The level of pessimism and anxiety among residents of russia due to the war and economic difficulties has reached early 1990s levels. In July 2026, 66% of citizens stated they expect hard times ahead. This was reported by The Moscow Times citing Reuters, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
In July 2026, 66% of russia’s residents expressed the conviction that the country faces difficult times, according to a poll by the state-run VCIOM. Compared to the beginning of the year, the number of citizens with pessimistic views increased by a third or 16 percentage points.
Such levels of anxiety have been recorded for the first time in modern history and are comparable to the sentiment of 1991 and 1992, when the USSR collapsed and mass impoverishment began. Even in the mid-1990s, the share of pessimists ranged from 46% to 60%, while a higher level was recorded only in April 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Public sentiment worsens due to attacks
Prolonged hostilities, economic problems, and regular drone strikes on oil refineries and warehouses from Moscow to the Urals have significantly affected the psychological state of Russians. Experts note that residents of large cities realize the protracted nature of the confrontation and the lack of a quick exit from the situation.
At the same time, the destruction of the security system promised to citizens at the beginning of the leadership’s tenure has led to a sense of vulnerability across all segments of the population. This applies to military personnel and resort vacationers alike, as well as civilians in regions experiencing nighttime attacks.
Illustrative photo: ShinePhantom / CC BY-SA 3.0
