Quotes of the Week

Week-ending 12 September 2025

‘Overall, more than half of those surveyed (58%) say that the special operation has affected their lives and the lives of their families to one degree or another. […] Those affected by the special operation primarily noted the death of loved ones (30%) or the participation of relatives, friends, or acquaintances in combat operations (28%).’

– Levada Centre, 9 September 2025 [translation by RiR]

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‘The growth in respondents’ optimism about the imminent end of hostilities in Ukraine, which began in July 2024, came to a halt in August 2025 and returned to the level seen in late 2022 and early 2023. One percent of respondents believe the hostilities will last no more than a month, 3% believe they will last from one to two months, 12% believe they will last from two to six months, 20% believe they will last from six months to a year (a decrease of 7 percentage points since January 2025), and 39% believe they will last more than a year (an increase of 7 percentage points since January 2025). […] Over the past year and a half, the proportion of Russians who have been greatly affected by the special military operation has increased to 22% (an increase of 6 percentage points), and the proportion of those who say that the special operation has not affected them at all has increased to 40% (an increase of 6 percentage points). Overall, more than half of those surveyed (58%) say that the special operation has affected their lives and the lives of their families to one degree or another. […] Those affected by the special operation primarily noted the death of loved ones (30%) or the participation of relatives, friends, or acquaintances in combat operations (28%). One-fifth of respondents (20%) affected by the special operation are emotionally distressed (sad, sorrowful, afraid, worried), 14% note rising prices, worsening financial circumstances, and a difficult economic situation, 6% note the destruction of family ties, and 4% note the consequences of sanctions. Those who were “strongly” affected by the special operation more often spoke about the death of loved ones (36%), the participation of relatives, friends, and acquaintances in military operations at the moment (32%), and a large number of wounded and disabled people (5%). Those who were “not greatly” affected by the special operation more often mentioned emotional distress (23%) and rising prices and worsening financial circumstances (19%).’

Source: ‘Konflict s Ukrainoi: vnimanie, podderzhka, otnoshenie k peregovoram, predstavleniya o srokakh spetsoperatsii, ee vliyanie na zhizn’ respondentov v avguste 2025,’ Levada Centre, 9 September 2025 [translation by RiR]