Maria and her husband, Aleksandr, are sure that President Vladimir V. Putin will safe a fifth time period as Russia’s chief within the presidential election this weekend.
However the couple, who reside in Moscow with their three youngsters, are usually not so certain about what is going to comply with. Foremost of their minds are fears that Mr. Putin, emboldened by successful a brand new six-year time period, may declare one other mobilization for troopers to battle in Ukraine. Aleksandr, 38, who left Russia shortly after Mr. Putin introduced the primary mobilization in September 2022 however just lately returned, is even contemplating leaving the nation once more, his spouse stated.
“I solely hear about mobilization — that there’s a deliberate offensive for the summer time and that troops want rotation,” Maria, 34, stated in a WhatsApp alternate. She declined to permit the couple’s household title for use, fearing repercussions from the federal government.
Many Russians have been worrying a few multitude of points earlier than the vote, which began on Friday and takes place over three days. Although the Russian authorities have denied that one other mobilization for the conflict is deliberate, a way of unease persists.
The considerations look like grounded within the risk that Mr. Putin will use his unfettered energy to make modifications he averted earlier than the vote. Denis Volkov, the director of the Levada Heart, one of many few unbiased pollsters in Russia, stated these anxieties have been nonetheless felt primarily by the minority of Russians who oppose the federal government.
Whereas a possible mobilization stays the most important explanation for concern, there’s unease, too, over funds and the financial system. Some Russians fear that the ruble, which has been propped up by the federal government after plunging final yr, is likely to be allowed to depreciate once more, elevating the price of imports. Businesspeople fear about larger taxes, and opposition activists anticipate extra crackdowns on dissent.
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