What do Russians make of Ukraine tensions? - BBC News

US President Joe Biden is to send extra troops to Europe this week amid continuing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Pentagon says.

Moscow denies planning to invade but has deployed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders.

But what do ordinary Russians think about fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine?

The BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from the town of Vladimir, near Moscow.

#BBCNews

[camrenwick]

Ordinary honest people just want to live in peace. Governments should focus and spend much more on fighting poverty, homelessness, etc.

[kwnzgtube]

...there was a point well made, governments want to distract their citizens with external issues, so the citizens won't focus on what is directly affecting them and their concerns within their own government/country.

[gabin]

that girl was spot on, governments like to deflect there own domestic problems

[johnmcdonald]

An educated lady nailed it. 👏 This is why tyrants often attack/close/control universities during an upheaval.

[Rikimkigsck]

2:34 Exactly lady, I am Turkish and this is what Turkey's Erdogan also does. You are on point.

[lemonjuice]

People don't need war and hate. Love from here in the UK to everyone in Ukraine _and_ Russia.

[nerdlingeeksly]

That 1st Russian saying "its Up to bigger countries to help them decide" sounds like a mob boss using indirect words to hide their true intentions.
The 2nd one truly understands what's really going on.

[peterdrought]

There was a similar background to the Falklands war. It is often said that General Galtieri invaded the Falklands to take attention away from growing economic problems at home.

[hkchan]

It’s more difficult to fix internal issues, so an imaginary enemy is needed

[bhbh]

Thay young Russian woman is absolutely right, what she said.
I hope there isn't any war, everyone seen enough of sadness with wars, covid 19 and love ones dying.

[Ghost]

Yeah nobody at a civilian level wants a war. I just hope this doesn't get any worse, the Ukraine goverment and its military have done well I am glad the west are starting to help them and hopefully deter Russia from invading completely.

[invernessfan]

I want peace between the European Union, Russia, the Ukraine, the USA and the United Kingdom. Peace is the way. Peace, democracy, freedom, tolerance, equality and liberty must win.

[renovatio]

The young couple knows the game their government is playing.

[tad_]

Wow that was such an amazing insight …the government has to make them believe there is an enemy out there to distract from the mistakes they are making with the direction of the country .

[cardinmalone]

When I see how Russians live their everyday lives, I see them as like myself: Being human, living ordinary peaceful lives trying to make a living.

[ZackHamlin]

That girl hit the nail on the head. She gets it.

[philu]

The woman at 2:22 nailed it.

Putin needs foreign enemies in order for his population to not look at the state of their country.

[MostDopeGamer]

She said it perfectly! That’s actually a lot of what’s going on in the U.S at this moment. Large majority in the U.S think the same way, no more wars and dead youth for rich old men and corporations!!

[Rikimkigsck]

It's hilarious that citizen actually called Russia a super power. Dude I lived in Russia for 7-8 years. A cashier makes $170 a month. A super power my ass. A Mcdonalds worker makes $2650 a month in Texas and $330 in Turkey. I have never seen a poorer country in my life so far.

[The_Drifter_]

Russian people are awesome. Too bad we all keep ending up with weirdos in charge, making everything unnecessarily dangerous.