Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, life in cities like Tver presents a paradox. Military recruitment posters adorn buildings and bus stops, urging citizens to join the fight. Yet for many, the war remains distant, something witnessed only through television screens.
Mikhail, a local teacher, describes the contrast: “Cars are passing by, shops are open. No sirens, no evacuations. Life feels normal.” But for others, like Anna, the war is deeply personal. “I know people who went off to fight,” she says. “Some never came home.”
The Kremlin continues to frame the invasion as a “special military operation,” a narrative reinforced by state-controlled media. “In a society, people prefer to be in the mainstream,” explains Andrei Kolesnikov, a journalist with Novaya Gazeta. “If TV says we are at war with the West, people accept it. It’s easier not to think too much.”
Some, like Larissa and her husband Valery, embrace this perspective wholeheartedly. “We’re all for the operation,” Larissa says. “We hope Russia will be victorious. We want Ukraine’s total capitulation.”
Despite these strong pro-war sentiments, economic struggles are evident. Yulia, a mother rocking her baby in a pram, voices a common concern: “Prices are so high now, especially for basics like potatoes and onions. I feel it.” The war’s economic toll has affected many, even those who remain politically disengaged.
Amid this backdrop, U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to the international stage has sparked intrigue. While his administration has already engaged in direct talks with Moscow without Ukraine his position remains unpredictable.
“Trump is a dark horse,” Anna says. “I’m not sure what to expect from him.”
Mikhail shares a similar skepticism: “Unfortunately, Trump hasn’t got a plan. He improvises. My sympathies are with him, but regarding this war, we’re all in the dark including Trump himself.”
Despite speculation about renewed U.S.-Russia relations, deep-seated distrust remains. When a Western news crew visited Tver, local authorities and state TV quickly intervened, reinforcing the narrative of free speech while simultaneously monitoring foreign journalists.
Ultimately, after three years of war, Russians continue to navigate a landscape shaped by propaganda, economic hardship, and uncertainty over what the future holds both for their country and for the world.
