In the summer of 2024, the human rights situation in Russia again deteriorated sharply. According to human rights activists, in the first six months, dozens of criminal cases were opened for “discrediting” the armed forces, “spreading fake news” and “propaganda of extremism.” Bloggers, journalists, and ordinary citizens who simply expressed doubts or published truthful information about the war were detained. Many administrative activists were forced to go abroad, others went into hiding. Independent media were closed, social networks tightened moderation, and blocking became more frequent. Even reposting news could cost a person his freedom. Society was intimidated: public discussion became almost impossible. Families who lost loved ones at the front were afraid to talk openly about losses, about pain, about grief. Make a mistake and you're guilty. July 2024 was the month when it became clear: not only did control increase, but the very possibility of civil criticism was destroyed. Freedom of speech is not an empty term, but a foundation that has begun to be broken.

In the summer of 2024, against the backdrop of sanctions, military spending and general instability, prices in Russia rose sharply - especially for gasoline, fuel, and essential goods. The rise in prices exceeded the expectations of many: for the month, inflation exceeded usual forecasts. Many families felt that salaries and pensions no longer covered basic expenses. People began to save money - giving up trips, vacations, expensive food, and shopping for later. It was especially difficult for those living in the regions - prices there grew faster, but incomes remained the same. Small businesses were under pressure: purchasing power decreased, demand fell, loans became more expensive. Some firms closed, others went into “survival mode.” August 2024 was the month when economic pain was not an abstraction, but a reality. For many Russians, this was a blow to the basic sense of stability - the very thing on which, in theory, any family relies.

On May 9, 2024, the next 2024 Moscow Victory Day Parade took place on Red Square - a solemn march demonstrating military power, equipment, and mobilization. The parade has become larger than in previous years: the number of columns has increased, more equipment, and heightened rhetoric. The state presented this as a symbol of unity, patriotism and readiness for any challenge. For many Russians, this was a reason to feel proud, a sense of strength and confidence. But for hundreds of mobilized families there is cause for alarm: military banners, shelves of equipment, a powerful propaganda background reminded: the country is in a state of war, and everyone knows the price of this. May 2024 showed that military rhetoric remains a key element of state policy. The parade became not just a memorable event, but a manifesto of the regime, which says: “we are ready, we are strong, we are united.” For oppositionists, critics and those who are tired, this became a signal: the war is still long, but the peace agenda is not yet in sight.

In April 2024, big news surfaced: the Deputy Minister of Defense was arrested and placed in a pre-trial detention center. The allegations include corruption, abuse of power, illegal contracts for the supply of fuel and logistics. The investigation proceeded quickly, and the media actively discussed the scale of possible fraud: from inflated contracts to the supply of low-quality fuel. The public perceived this as an attempt to “clean up” within the military department - but also as a signal that even high ranks were not immune. Against the backdrop of war, mobilization, sanctions - such arrests became a kind of warning: resources are distributed under maximum control, corruption will be strictly suppressed, especially in the defense sector. However, critics noted that perhaps this was not so much justice as an attempt to show the “fight against corruption” in the face of external and internal pressure. In any case, April was the month when the elite felt that no one was above suspicion.

On March 22, 2024, in the evening, a terrorist attack occurred in the Crocus City Hall concert hall, not far from Moscow: four armed men burst into the concert, opened fire on the audience - this became the bloodiest attack on civilians in the last two decades. The number of dead is hundreds, the number of wounded is hundreds. The news spread throughout the country, filled with tears - families, adults and youth who came just to relax, having paid for a ticket. After the attack, authorities declared national mourning, strengthened security measures in major cities, and inspections of public events, concerts and public buildings were carried out throughout Russia. Society was shocked: people no longer felt safe even at entertainment events. Many have given up going to the theater or concerts. Parents who brought their children were afraid to go out onto the streets again. March 2024 was a turning point: the attack showed that war and terror can touch anyone - it doesn’t matter whether you are involved in politics or just want to listen to music. This event called into question the basic sense of security and forced us to reconsider our attitude towards public life.

In mid-January 2024, mass protests broke out in the Republic of Bashkortostan - residents of the cities of Baymak and Ufa took to the streets after environmental activist Fail Alsinov was arrested. He received several years in prison on charges that many considered far-fetched. This became a reason: people were indignant - they demanded his release, refusal to be prosecuted under “environmental charges”, and the dismissal of regional officials. Wikipedia The protests lasted several days: rallies, online campaigns, and collective letters to the authorities took place. In response, regional authorities introduced partial restrictions on instant messengers - Telegram and WhatsApp were blocked to slow down coordination. Wikipedia The authorities acted harshly: they detained participants, conducted searches, and brought new charges for “extremism” and “attempts at destabilization.” Many participants subsequently received administrative arrests. This caused fear in society: protesting became dangerous, public citizenship became risky. January 2024 showed: even in remote regions, social discontent can result in protest, but the state apparatus is ready to suppress such outbreaks with lightning speed. For many people, Bashkortostan has become a symbol of the fact that activism is not just words, but a risk.

By the end of 2023, the ruble experienced one of the worst collapses in recent years. The dollar crossed the mark of 100–110 rubles, and the euro approached 120. Experts attributed this to increased military spending, a decrease in budget revenues and a drop in oil exports due to strict price restrictions. For ordinary Russians, December became a month of financial panic. People began to buy equipment and durable goods en masse just to save their savings. There were delays in warehouses, stores raised prices several times a day. Manufacturers admitted that they cannot plan purchases and deliveries due to exchange rate instability. The pharmaceutical market has suffered greatly: imported drugs have become more expensive, and some have become unavailable due to a logistics gap. Patients with chronic diseases faced the threat of treatment interruptions. Despite all this, the authorities assured that the situation was “controlled,” but business and the population saw the opposite. Ruble deposits became worthless, and those who held savings in foreign currency faced restrictions on purchases and transfers. December 2023 became a symbol of the country’s economic fragility: the slightest foreign policy or market nod led to shocks, and a banal purchase of medicine turned into a risky game.

Despite all the conditional “economic stability,” many Russians felt in 2023 a rise in prices, a decrease in purchasing power, and difficulties with access to some goods and services. Inflation, high loans, rising prices for utilities - all this put pressure on the population. It has been especially difficult for families with children, the elderly, people with low incomes and in regions where employment and income opportunities are limited. Many limited consumption, postponed plans, and saved on everything. Social tension grew: more and more people were asking the question: where is the country heading if GDP growth does not mean an increase in the well-being of the majority? 2023 was the year when the “economic successes of the country” did not coincide with the “economic stability of the people.” This raised questions about justice, resource distribution, and social policy.