Why do Russians believe in propaganda?

Russian propaganda is exceptionally effective because it relies on several key psychological and social mechanisms:

1. Ubiquity and Information Monopoly

In the 1990s, Russia had independent media outlets such as NTV, Echo of Moscow, TV-6, and Dozhd, which engaged in real journalism and presented alternative perspectives. However, since the early 2000s, the Kremlin has systematically eliminated independent voices by taking over private stations, shutting down critical editorial offices, and introducing repressive laws on “foreign agents.” Today, virtually all major media outlets are state-controlled, and the only independent sources operate from abroad or in secrecy.

2. Repetition Effect (Goebbels-style Propaganda)

Repeating the same messages over and over makes even absurd information start to sound credible. If you hear every day that Ukraine is a Nazi country, after a year, you stop questioning it.

3. Fear and Repression

In Russia, the rule is “it’s better not to think because it’s dangerous.” People know that openly questioning the government’s narrative can land them in prison. As a result, even those who have doubts prefer to keep them to themselves, and over time, they stop having them altogether as they adapt their worldview to their living conditions (cognitive dissonance).

4. “Politics Is Not for You”

A Key Element of Control – One of the Kremlin’s greatest successes is instilling in Russians the belief that “politics is a dirty business best left alone.” This is convenient for the government because if society is not interested in politics, it does not ask questions, does not vote consciously, and does not demand change. In democratic countries, even those who are not politically active follow events because they understand that government decisions affect their lives. In Russia, a myth has been created that politics is for “the chosen ones,” and an ordinary person should “focus on their own life”—which in practice means having no influence over their own fate and accepting every government decision.

5. Traditional Distrust of the West

For decades, Russians have been taught that the West “is always plotting against Russia.” That’s why when propaganda claims that sanctions are not a punishment for aggression but a Western attempt to weaken Russia, many believe it.

6. Contradiction and Confusion as a Tactic

Western propaganda works differently than Russian propaganda. In the West, the goal is to convince people of one version of events. In contrast, the Kremlin uses an “information flood” method—providing several versions of the same situation so that people eventually don’t know what the truth is. If one version collapses, another one remains. It doesn’t have to make sense—it’s just about creating chaos and making people believe that “the truth cannot be determined.”

Are There Signs of Russians Waking Up?

Yes, but these are isolated cases rather than a mass awakening. However, some signals suggest that cracks in the system are beginning to appear:

1. Increased Emigration

Hundreds of thousands of young and educated Russians have left the country since the invasion of Ukraine. This means that some people do think independently and do not believe in propaganda.

2. Growing Distrust of the Government

Sociological studies show that Putin’s support is officially high, but in private conversations, more and more Russians are beginning to complain about the country’s situation.

3. Economic Problems

While propaganda can claim that sanctions “aren’t working,” real life tells a different story. People see rising prices, product shortages, and a declining standard of living.

4. Recognizing the Hypocrisy of the Elites

When the government preaches patriotism, but its children live in the West, some people start to wonder if it’s all a lie.

5. Failed Mobilizations and High Military Casualties

Many Russians initially didn’t care about the war because “it didn’t affect them directly.” But when forced conscriptions began and bodies started returning to Russia, trust in the government declined.

Can Russians Open Their Eyes?

Individual cases show that it is possible, but at a societal level, this would require one of three scenarios:

1. The Collapse of the System (Like in 1991)

If Russia loses the war, the economy collapses, and elites start fighting among themselves, the system may fall apart, paving the way for change.

2. Long-Term Erosion of Propaganda

The more Russians see their lives deteriorating and realize that the West is not as bad as they were told, the more likely they are to question the Kremlin’s narrative.

3. The Influence of a New Generation

Young Russians, especially those with internet access, are more skeptical of propaganda than their parents and grandparents.

For now, however, the Russian system effectively suppresses any signs of independent thinking, and most of society seems unprepared for rebellion. But history shows that propaganda only works for a certain period—at some point, reality always catches up with it.