Why Russians Die for Putin–The Harsh Reality Behind the War in Ukraine

Why do Russians keep going to war? For many, it’s not patriotism—it’s their only way out.

One of my subscribers asked me: “Why don’t Russians value their own lives? Why are they willing to die in a war they don’t even understand?” In this video, I'll explain why they voluntarily go to war and why they are willing to sell their lives and health for the price of a moderately expensive car.

Video Chapters:

00:00 Why Do Russians Sacrifice Their Lives So Easily?
00:47 The People Who Had Never Seen the World
04:57 The War Changed Everything—For Some
06:55 The Life That Breeds Soldiers
09:39 The Worlds That Never Collide
12:41 The Realities of War
15:22 Why Commanders Don’t Build a Better Army

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[gmarchenko]

My step brother agreed to go to the war to get out of prison. He got there cause he had been selling drugs to earn some money. He couldn't find a decent job.

He didn't give a heck about right or wrong. He thought he will be a hero after all. He died somewhere in Ukraine.

[fadate]

We are permanently lied to, we are threatened, we are kept low and muted, we are punished for nothing, that's why we see enemies everywhere. But not all of us.

[namor]

Such a society is very dangerous, as the war is now showing. Men are thrown to the front like meatballs, down to the last man. I was born in Russia and, thank God, only spent four years there. I heard from relatives how poor many people are there. Yes, it all makes sense, this war will not end so easily. It is hard to believe that such a poor and broken country is a nuclear power. Under all these circumstances, Russia is a very dangerous country/society.

[philipmulville]

Dear Elvira, thank you for this brilliant analysis. I lived in the Soviet Union, where I worked for a short time in the local government of Mayor Anatoly Sobchak (whose Deputy/'Zam' at the time was a little known bureaucrat, Vladimir Putin) in Leningrad, in 1991, then later in Russia, Ukraine and the Baltic States - until 2008/9. I married a woman from a small village about an hour by car from Ekaterinburg - the poverty there was incredible, and almost exactly as you describe. The main industry had been mining, but the mines had closed many years ago. Housing was basic, was in poor condition, and was not maintained. Roads were terrible. The statue of V.I. Lenin still stood in the main square near the 'Palace of Culture' which itself was falling down. In order to wash themselves, local people still used a bath house that had been built by German prisoners of war. The year '1941' was written above the main entrance. The building in which the bath house was located was also built by the Germans, and the construction was much better than other buildings. The local people enjoyed using this German-built bath house - because everything still worked! There was a small and very basic shop in the village - like something from the 1800's with a lot of canned products and no fresh products except bread. Outside the shop there was a larger building that was used for storing equipment. The paint on the facade of the building had faded over the years and a sign - written in German - was visible under the faded paint. The local people were genuinely friendly and interested in learning more about 'the outside world'. But they were also broken, and had no hope or expectation of their lives ever changing or improving. I studied Russian many years ago, and speak the language fluently. I love Russia, and Russians, but the country is a wreck and its people deserve a better life. I now live in Europe and help teach English to a group of Ukrainians. All of the above is true. С глубоким уважением.

[janisansbergs]

I served in the Soviet army in years 1980-1982 (the time of Afganistan war) and I can confirm that the Soviet army of that time was very much as described here.

[GlenHarper-gi]

Really a brilliant and passionate analysis of the situation in Russia today. She shows no judgement of humans, only recognizing how they are shaped by their conditions. Clearly she is sad about this situation, but she hides it.

[bensanderson]

I knew a Russian and your synopsis concurs with his: that outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg, people in the country live off of $300 US per month. That’s a breeding ground for misery.

[nickb]

My wife is from a very small village in rural Latvia. When we visit home, the humble surroundings, the people's limited sense of world, the alcoholism, it is very similar to how you describe. There is also a charm and a kindness to people if you get past the initial distance. I'm sure the same in a Russian village. But the Latvians know what it was like to be brutally subjugated under the soviet system. My father-in-law served in the Red Army and he was beaten up almost every day.
It is sad to me that as neighbors with a rich history of cultural exchange and shared traits (some differences too of course), what could be goodwill is instead complicated by the memory of occupation.
This is a legacy that Americans don’t know much about, and Russian propaganda works to that effect: an American audience can’t tell the difference between the peoples and cultures so what difference if its a Ukrainian flag over the city hall or a Russian one? More Americans need to understand life under occupations, to understand why Ukraine fights.
Edit: if I have angered anyone of Russian origin I deeply apologize. Russia is a great country. It has so much to contribute to the world. I mean nothing but goodwill. Where I am critical, it is directed at state powers rather than the people comprising that state.

[zoxgbxl]

An excellent review/commentary. Thank you.

[MrAndonicus]

Love your work please keep it up I will spread the word

[benpatterson]

Frankly, the explanation for why Russians join their military doesn't sound very different than the explanation for why Americans join our military.

[Marcellob]

This is why they are kept poor, to become easier to enroll in the army...
"We cannot give what we didn't receive"...
To get out of poverty, it needs education. But how...
A real "Catch 22". This isn't human.

[tarabris]

Ужасно !
Спасибо за объяснение.
Властные люди ведут себя как эгоисты.
такой грустный мир !

[ralphsunico]

Every time I try to study Russian Culture, Russian History, and even Russian Literature, the word "tough" always comes to my mind. From there, the phrase "survival at any cost" comes to my mind.

[georgenemtzov]

It is invaluable to hear the analysis of an insider. Thank you, Elvira!

[YahziCoyote]

In Dune, Frank Herbert assumed that harsh conditions would create super strong soldiers. Instead, harsh conditions create desperate people willing to throw their lives away.

[volkerr.]

Very impressive. Though my wife is Estonian and they know all about Russians. But to get it told by you - that’s really a new an more intensive way. Btw. I’m German. Western side 😊

[deadsinner]

Such a refreshing change from all the AI and fake videos on YouTube. Well researched, well written and well spoken by an elegant lady. You have a wonderful way with words and paint an interesting story Miss Elvira !

[LarsKunMig]

Your channel offers some of the best - maybe THE best - insights to the Russian mindset that I have come across. Comparable to “Inside Russia”. Thanks for enlightening us. You’re a STAR!

[fleurboisvert]

I always assumed that conditions must be awful to want to throw yourself into war but this is even more heartbreaking then I expected.

I wish we as other Europeans would have done something before it got to this point. I'm so sorry Elvira.