‘The war came to us’: Russians feel Putin’s war closing in

A Wildberries warehouse in Krasnodar before and after strikes on 5 August

Ukraine’s expanding campaign against targets deep inside Russia is changing the atmosphere for ordinary people, bringing explosions, drone attacks and economic disruption closer to everyday life.

Strikes on oil facilities have been followed by attacks on Wildberries warehouses, with almost two dozen sites reportedly hit across Russia. For some Russians, the war they once watched from afar is becoming impossible to ignore.

‘This Summer the War Truly Came to Us’

Olya, a mother of two living near Moscow, said repeated explosions had transformed her sense of security. She described hearing drones and blasts for three consecutive nights, lying in bed holding her children and fearing a direct hit.

She said she had never supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and believed retaliation was inevitable. “A war cannot be one-sided,” she said.

A pensioner in the Urals expressed a similar view, saying she felt sorry for business owners whose livelihoods had been destroyed but arguing that Russia had to expect a response after starting the conflict.

The Economic Shock Is Spreading

Wildberries and rival Ozon are used by around 90% of Russia’s population, making their distribution networks crucial for consumers, particularly in remote areas.

The attacks have reportedly prompted compensation payments to around 185,000 vendors, while Russia’s central bank has raised its 2026 inflation forecast from 4.5-5.5% to 6-7%, citing factors including higher fuel prices.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has warned that destroying the normal economy could ultimately threaten the country itself — an unusually stark message as the war increasingly disrupts civilian life.

War Fatigue Is Giving Way to Anger

Not everyone wants the attacks to stop. Katya, a manufacturing executive in Yekaterinburg, supports Russia’s military campaign and argues that Ukrainian strikes are legitimate attacks on an enemy.

Across state television, some commentators are instead demanding an even harder response, while discussion of tactical nuclear weapons has become increasingly routine.

Russians Are Trapped in a ‘New Normal’

Political commentator Andrey Kolesnikov said many Russians are exhausted by the conflict but have adapted to fuel shortages, disrupted mobile data and drone attacks.

He said many people desperately want peace but increasingly feel powerless to influence events. As the war moves closer to their homes and businesses, Russia’s civilian population is being forced to confront a conflict that once seemed safely distant.

‘We poked a hornet’s nest’: For Russians, Putin’s war suddenly feels far too close