Russian Youth Confront Four Years of War: A Generation Divided

As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its fifth year, a new generation finds itself grappling with a conflict that has redefined their future, reshaped their identities, and forced them to navigate increasingly treacherous political waters. While state-sponsored propaganda dominates public discourse, many young Russians maintain anti-war views despite growing risks.

Four young Russians—each coming of age during this pivotal moment in history—recently shared their experiences with independent news outlet Meduza, offering rare insights into how the war has altered their perception of themselves and their country.

“I was 16 in 2022. I remember the day the full-scale war began,” recalls Polina, now 20, a journalism student from Siberia. “Our first class that day was history. Everyone was in complete shock and horror.”

Like many Russians her age, Polina describes a gradual shift from initial confusion to growing concern as the reality of the invasion settled in. “No matter how hard I’ve tried to find reasons for this war, I still don’t understand,” she says.

For Polina’s generation, the war has shattered once-promising futures. College opportunities have narrowed, with preference given to children of those fighting in Ukraine. International mobility has diminished dramatically as sanctions and travel restrictions have isolated Russia from the global community.

Makar, an 18-year-old law student from central Russia, experienced the war’s personal toll early on. “Some of my relatives were mobilized; sadly, they were killed,” he says. “Two were mobilized, and both came back in coffins.”

Now facing potential conscription himself, Makar describes a climate of fear at his university, where military officers regularly visit to encourage students to sign contracts and join the fight. “If you don’t show up [to their lectures], you’re summoned to the office,” he explains.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a volunteer with the Committee Against Torture, Makar lives with constant anxiety about being reported by classmates who support the war. “There have been cases of students being expelled over their views or for things they said in class,” he notes.

The war has created deep ideological divisions among young Russians. Marina, a 19-year-old law student from Moscow, describes how social media algorithms initially pushed her toward pro-war content. “I remember thinking that something strange was happening, but maybe it wasn’t so bad,” she recalls. “It felt temporary, like it would pass quickly.”

As travel restrictions tightened and the economy deteriorated, Marina’s perspective changed. Yet even among close friends, political discussions remain fraught with danger. “Now that you can be fined or even jailed for almost anything, people don’t express their opinions,” she explains.

For Sergey, a 20-year-old pedagogical student, the war represents an ongoing nightmare that has revealed disturbing truths about his society. “It feels like people have become bloodthirsty,” he says. “They seem kind and decent, and then you hear what they say about the war and about Ukrainians.”

Sergey describes his college as a “Z-university” filled with military propaganda. “You walk in and immediately see ads for military contracts, drone units, flyers everywhere,” he says. Students are regularly instructed to write letters to soldiers at the front, with little room to object.

Despite his strong anti-war stance, Sergey has recently begun considering how he might help veterans readjust to civilian life—a complex moral compromise he believes necessary for Russia’s future. “The state has betrayed these soldiers, too,” he reflects. “They could become agents of change if they’re engaged with properly.”

All four young Russians express uncertainty about their futures. Some contemplate emigration while others hope to wait out the war, clinging to the belief that better days must eventually come. As Polina puts it, “There’s this fear: if we leave, we’ll miss the moment when Russia becomes free. But if we don’t leave, they’ll close the iron curtain and we’ll never get out at all.”

Their testimonies reveal a generation caught between hope and despair, struggling to maintain their values while navigating an increasingly repressive society shaped by war. As the conflict enters its fifth year, these young Russians represent a quiet resistance within a country where dissent carries growing personal risk.