Most Russians expect the war with Ukraine to end in 2026, as its economy slows

"The resultcame as Russia's economic boom, driven by wartime spending and subsidies, cooled. In November, Russia's industrial output fell 0.7% from a year ago, following a 3.1% increase in October, Rosstat, Russia's official statistics agency, said Wednesday. Reuters reported that day that analysts expected a 1.2% increase in output. The profits of Russian companies declined nearly 10% to 21.6 trillion rubles, or $273.4 billion, from January through October."

"Most Russians expect the war with Ukraine to end in 2026, according to a poll released Wednesday. The survey of 1,600 Russians aged 18 and above found that55% believe what Moscow calls its "special military operation" is nearing its end. The poll was conducted in mid-December by the state-owned Russian Public Opinion Research Center. Mikhail Mamonov, the deputy head of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center, said as he presented the results at a roundtable discussion."

A state-run poll of 1,600 Russians found a majority expect the war with Ukraine to end in 2026, with 55% saying the "special military operation" is nearing its end. Mikhail Mamonov said optimism stems from possible completion of stated objectives aligned with presidentially outlined national interests. Assessing public sentiment on sensitive subjects is difficult in Russia due to tightly controlled public discourse. Economic growth cooled as wartime spending-driven expansion faded: November industrial output fell 0.7% year-on-year, company profits declined nearly 10% to 21.6 trillion rubles through October, and moderating inflation, weaker energy revenues, a strong ruble, and tight credit squeezed private demand. Separate polls show top public worries are the economy and the war.

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