, not a war for the people. Let them solve this problem,” said another woman.
«What are we supposed to do?» Our opinion means to squat. »
A film student, who has friends who are fighting in the conflict, said: “I am on the verge of tears here. I just wish that this special military operation had never started in the first place, this war, and that human life was truly valued.