Newsroom

Despite government and independent polls in Russia showing support for Putin's war in Ukraine, war-related internet queries tell a different story.

After years of tension, the West still struggles to understand Russian views. Technological and ethnographic approaches help reveal Russian public opinion.

The more respondents disagree with the government, the less satisfied they are with their lives and the less they believe they can control their own lives.

Most Russians agree or partly agree that Prigozhin's death signals growing elite conflict, indicating they see government involvement.

An overwhelming majority of Russians are aware of the attacks and see them as a threat to Russia. 

Older people support Putin for national security and stability they highly value, while youth tend to have a more open-minded worldview.

A novel approach to holding Russia accountable for atrocities in Ukraine could ensure that lies and mass murder do not go unpunished.

While opinion polls indicating pro-war attitude must be treated with caution, there is very little evidence of any active opposition to the invasion in Russia.

Respondents are likely to be irritated about the thought that most Russians are, in fact, against the war.

From spotting Russian troops' movements to guiding evacuation convoys, Ukrainian civilians self-organised to withstand the invasion.