Social Impact of War in Russia: Loneliness and Mistrust

‘A hostile world’: As fear and mistrust reshape everyday life in wartime Russia, some are still finding ways to build community

Inside Russia, loneliness has become one of the war’s less visible but pervasive consequences. Many people are afraid to interact with others, because even an innocent conversation about peace could cost them their freedom — and so they remain alone with their pain. Others have lost interest in public life, seeing little opportunity to make a difference, and have focused on their families instead. It’s not only people with antiwar views who complain of isolation and fear, but also people who ...