Putin’s War Supporters Are Asking: What Was It All For?

I examine a striking change in Russia’s commentary class: figures from sharply different political camps are openly describing the costs and failures of the war against Ukraine. Andrey Kovalev recalls expectations that Kyiv would fall quickly and calls the conflict a “horrific war,” while Leonid Gozman argues that Russian support for armed groups in Donbas after 2014 sustained the conflict from the start. Their comments expose the gap between Kremlin assumptions after Crimea and the reality of a resilient Ukrainian state.

I also look at Maxim Kalashnikov’s warning that a prolonged war, reserve mobilization, economic strain, and demographic losses could “ruin everything” for Russia—while Finland and Sweden have moved into NATO. I assess claims of anomalous turnout patterns benefiting United Russia and unpack Margarita Simonyan’s attempt to redefine what European leaders mean by “European values.” The strategic question is whether these voices reflect isolated frustration or a deeper recognition of Russia’s self-inflicted costs.

00:00 Russian Commentators Confront the War’s Costs

04:41 Leonid Gozman on Donbas and Russia’s 2014 Role

08:58 Pro-War Voices Warn of Russia’s Strategic Costs

12:10 United Russia Turnout and Election Anomalies

14:34 Simonyan’s Claim About European Values

17:28 Russia’s Growing Internal Debate

#UkraineRussiaWar #RussianPolitics #NATO #Finland #Sweden #RussianPropaganda

Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. Principle over partisanship.

Here is the direct link to the Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/

***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: *****

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes

Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes

YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership

🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine

https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

*****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: *****

🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine.

Here is the direct link to the Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/

🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20

🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/

***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE ***

🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes

🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow.

🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE

🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine.

🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email professorgerdesyt@gmail.com

#UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR