How has Russia changed in the four years of the Ukraine war?

Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fifth year with no clear end in sight. Analyst Dmitry Oreshkin says many Russians expect negotiations to follow Kremlin‑defined terms, while everyday hardship grows as wages stagnate and prices rise. Despite public frustration, elites remain loyal, keeping Putin firmly in power. The prolonged conflict continues to carry steep political and economic costs for Russia.