Ukraine’s intensified drone campaign is increasingly bringing the realities of the war into everyday life in Russia, according to a Daily Mail report published on August 23, 2026. The report describes growing anxiety among some Russian civilians, including a 70-year-old pensioner in Moscow who has begun withdrawing her savings because she fears the government could use ordinary people’s money to support the war or stabilize the economy. She said she no longer believes in the war and feels ashamed of what is happening.
The report says this concern is not limited to one individual. Some Russians are reportedly keeping more cash at home instead of leaving their savings in banks. It cites a rise of £21.3 billion in the amount of cash circulating inside Russia this year, presenting the increase as a sign of growing public unease.
The article argues that repeated Ukrainian drone attacks, including strikes that have affected areas far from the front lines, are making the conflict increasingly difficult for ordinary Russians to ignore. While the report portrays these developments as evidence of changing public attitudes toward Vladimir Putin’s war, the extent of any broader shift in Russian public opinion is difficult to establish from individual accounts and cash-withdrawal figures alone.
The situation also remains politically sensitive, with independent assessments of public opinion in Russia complicated by restrictions and the risks associated with openly criticizing the war. Nevertheless, the reported experiences illustrate how the continuing conflict is affecting not only military targets but also civilians’ sense of security and confidence in the country’s future.