The Russian state is working incredibly hard to persuade its people that the war is both necessary and going well, but what state of mind is Russia's population in?

Sarah Hurst, author of the Russia Report newsletter, talks to Arthur Snell about the Kremlin's campaign of disinformation, and how international sanctions are hitting the Russian population.

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Sarah's Russia Report newsletter can be found here: https://therussiareport.substack.com

• “The majority of Russian people by now would realise that the war isn’t going to plan.”
• “Putin is taking ownership of the Soviet victory over the Nazis as if it were his own.”
• “There are people who fought for the Soviets in World War 2, and their houses have been destroyed by the Russians.”
• “In all his lengthy press conference, Putin has never said anything meaningful, it’s all catchphrases.”
• “Severe economic problems can make a dictatorship more brutal.”
• “Despite the fact Russia has oil and gas, we should expect them to have some pretty dire difficulties.”

DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production

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