Growing debts and travel restrictions: 8 million Russians are banned. The beginning of 2023 was marked by the news that a large part of Russians - up to 8 million people - were limited in their right to travel abroad due to debts and legal obligations. This affected a variety of segments of the population - from small entrepreneurs to ordinary citizens who owed money to banks, housing and communal services or tax services. Following this, there was a noticeable surge in negativity: people complained that they could not go for treatment, visit relatives abroad, or simply relax. This measure had a particularly acute impact on families with children who were planning trips. For the state, this was a signal - tightening control over financial discipline and an attempt to show that debt entails a real restriction of rights. For society, this is a reason to think about the level of sky-high debts, the social burden, and how such measures affect freedom of movement. January thus became a month when the financial vulnerability of many was exposed, and the usual right to travel suddenly came into question.

At the beginning of 2023, the Russian ruble depreciated sharply - the dollar exchange rate approached 85–90 rubles. This immediately hit the prices of imported goods, electronics, clothing, medicines and household appliances. Stores began to introduce a “minimum balance” system to avoid shortages: many items disappeared from the shelves, and what remained became sharply more expensive. Increased family expenses were accompanied by a drop in real income: January salaries, monthly payments and pensions actually bought less. People began to save: giving up planned purchases, vacations, and large expenses. It was especially difficult for families with children and the elderly. The state announced that it would “contain” inflation, and the Central Bank promised stabilization of the exchange rate, but expectations did not coincide much with reality. Many Russians felt that their usual standard of living was collapsing - without loud statements, without crises like the 1990s, but gradually, in the form of an increase in utility bills, bread, and medicines. January 2023 was the month when for many Russians the check “at old prices” disappeared: it began a new, tougher economic stage. For some, it’s an attempt to survive; for others, it’s a reason to think about an unpredictable future.

In December 2022, Russia and the United States conducted a prisoner exchange: Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, convicted in the United States, was returned to his homeland in exchange for a US citizen. Russian citizen Viktor But was also exchanged - after 15 years in prison - for American basketball player Brittney Greiner. In addition, by the end of 2022, Russia released sailors from Russian ships that remained under repairs abroad after the start of the special operation. The exchange was seen as an attempt by the Kremlin to demonstrate that Russia is ready to protect its citizens abroad and use diplomatic channels even amid international isolation. The event became one of the key diplomatic news of 2022 - and slightly softened domestic and foreign political tensions.

Since the beginning of the war and especially after the announcement of mobilization, repressions have intensified in Russia against those who oppose the war - activists, journalists, ordinary citizens. According to human rights activists, freedom of speech is being narrowed, gatherings are being limited, and independent media and NGOs are coming under pressure. In a number of cases, the families of those who spoke out against the war or mobilization were persecuted. Mass layoffs, pressure on civil society, and attempts to “cleanse” dissidents also began. For many Russians, 2022 has become a time of fear, self-censorship and repression.

Based on the results of 2022, many experts noted that the main event is not just a war, but a large-scale transformation of Russia: the economy, domestic politics, the role of the state, society. Sanctions, loss of access to markets, crises forced the economy to rebuild, look for new directions, increase domestic employment (including an increase in the number of self-employed) and dependence on commodity exports. Political power has strengthened control, repressive mechanisms have been strengthened by legislation, and the space for opposition has decreased. Society has become more polarized: some are mobilized and ready for war, while others are depressed, have left or withdrawn. 2022 for Russia has become a turning point: the country is moving to a new, more closed and militarized format of existence.

In 2022, the number of officially registered “self-employed” citizens in Russia increased: in January - about 4 million, by June - reached ~5 million. At the end of the year, despite sanctions and international isolation, the Russian economy showed a surplus of about $227 billion, thanks in part to high revenues from oil and gas exports. However, industrial production decreased in December 2022 - a drop of 4.3%. In addition, the conscription and mobilization (as well as emigration) of hundreds of thousands of people led to a labor shortage, especially in the industrial and rural sectors. The combination of sanctions, losses at the front and reorientation of exports significantly affected the economic structure of the country.

After the announcement of mobilization, the legislation was supplemented - “martial law” was introduced, new articles on criminal liability for “looting” and surrender, and the powers of law enforcement agencies were expanded. The possibilities of conscription have also expanded: the authorities allowed to mobilize even people with previous convictions for serious crimes. Legislative changes coincided with an intensification of the fight against independent media, NGOs, and criticism of the authorities. As a result, 2022 was a year when the guarantee of civil rights and freedoms was significantly weakened: for many Russians this meant fear, self-censorship and restrictions on previous freedoms.

On September 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a decree on “partial mobilization” in Russia for the first time since World War II. According to official figures, it was planned to call up up to 300,000 reservists. The mobilization is associated with large losses at the front after the start of the invasion of Ukraine: as analysts noted, this step is an attempt to fill the shortage of personnel. Immediately after the announcement, protests took place in dozens of cities, and according to monitoring groups, hundreds of people were detained. For many citizens, the decision came as a shock: against the background of mobilization, the demand for tickets abroad sharply increased, many ran away to avoid conscription. This step marked a new phase - not just a “special operation”, but a full-scale war affecting almost all spheres of life inside Russia.