Inside Russia, a feeling of occupation by a hostile force?

 Fox News:

...

"It's kind of tragic because we have our society collapsed and no economic hopes, and we also don't see any political future for our homeland, our country," Kirill Martynov said. "We have a lot of pro-war propaganda. It's quite stupid and aggressive. And basically, you start to feel like a person who lives in a kind of occupied land, like it's not your country. It's a country which was occupied by some foreign invaders, some kind of enemy."

Martynov added that, compared to what Ukrainians are living through, he feels Russians have nothing really to complain about. But still, for many, this is a painful time and is pitting Russian against Russian.

"I feel like all the situation has us on the edge of civil war, basically because hate is rising in Russia," he said. "Propaganda feeds this hate, and we have more and more hate and distrust in Russia."

I put the question everyone wants to know – second only to what is on Putin's mind? – to Martynov: What percentage of Russians support the war on Ukraine?

He estimated about 25%. Another quarter – and his answers are based on what he feels – simply support President Vladimir Putin, believing whatever he chooses to do must be right. Another quarter are scared, Martynov thinks, just keeping their heads down and trying to take care of their families. And the last 25% or even less are strongly against this war.
...

Martynov said the newspaper just put out perhaps its best cover ever showing ballerinas dancing to "Swan Lake" against a backdrop of a mushroom cloud. All it says on the cover is "This edition of Novaya is in compliance with the changed criminal code of Russia."

The symbolism is strong. Russian state television looped performances of "Swan Lake" during the 1991 coup attempt of the Communist hardliners against Mikhail Gorbachev.

I get the impression that Putin is living in a fantasy land of his own mind.  He has a crumbling army that appears to be stalemated in Ukraine and little robust support at home.  If he were brave enough to call an election he would probably lose.

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