A Moscow advertising agency employee, a 38-year-old man, does not believe in a possible new large-scale business launch in Moscow. The independent Russian media Meduza wrote in September that a new business launch in Russia is inevitable.
If a large-scale campaign starts, there is no need to accept an invitation to the army, the man claims. does not publish the man’s name or picture, lest he get into trouble.
In this story, a man from Moscow tells what means the middle class has to resist the war and how the war is seen in the capital of Russia.
In what kind of situation do you answer these questions?
– I’m visiting my cousin in Greece. My cousin is half Finnish and lives here with her boyfriend. Times are tough for Russians who like to travel. You can’t go anywhere, and traveling is expensive.
How can Muscovites still travel?
– Many in my circle of acquaintances still travel. They mostly go to Turkey. Tickets are relatively cheap, although they are 3-4 times more expensive than before. Not many people get to Europe. Visas are more expensive than before and getting them is complicated.
I love Europe, so I have to look for alternatives and reduce my requirements. Before, we always chose a nice hotel and comfortable travel times.
Have you been to Finland and do you have relatives or friends there?
– As I remember, my aunt got married in Finland in 1993. In the same way that everyone was sent to their grandmother’s country, I was sent to my aunt in Finland on vacation when I was little. I spent a lot of time in Finland, especially in the summer.
I like Finland a lot. I even learned a little Finnish at summer school.
How do you talk about the war with your Finnish relatives?
– We talk about it all the time. All my Finnish relatives are very much against the war and are against Putin, especially my aunt. We have been discussing the same thing for almost two years. It’s terrible. Nothing can be done.
What do you think about war?
– The beginning of the war was one of the most horrible experiences of my life. I took the first months very hard, but now I’m used to the horrors. Morally, of course, it’s not good to say that, because how can you get used to war?
My close circle includes middle-class office workers in Moscow who work in private companies. The majority of them are against the war. Probably 30 percent are actively against it and a very small number support it.
Many posted only black pictures or Ukrainian flags on Facebook and Instagram after the war started. It is not right to enjoy life during war and show it.
I didn’t just post a black picture, I wrote what I thought about the war. I also wrote that when the war is over and it is possible to help Ukraine, I will definitely do it. Many Ukrainians I know supported me. I haven’t stopped posting updates about fun things, beer, or vacations. I’ll keep posting, but everyone knows what I’m really thinking.
A possible new business launch is expected in Moscow. What will you do if you get drafted into the army?
– I believe that the authorities will continue to do everything possible to ensure that people do not know when the invitations start. People are attracted with money and advertisements. So I don’t really believe in the second wave of invitations, nor that I or one of my friends will get an invitation. Of course, we cannot rule anything out, considering the situation at the front. At some point, the people who want to leave for the money run out.
If I get an invitation, there’s only one way to react: nothing. I’m not going anywhere, I’m not signing anything. Basically, in Moscow, the police don’t come after me and take me by force to the military recruitment office. So, in general, I’m not afraid.
How has the war affected your career or life?
– I work in an advertising agency. It used to be international, but now it is Russian. We had a lot of foreign customers, the world’s biggest companies. They spent a lot of money on advertising, so we had a good income. But after February, major suppliers left the Russian market or stopped advertising. Our company fired a lot of people. The salary of others was cut by 30 percent.
In the spring of 2022, it was thought that the sanctions would take effect immediately and everything would collapse. At the end of last year, it became clear that there was no economic catastrophe. In general, prices have risen by 30 percent, so life has become poorer.
What do you think about European countries restricting Russians from entering Europe?
– From the beginning I supported all sanctions because I hoped they would have an effect on Putin’s war. Then it became clear that in fact only me and my friends who travel as tourists and who oppose the war are the victims. On YouTube, bloggers promote Spanish, Portuguese and Cypriot visas. In other words, buy real estate in these countries and you will get the right to enter the Schengen area.
For people like me, traveling to Europe is becoming almost impossible. The mistresses of our civil servants, on the other hand, travel. They have the opportunity to buy real estate in Spain and continue their tourism. It’s unfair. The people who were supposed to be affected by these sanctions travel freely.
What do you think will happen in the war next year?
– Everything will probably remain the same. It is favorable for the administration. The front remains the same and Russia continues to destroy cities and Ukraine.
The construction of occupied areas continues so that those in power can once again launder money and exploit corruption. It’s terrible.
I don’t know what to call these areas. Many call them the imaginary territory of the Russian Federation. Conquered territories can be called some kind of achievement and thus sell the war to the Russians and demand new sacrifices from them.
What is being said about Russian President Vladimir Putin right now?
– To be honest, I try not to hear what he says. No one in my circle talks about him. You can only get angry, irritated and listen to him. I don’t have the energy for it anymore. I don’t even look at pictures of Putin in internet memes.
Who will be the next leader of Russia?
– I believe that the presidential elections will go according to plan. Putin remains in office. Thus, he still has many years ahead of him.
Wagner Director Yevgeny Prigozhin things could have turned out either way. It was a pity that Putin was somehow able to partially turn it to his advantage. There could be many more such events. I’m waiting to see what happens even after a year.
How do you feel about returning to Russia?
– I’m not afraid, and I don’t feel uncomfortable. I understand that it would be better to live outside of Russia, but I have a job in Moscow.
In addition, I think that the Russians who have left are beginning to misunderstand what is happening in the country. I am also interested in observing changes and people’s actions.
If someone finds out that I gave this interview, they might start a criminal case because it’s common practice. Most of the time, however, the administration advises people to leave in advance and thus tries to drive people away from Russia.