How war is changing Russia’s population | DW Business Special

President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is causing major changes back home. Hundreds of thousands of Russian men are being mobilized to fight and tens of thousands have already been killed or injured. Meanwhile, many Russians have left their country and millions of Ukrainians are thought to have arrived.

What impact will these changes have on the Russian population? And could the public response lead to Putin’s downfall? We discuss these questions and more with UCLA’s Oleg Itskhoki in this DW Business Special.

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#Russia #Ukraine #Demography

[aurelio-reymilaorcabal]

Many Russian who have left might never come back as many have exited Russia with their wives and family, many are Doctors and IT professionals and Skilled people like Engineers, people who are hard to replace.

[annehersey]

What neither of you talks about is how Putin is VERY careful about who gets mobilized. It is not the elite in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, it is in fact the ethnic minorities who are called up disproportionately. From Tuvash Republic, Tatars, Dagastanis and many many others in Asian Russia. They are very careful to only lightly touch European Russians. The mobilization is very calculated. This must be talked about and the effect it has on the thousands of small villages where most of the young men who live there are taken at once only to return shortly in body bags. This is what is barely talked about and also plays a big part of why the general population is not more overtly against the war.

[andrewwatson]

I'm glad to see my favorite English teacher is working for DW

[nonsibi]

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” ― Albert Einstein

[cawag]

Great interview and analysis - thank you for posting it!

[fgadenz]

My deepest respect and admiration again to DW and the high level and depth of your analisys! I’ve been following a huge volume of analysis and reports about the war but this one is particularly sharp and interesting: Oleg (i hope I spelled it right) insight about the social contract between government and the population is powerfully simple, because it explains a lot of what we are struggling to understand about internal Russian dynamics.
Thank you! News at its best!

[cynthiagarnham]

Yes, is important to remember that, in Russia there is the normal draft process, for people finishing their education. If they haven't already fled, they will called up to serve in the military. Several hundred thousands every year. Interestingly Mr Putin himself avoided the draft ( where the treatment of the draftees is often brutal!) after finishing his studies, by joining the KGB!!!!

[learningforthelonghaul]

Great interview with a great economist, unfortunately on a very sad and tragic topic.

[roblovestar]

Gee, I thought people were leaving because the upper story windows in Russia are so dangerous. ;)

[shimokitazawa]

As a Russian citizen who hasn't lived in Russia for the last 13 years, I sincerely hope I will never have to return to that country ever again in my life.
But, having your life depend on the ability to get a visa is no fun either. You're one clerk's decision away from being sent back and force-drafted in the military.

[-.]

Healthy wealthy and smart people are getting rare in there.

[Jyshrii]

My heart goes out to the poor children who find themselves far from home in strange, often very unfriendly places, and for their poor parents who despair of ever finding them and bringing them back to the security and positivity of their family. Slava Ukraini!

[kit-telum]

16:25 Historically, Russia does not seem inclined towards "benign scenarios".

[NewBeginnings]

First of all: this war is about Russia and Ukraine. No one forced Russia to commit a war crime. And Russia attacked Ukraine for no reason.

Second, funny how Russia says nothing when Finland becomes a NATO member.

Ukraine didn't even apply to become a NATO member.

Nukes don't need to be 3 km away from Moscow to hit Moscow.

Third, all Russia does not have to do is to invade a NATO country. NATO is a defensive alliance.

Fourth: How is it ok for Russia to invade and start over 18 wars since the mid-90s? And “blame” it on the west, yet no one attacked Russia?

It seems that bothers Russia a lot. Why?

[stevenhenry]

They can mobilize a million, but there's no way they'll kit them out properly.

[scareybailey]

Great journalism and interview. A breath of fresh air. Thanks!

[Crashed]

I think a highly motivated person in his own county will fight harder than a draftee.

[kaymuldowney]

I'm not going to listen to the full interview because I'm rushing .So I'm giving my own views I'm neutral .I actually heard little of Ukraine before Russia invaded them . I feel particularly sorry for Ukraine who were invaded by Russia, because they thought it was easy picking.I also feel tremendous pity for the unfortunate Russian soldiers who have to fight in this war, not for freeing the people as they thought, but because their leader wanted to own and claim Ukraine. Wrong, wrong wrong..This is theft. We have to call it what it is

[erfquake]

That was equal parts devastating and enlightening. Please invite this guest back in the future to share his perspective.

[abasudoh]

I met a guy from Bahrain when I was in Hungary, he had lived in Izium before the war and his girlfriend didn't want to leave and ended up stuck when the city was surrounded. In the end she could only leave by crossing into Russia and last I heard she was trying to get to Finland.