"The enduring support for Putin and the Ukraine conflict: Explained"

Despite a drop in support for both the war in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin in late 2022, polls suggest that a majority of Russians still support Putin and the ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. The Russian government's zero tolerance for public opposition to the war or Putin, Russia's defeat of Ukraine's summer counteroffensive, and the government's narrative of protecting Russian rights and countering Western hypocrisy have contributed to this support. Additionally, increased military wages and the ability to resist Western sanctions have helped maintain public backing for the war and Putin.