Unraveling the Impact of Two Years of Ukraine War on Russia

Amid the somber atmosphere of Russians mourning opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s death, a young man drew a parallel with the shock he felt two years ago when the war started on February 24. Reflecting on the tumultuous two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the period has been marked by drama, bloodshed, and tragedy.

The conflict brought death and destruction to Ukraine, with significant losses for the Russian military. Russian towns experienced shelling and drone attacks, while hundreds of thousands of Russian men were drafted into the army. The Wagner mercenaries mutinied and marched on Moscow, with their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin later dying in a plane crash. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes. The death of Navalny, a prominent critic, on February 24, 2022, marked a turning point.

The direction of Russia’s actions had been evident earlier, starting with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and military intervention in the Donbas. Navalny’s poisoning in 2020 and subsequent imprisonment in 2021 reflected the intensification of domestic repression in Russia.

As the war progressed, Putin’s rhetoric grew more confident and determined, portraying the conflict in Ukraine as a battle against the “collective West” for Russia’s survival. The journalist reflects on the contrast between the early Putin years, marked by efforts toward cooperation with NATO and the European Union, and the current state of heightened confrontation and aggression.

Former NATO chief Lord Robertson noted the stark change in Putin’s demeanor over the years, from someone open to cooperation with NATO to a leader portraying Ukraine as not a sovereign nation. Lord Robertson even recalled Putin contemplating Russian membership in NATO, but this attitude evolved into a desire for Russia to be presented with membership.

The journalist emphasizes the uncertainties about how and when the conflict will end but reflects on the profound shift in Russia’s trajectory over the past two decades. The contrast with past optimism and cooperation underscores the challenges in understanding Russia’s motivations and actions on the international stage.

In Solnechnogorsk, a town near Moscow, the impact of the past two dramatic years is evident in the local park, where graffiti supports the Wagner mercenary group, flowers are placed in memory of Navalny, and a mural honors local soldiers killed in Ukraine. The journalist speaks with residents, capturing mixed sentiments – pride in local industry resilience and sorrow for the lives lost in the conflict.

The article paints a complex picture of Russia’s recent history, marked by geopolitical shifts, military interventions, and domestic repression. It highlights the human toll of the conflict and the evolving dynamics that have reshaped Russia’s relations with the West.