Economic Problems and Never-Ending War in Ukraine Upsetting Russians’ Psychological Well-Being, Academy of Sciences Study Finds

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Mar. 16 – The Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences says that mounting difficulties in the Russian economy and the dashed hopes for a quick end to the war in Ukraine have led to a significant worsening of the psychological state of the Russian people.

            The study (available at ecfor.ru/publication/kvartalnyj-prognoz-vvp-vypusk-69/ and discussed at ru.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/16/-33-a189844) found that this deterioration had affected all socio-economic groups, with 42 percent of Russians saying they were depressed and 27 percent indicating that they had experienced anxiety that they found difficult to control.

            Residents of major cities, young adults, lower income groups, and private-sector workers were the most likely to report such problems.  More than 80 percent suffer as a result of rising prices and job insecurity, and 60 percent say the war in Ukraine is most likely to continue throughout 2026, up by seven percentage points from their assessment in December 2025.

            Perhaps most seriously, only 39 percent of those surveyed said they were confident their children will have better lives than they do, and 42 percent said that they expected the Russian economy to be in trouble over the next five years.