Is war necessary in the Donbass and will it strengthen the “Russian world”? Survey
2022.02.22
President Vladimir Putin approved decrees on the independence of the LPR and DPR, and then, after a meeting of the State Duma and the Federation Council, at which decisions of the “Russian world” were adopted, laws on the ratification of treaties of friendship and unification with the republics. Officially, this represents a specific aggression that is manifested against the parties of Ukraine in relation to the DPR and LPR, and, nevertheless, requires that the Ukrainian side categorically not recognize. By tonight, the situation has escalated even more due to the fact that Putin went through the Federation Council for an association on the association of the Russian army abroad, and the relevant committees recommended giving him such an offer.
We spoke to people on the streets of Yekaterinburg about what they think of the latest decisions and the possibility of a war in the Donbass.
Supporters of the recognition of the independence of the LDNR are mostly people over 60 years old. “We need girls. They are ours!”, “Our brothers and sisters live there! They are killed every day!” they say.
These people are not opposed to Russia’s financial participation in the restoration of Donbass. According to Senator Sergei Ryabukhin, 1.5 trillion rubles can be estimated for this. “Let them send. If they need support, for God’s sake!” one pensioner said. “Apparently they need more. maybe that’s what our president wants. Let it help, ”said the young guy. “If you don’t live richly, there’s nothing to start! We need to help all people equally,” said the elderly man.
Among the opponents of such a decision are people of different ages. “Yes, a disgrace! Why do we feed a little, give everyone a drink? We are starving ourselves!” one pensioner rebelled. “I think this is very bad for Russia, because it can happen in a situation and Russia can fight,” said another. The young respondent is also afraid of war. “We will only become poorer! Because war costs money!” he noted.
Dissatisfied in this group of people sent to Donbass. “We help, we help, and so we already help through the roof! And when will we be girls? one woman asked. “But this is still less loss than the war, but, of course, money too, because this money could be spent on the Russians. We do not spend this money on Russians, but we do it on Donbass. It’s sad too,” said another.
At the same time, all respondents are not afraid of new meetings or the collapse of the ruble, which have already lost their position against the presidential decree recognizing the DNR and LNR. People note that they are already accustomed to living under sanctions, but they already have almost no money. “What do I need this ruble for? I’m retired! They added a pension to us, products are becoming more expensive – we still live well! one woman said. “We have been under sanctions for 20 years. We are used to it! Prices kept going up and up. I don’t know, I think we won’t die and we won’t get poorer. Let the one who has money stuffed in his pockets be afraid. Let them be afraid of who has an account abroad. Here you can squeeze them!” a couple of pensioners reasoned.
The question of whether or not to annex the DPR and LPR to Russia also caused a clear procedure among the majority of respondents: Supporters of the annexation believe that this is better for the inhabitants of Donbass, since they will be under the protection of Russia. Opponents ask: “Why do we need them? I think that they will be added someday, but it is again the same big expenses, only even more.”