How war is changing Russia’s population | DW Business Special

President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is causing major changes back home. Hundreds of thousands of Russian men are being mobilized to fight and tens of thousands have already been killed or injured. Meanwhile, many Russians have left their country and millions of Ukrainians are thought to have arrived.
What impact will these changes have on the Russian population? And could the public response lead to Putin’s downfall? We discuss these questions and more with UCLA’s Oleg Itskhoki in this DW Business Special.
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#Russia #Ukraine #Demography

[Jean Townsend]

My heart goes out to the poor children who find themselves far from home in strange, often very unfriendly places, and for their poor parents who despair of ever finding them and bringing them back to the security and positivity of their family. Slava Ukraini!

[Barbara Dellis]

The saddest part of this story.

[Jean Townsend]

@Barbara Dellis For sure. Slava Ukrani!

[Rich S]

I detest this despicable war crime pukin and his criminal troops have committed. Unforgivable

[Fabiano]

My deepest respect and admiration again to DW and the high level and depth of your analisys! I’ve been following a huge volume of analysis and reports about the war but this one is particularly sharp and interesting: Oleg (i hope I spelled it right) insight about the social contract between government and the population is powerfully simple, because it explains a lot of what we are struggling to understand about internal Russian dynamics. Thank you! News at its best!

[Fabiano]

@kirgit ok

[SeattlePioneer]

> Stephen Kotkin, academic biographer of Joseph Stalin, doesn't think social contract theory is worth much, if anything, because when those in power fail to carry out the contract, nothing ever happens to them. They never lose power because they fail to carry out this contract. Indeed, in this video Putin promises economic growth, which then does in fact occur at a very good 5% rate for several years. But after that, you have economic stagnation --- does that cause Putin to resign because he has broken this contract. Of course not!

[Pedja S.]

Good comment! The thing is, you must, you simply must boil it down to some ‘social contract’ in order to appear to provide a good quality analysis and, ultimately, sound educated. This guy just used usual China-related narrative on ‘social contracting’ and applied it contextlessly on elsewhere

[Блог активных путешествий]

I am Russian and I left Russia in march after the war had just started. Some statistics suggest that there are 500K-1M people like me, most of them are smart and educated people, I work remotely in the US and I see no future perspectives to continue my life in Russia, the economy is in shambles, people are sent to the war without their consent, repressions, dictatorship etc. Russia is becoming a real fascist state.

[B. Rob]

Welcome to the land of the free. 👍

[Chris Chris]

Excellent decision. When will dictators learn. USA might be horrible but these dictators are making America great!

[Bogati Tom DhaniRaj]

I see the bigger version of North Korea in the future.

[ARA ARA]

and I believe you're a russian... hahahahahah

[learningforthelonghaul]

Great interview with a great economist, unfortunately on a very sad and tragic topic.

[Nayem Sun]

Love putin,Love Russia,Love Xi.

[DAVID GASSER]

@Nayem Sun I’ll send you a one way ticket to either of the places!

[John Wehrle]

Excellent coverage of the situation in Russia and Ukraine. Slava Ukrani 🇺🇦

[scareybailey]

Great journalism and interview. A breath of fresh air. Thanks!

[Africa Is King]

Russia is making BILLIONS on oil exports what are you people talking about 😂 ??? It's like when you said AFRICA would starve . Stop lying !

[Freedom_At_Last]

@Africa Is King Russia lost 80% of its business when it came to oil. That's a fact.

[Matrix Decoded]

@Freedom_At_Last Thanks for the laughs. Seriously I laughed out loud when I read your comment. "That's a fact!" Classic.

[Enzo H]

@Freedom_At_Last Funny . Check your wallet .

[Spiderus]

💙💛 Glory to Ukraine!

[Макс Волк]

No

[Maria Hewitt]

AMEN 🙏 GLORY to UKRAINE!!!

[kirgit]

Oyeee... Moscow here we come to conquer

[Maria Hewitt]

@kirgit Stay off the Vodka!

[Leo🇺🇸]

♥️🇺🇦🇺🇸♥️

[actpb12]

I really have come to appreciate the great coverage by DW. Along with Al Jazeera, it's my go-to channel for an internal perspective of what's happening around the world. Excellent work, German government!

[WVW]

Al Jazeera is too biased.

[Bethan Hallam]

Al Jazeera is very good to a point but on some subjects biased. Might be due to who funds them.

[Gilbert Robert Tuahuru]

Glory to the Ukrainian soldiers and president Zelensky for the great work defending what is yours spiritually mentally physically glory to the USA UK military for the on going support. Bless 🙏 you all.

[cawag98]

Great interview and analysis - thank you for posting it!

[George]

*There is hope in the face of this tragedy* Consider that now not only a majority of Germans, Ukrainians, and Poles, but also Russians (those who are not stuck in the Russian information bubble) all agree on what is needed. A Ukrainian victory and a defeat of the aggressor state. They agree that this is what they all need for a better future. This has never happened before! Just the thought of it brings a tear to my eye.

[George]

@Pining for the Fjords?! Re: Scholz, yes, he was problematic, but so was every German party, except the Greens (which were not very big), I'm sure public pressure is a large part of the reason for the turn around, and that's important. Still, remember, France, Italy, Belgium and Spain have all given *half as much or less* by GDP than Germany. Currently, Germany is 15th in Europe for aid by GDP, so, just barely in the top half. Yes, majorities have failed to win in the past. My point is that these countries have never had their majorities *ON THE SAME SIDE.*

[хорошая жизнь]

@Croupier The Dream more.Thank you, but we are even more united in spite of you. By the way, my mother is Ukrainian, and my father is Russian, and they gave birth to us and brought us up without any hatred for each other.Because we are one people.

[Ben Brigham]

That was equal parts devastating and enlightening. Please invite this guest back in the future to share his perspective.

[Nayem Sun]

Love putin,Love Russia,Love Xi.

[Elizabeth R]

💯

[Gregory Parrott]

Mr. Itskhoki's description of how Russia may change following the war is both realistic and depressingly bleak. Even the best scenario - a new, more benign leader replaces Putin, seems like an unlikely and unstable proposition. All other possibilities, such as the disintegration of Russia, leading to the release of many suppressed regional and ethnic conflicts, would yield an even darker future.

[144Donn]

On a positive note: it is refreshing to hear people who are not just "talking heads". They actually say important things and speak the truth as they see it.

[Sunny]

What neither of you talks about is how Putin is VERY careful about who gets mobilized. It is not the elite in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, it is in fact the ethnic minorities who are called up disproportionately. From Tuvash Republic, Tatars, Dagastanis and many many others in Asian Russia. They are very careful to only lightly touch European Russians. The mobilization is very calculated. This must be talked about and the effect it has on the thousands of small villages where most of the young men who live there are taken at once only to return shortly in body bags. This is what is barely talked about and also plays a big part of why the general population is not more overtly against the war.

[Googlar]

They did talk about that, so I don't think you were listening to the entire video.

[Googlar]

@Alexey 9 Your attempt to engage critically is clouded by the fact that your media sources in Russia are extremely unreliable. You cannot trust your own media, or your own government, if they shut down every independent news agency. You also cannot rely upon your own limited, personal perspective to give you an accurate picture of large scale statistics.

[FERNANDO PEÑARANDA CORREA]

Uii

[FERNANDO PEÑARANDA CORREA]

@Alexey 9 yy

[Non Sibi]

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” ― Albert Einstein

[U Dz]

It is sickening what this war is doing to the ordinary peoples of the ukraine and russia who are the innocent victims. when will humanity change and see that hurting others like this is just not on.

[Regor Lone]

There will be no change in humanity if dictators continue to exist, they are the reason for humanities suffering.

[Abas Udoh]

I met a guy from Bahrain when I was in Hungary, he had lived in Izium before the war and his girlfriend didn't want to leave and ended up stuck when the city was surrounded. In the end she could only leave by crossing into Russia and last I heard she was trying to get to Finland.

[BAYER'S BLUE BAYOU BIOWEAPON]

…Christ

[The Truth Shall Set You Free!]

Minus the boyfriend?

[Jude Irwin]

And your point is....? The girlfriend is not going to be drafted. Eventually, she will get out of Russia, no doubt.

[The Truth Shall Set You Free!]

@Jude Irwin try work it out. It’s not too hard.

[Insert Witty Meme Here]

@The Truth Shall Set You Free! Well, _duh._

[David Armitage]

I like how Bruce Dickinson addressed this in the song by Iron Maiden….” Afraid to shoot strangers” He went on to say that Wars are started by politicians but have to be fought by innocent men who don’t want to shoot anyone.

[Ackbooh]

Yeah sure, but the politician's war is only one possibility and one aspect. Popular patriotism, fighting against oppression, political consent from the population, etc. It's true that poorer classes are hit the hardest and are the ones who can't avoid being drafted (lack of means, lack of education...).

[Honor Ladone]

Isn't he adorable he knows iron maiden.

[Mr O]

Wars are fought by the young and made by the old.

[robe 834]

put Nice make up and eyeshadow

[Cynthia Garnham]

Yes, is important to remember that , in Russia there is the normal draft process, for people finishing their education. If they haven't already fled, they will called up to serve in the military. Several hundred thousands every year. Interestingly Mr Putin himself avoided the draft ( where the treatment of the draftees is often brutal!) after finishing his studies, by joining the KGB!!!!

[Wom Bat]

I thought 240,000 a year?

[Cynthia Garnham]

@Wom Bat sounds about right! Perhaps, they should all apply for whatever the KGB is called now, like Putin did?! Lol

[Макс Волк]

I have a friend who serves and what

[Ricky Wright]

@Макс Волк and what?

[Eh…]

To me, the most telling moment of everything was when Putin told bereaved mothers to their faces that their sons dying at the front was “their goal achieved” since these sons didn’t live and die in obscurity, and didn’t “go die of vodka or something else”. In other words, he was telling them that only dying in battle gave their sons otherwise worthless lives some point.

[NUMMEHARBEN]

It would have been good if you had showed some graphs of how the population was some years ago, and how it might look 5 years in the future.

[eva brunson]

Rob Watts does some of the best interviews. Thoughtful, considered, allows his guests to talk… excellent interview although very sad and worrying. especially for Ukraine.

[delloda]

He has a great youtube channel too! Robwords

[Paul Buckland]

Thanx DW for an insightful & interesting interview. A great pity the majority of Ruzzians aren't like Oleg. Slava Ukraini!

[Mike Parsons]

One of the very best overviews I have ever watched, and I have watched a lot of them.

[Mary TWEET]

PRAYERS FOR UKRAINE 🇺🇦 🇺🇦🙏🙏

[David Reason]

The world needs more than mere prayers . . . .

[Charles Burnham]

@David Reason true. Instead of praying online, how about starting a fundraising campaign to help Ukrainians?

[Mary TWEET]

@Ross Carter your not God...

[Toask]

Prayers for peace. "Ukraine" ie Kiev, wants war.

[Jp]

Excellent coverage. Unfortunately the commentators did not mention the possibility of vassal states breaking away from Russian and reclaiming their independence. There is hope for the Russian people but none for their genocidal regime.

[suport bghelp]

LOL i just planing to migrate in Russia, because live in Russia look good in this YT videos, specially in Moscow.But genocide...really?

[Cindy Pomerleau]

Ethnic cleansing has been going on for decades in Russia. Hopefully they have not completely forgotten their roots. Because of re-establishing the former USSR, Putin has single handedly all but guaranteed the separation of Russia into territorial states ruled by regional politics. The people would definitely be better off.

[Thomas]

Why do you interfere in the affairs and life other coutries? Put things in order in You country. Where NATO goes, there is chaos, devastation, military coups and war everywhere. Your democracy brings troubles and sorrow!

[Johannesai1]

After WW1 and WW2 there were population transfers. For instance, Germans moved from Poland to Germany and Polish people moved from the USSR to Poland just after WW2. The problem with Ukraine and Russia is that there wasn't any population transfer after the dissolution of the USSR. Ethnic Russians speaking Russian and living in Eastern Ukraine didn't move to Russia after 1991. Since the 1800s, the development of nation-states worldwide hasn't stopped. The USSR was a long pause on this. Thus, similar case for Croatia + Herzegovina, Bosnia, and Serbia + Serpska (Serb) Republic. If there are no population transfers according to ethnicity, conflicts in both the European Balkans and Eastern Europe won't stop.

[Axx21]

It's always good to see, Very well spoken and well educated Russians.

[yy y]

I am from russian I already escaped from Russia I really don't want back my country 😞

[chez moi]

Stay safe.

[Aaron.Aaron.v.b.]

one should take into account that a certain amount of corruption was actually not a deviation from but part of the contract, as it opened a lot of space to a lot of people.

[Shimo Kitazawa]

As a Russian citizen who hasn't lived in Russia for the last 13 years, I sincerely hope I will never have to return to that country ever again in my life. But, having your life depend on the ability to get a visa is no fun either. You're one clerk's decision away from being sent back and force-drafted in the military.

[A WPetersen]

That is frightening. Can you apply for another citizenship?

[Shimo Kitazawa]

@A WPetersen that's difficult given the countries I've lived in and types of visas I used, but I'll be more strategic in the future.

[A WPetersen]

@Shimo Kitazawa I hope, that this war ends soon. It is so devestating for the whole world. And for you personally, that you are protected by good forces, that you are safe. 🌈🌍

[N B Khafula]

You are one good Russian, I presume. Peace ☮️ be upon you. If you are a good citizen, where you are residing, please naturalise. Slava Ukrajna

[Hanspeter Meier]

It's difficult to say it from a safe place, but I whised the Russian men who have left the country, woud have 10% of the brave the Irianian women have.

[Lulen Ao]

It is really heartbreaking that Europe allows such deportation, another form of concentration. Europe and the world must know that this random destruction of people and civilization will be the standard of war from now on as it is being allowed tacitly

[Jan Narkiewicz]

You missed some key factors. Russia was already an aging population. Its population has been shrinking.

[Pat man]

bottom line is to hold your leaders accountable always.and yes get involved in politics its the only way for a country not to fall into the political mess.its sad russia has been like this since 1922 after the fall of the tsar in 1917

[Marita Schweizer]

The demographic situation in Russia is very bad. The population of ethnic Russians are declining dramatically. This is the much bigger threat then the few millions leaving Russia until the end of this war.

[Chaldon 41]

200k barbers and bloggers

[Dave102693]

@Chaldon 41 cope

[Mihaela C]

So you say 600.000 barbers and bloggers emigrated and 200.000 barbers and bloggers died, so it means such a huge part of Russian work age population were just barbers and bloggers? The rest being mainly trolls I assume?

[Thiago Fávero]

Mujiks are still there

[God loves you so much]

It is amazing that it appears as though Putin is losing Russia to gain nothing

[NeverKnowsBest]

Well if you watch only media of Russian enemies, of course you will get such impression. If you watched Russian media, you would get an impression Russia is doing a good jod and Russian enemies suffer. Nothing amazing here.

[soco]

Yes, this man is a great reporter. He sees what is behind the story and what's to come.

[Tash Cheung]

'Rob Words', nearly fell off my chair to find you on DW. Someone recognised your professionalism. Hurrah! You definitely deserve it. Good luck mate!!

[Kenneth Mills]

I was also surprised 😮 love to hear him talk!

[Allamaadi]

I noticed the same thing. I also wish him all the best! A credit to DW for sure

[Kane T]

Same!

[tabby73]

Me too! I was so confused at first and had to double check which channel I!m watching lol

[Abdu Ibn Muhammad]

The description of Russia by the guest is very similar to the reality of China where the population stays out of politics for the government would reform totalitarianism which then brings economic prosperity and personal freedom, and totalitarian COVID lockdowns have cost many lives which finally was able to enrage the Chinese people.

[uncleanunicorn]

I would worry about the same thing that we worried about during the collapse of the original Soviet Union: a proliferation of unguarded nuclear weapons if Russia collapses.

[Andrew Watson]

I'm glad to see my favorite English teacher is working for DW

[Kay Muldowney]

I'm not going to listen to the full interview because I'm rushing .So I'm giving my own views I'm neutral .I actually heard little of Ukraine before Russia invaded them . I feel particularly sorry for Ukraine who were invaded by Russia ,because they thought it was easy picking.I also feel tremendous pity for the unfortunate Russian soldiers who have to fight in this war , not for freeing the people as they thought, but because their leader wanted to own and claim Ukraine. Wrong , wrong wrong..This is theft. We have to call it what it is

[Harald Bj Thunem]

This is a very informative and interesting interwjue. My Russian friends tell me stories like what Oleg I . does. Russia soon on the brink of falling apart . The etnic groups now know their bad situation - first to be trown into the meat grinder.

[Tanusha]

See that you yourself do not fall apart, wishing this to Russia. Dreams often materialize in mirror images.

[Frank TheTank]

@Tanusha It's not a wish. Because of the nuclear arsenal it's rather dangerous in fact. But the possibility is getting more realistic the longer the war will last.

[Tanusha]

@Frank TheTank А что это по вашему? Вы спите и желаете этого, много много лет. Меняются поколения, меняются правители, но это желание остается без изменений на протяжении нескольких веков.

[Tanusha]

@Frank TheTank And what do you think? You sleep and desire it, for many, many years. Generations change, rulers change, but this desire remains unchanged for several centuries.

[star662]

If you do the math, the total Russian manpower available to fight (including those already in the Army and those already injured/dead) is less than 2 million. (exclude: women, those below 18 or above 40, self deported, not healthy/strong, and those in jobs that cannot spared from society (skilled, semi-skilled, or heavy essential labor and police))

[diane shelton]

But you can’t exclude women. Of course they will be mobilised if necessary. They are just as vulnerable as the men. It won’t take long before someone thinks a 19 year old women or a 45 year old man. Either will do.

[diane shelton]

@first name last name but they did in WW2 so don’t discount it. Especially for ancillary jobs such as truck drivers, medics, engineers etc. no mobilisation will definitely include women if required

[Robert]

Yes Russia should trailblaze equal rights for women

[NeverKnowsBest]

If you do the math properly total mobilisation potential of any country is around 20% of population. That's how it was a century ago, that's how it is now. That's how it will be in future. And this number doesn't include women. But nobody in Russia will make women fight ever.

[Faraz khan]

very good journalism . may allah bless the team at DW .

[Janet 🇺🇲]

This is tragic to hear, with all the help western nations has provided, I would hate to see Russia prevail for the sake of the Ukranians and the money, time and effort we have put into this war.

[Nikolaos]

My favorite journalist covering the war on DW. Love when you have the Yale professor on

[Ellen Faulkner]

Can we just focus on Ukraine and stop complimenting the host

[Budget King]

@Ellen Faulkner i agree its so cringe

[Michael DK]

I only know him from his youtube channel on English language oddities and etymology things! I'm surprised but also, makes sense :)

[DAVID GASSER]

Great interview with a fabulous journalist.👏🇺🇦

[Aurelio-Rey milaor cabal]

Many Russian who have left might never come back as many have exited Russia with their wives and family, many are Doctors and IT professionals and Skilled people like Engineers, people who are hard to replace.

[Chaldon 41]

barbers and bloggers - 90%

[Chaldon 41]

Dr Rock now it's less

[хорошая жизнь]

Most of them have already returned.They didn't tell you that, did they?

[Stray]

@Chaldon 41 lol what a nonsense, i work in IT and whole top companies are relocating away, barbers yeah..

[WVW]

@Chaldon 41 IT companies are relocating out of russia and taking their employees with them.

[Trump Forever]

OK, but now I'd like to see an analysis of what would happen if Russia, rather than suffer defeat in the Ukraine, decided to go into WW3 with a global nuclear conflict. How would the German and Western populations differ in such a case?

[BlackWolf6420]

Love DW for these little bite size info docs 💪🏻🏋🏻‍♀️🤓

[John Smith]

I think a highly motivated person in his own county will fight harder than a draftee.

[Schust3r21]

As an American army veteran I knew everyday that my family was gonna go to bed with a stomach full of food and a roof over their head. They took me out of homelessness and put my family up in a house I couldn't believe. The health care we all received blew my mind. I was highly motivated to defend that with my life. Now they have my back now that I'm disabled. This is how you inspire loyalty. I try to imagine my path and how it would have played out if I lived elsewhere or how I'd fare in a draft.

[LeadLeftLeon]

You’ll be a motivated draftee under fire when it’s you or the enemy

[Sarah Brown]

What do you think Ukraine has? Their soldiers are draftees even more so than the Russians....and the Russian DO soldiers see these territories as their own land.

[richard simms]

Great interview with interesting guest. Thank you.

[Mark Cummings]

Great interview. Thanks.

[over theGarage]

I think the important question here is how many soldiers can the Russian supply with weapons, winter kit, food and water? I'd say they have already past the point where they can outfit an army. They can send all the men they want to the front but what will they do when they get there? Freeze?

[Sam]

Besides the effects on the economy due to the deaths of many young men, there will be an acute shortage of marriageble young men in Russia for many years to come.

[Frank TheTank]

The many Chinese single men will be happy.

[ywgmb35]

@Frank TheTank those gorgeous women would never get THAT desperate lol

[Frank TheTank]

@ywgmb35 Money and a heated home does have it's effects on woman.

[s whaht]

Online bride services will flourish. Gross.

[Flaperons]

Thank you, very interesting video, all info about economy, put together in one place.

[Angie Leemans]

War has changed a lot of People mostly in Belgium where I live... It's tough

[star662]

Need more analysis about the possible total collapse of Russia and what all other countries will do if Russia, with 1/7 of the non-Antarctic land on earth, suddenly descends into an ungoverned territory ripe for conquest. When this is over Russia may not have any military: all military manpower, equipment, and structure may be expended and government in Russia may be powerless or gone.

[first name last name]

Good. Can't wait.

[Magpie Girl]

Should it come to this, I would say that some of the existing countries within the Federation would opt for independence - Kazakhstan especially as it is already making economic ties with other countries based on its resources. A real irony would be to see Belarus, Ukraine and Poland reunite as a Commonwealth as it once was (which included Lithuania and Latvia). What might China do in this situation? Make claims on certain lands? The Russian nationalists dream of the Russian empire being re-established but their reliance on fear to meet their goals is falling apart.

[FP P]

So what I wonder about is ,does this not apply to any country at war ?

[Chuck Cloudy]

What's not being talked about is Russia's population is old. Really old, there's not many young people left. 300,000 young Russia men can end the age of Putin.

[West Virginia Gluten Free Pepperoni Roll]

Oh wow I had no idea he was a journalist! I love this guy's KZbin channel

[Silkee]

The guest was a brilliant person.

[crocodile]

As soon as Oleg mentioned the secret contract between Putin and the population, i knew he was a Vlad Vexler subscriber 😂

[Vanha Mies]

As much as I enjoy Vlad, commentators have been saying this for decades. The political disengagement was a feature of soviet society as well.

[Buck Wheat]

Well done, fascinating!

[Frank Husel]

As for Olegs last remark about a North-Korean-style Russia, I want to say that the hopeful thing about this is the sheer size of Russia. Even if a good portion of the borders is arctic, they are just too long to prevent citizens from fleeing. So the brain drain will go on. We are witnessing a historic moment in world history. Let's be vigilant, prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

[steven henry]

They can mobilize a million,but there's no way they'll kit them out properly.

[Marvin66]

Or train them or motivate them to fight in another country

[Putu Chris Susanto]

I live in Bali. There are so many young Russians living here now, most are digital nomads. And the number has been increasing since the war.

[The blue max]

What is a báli?...

[chez moi]

​@The blue max Short answer, it's a country. Look it up.

[Pacman C]

@chez moi Even shorter - it isn’t a country, but an area in Indonesia, which is a country. 😂

[chez moi]

@Pacman C Pardon my error.

[Brenden667]

The English etymology guy, didn't realize he's a reporter. Good job.

[mick donedee]

Excellent interview.

[Kit Telum]

16:25 Historically, Russia does not seem inclined towards "benign scenarios".

[freddy46]

Idk, the USSR breakup was unbelieveably peaceful

[Matrix Decoded]

It would be more accurate to say that, once roused, Russia does not retreat. Germany invaded Russia in WWII. Russia's response was to keep fighting until they entered Berlin.

[Kit Telum]

@Matrix Decoded They survived that one with help from the allies and winter ------------ and they behaved as despicably in German cities as they are doing in the occupied cities of their "cousins".

[Kit Telum]

@freddy46 Because Gorbachev chose not to use force. Let's see how tolerant Pooti (if he's still in power) will be of the break up of the increasingly discontent Federation.

[Allin7days]

"You the dictator deliver economic growth and we the people stay out of politics." When in human history has that ever worked? lol

[Gordon Adams]

Russia has a declining population problem. It really can't afford to lose thousands of men because of the war.

[Alec Dacyczyn]

No bad situation ever got better when the good people ran away. . This only ends when Putin is thrown out of power. The people who would throw him out are the ones that already fled Russia. They need to return for the sake of their country. But sadly, I don't expect to see that happen. It's going to get really, really bad.

[Sean Rice]

What isn't really talked about is that Russia had a demographic problem already and the baby-boom generation was about to leave the workforce either through retirement or liver failure with not enough people being born twenty years ago to replace them. With the war, their natural demise as an intact country has been hastened dramatically. Putin may very well be the last leader of a country called Russia.

[thunder881]

Very good analysis

[Doc Lanky]

He is good to listen to. He knows his stuff.

[Karine Angell]

Great intro! No wonder DW was banned in Russia 😀

[Ewoks A Lot]

What scares me more than the current conflict is what happens to the RU nukes if/when Putin is replaced. No one that is likely to take the Kremlin next is a good option :/

[Daniel Monteiro]

Whst will a desperate person don’t need to guess But it will be terrible

[Frenki Hunter]

A factual question - how will these events affect Ukrainian society? Do you also have a teacher available to explain it? And a sub-question - how will this also affect other states that are directly connected to this conflict? You have a word...

[Alyosha933]

It should be said that the number of people who leave the country aren't the exact number of those who emigrate, ie people who go on vacation

[Ellen Faulkner]

Huge difference

[Sarah Brown]

The thumbnail numbers show a net population growth of over two million people.

[Fu Manchu]

Russia aside, I only knew Rob Watts from his language KZbin channel. I had no idea he was a presenter with DW. My mind is blown.

[A C]

The hilarious irony that Russia not only solidified NATO solidarity, but also gave them millions of working age taxpayers that didn’t need to consume childcare resources to the cost of their own economy whose future taxes will be used to fund NATO, not to mention a lot of those taxpayers who did cross where those with the means to do so in the first place considering those outrageous plane ticket prices.

[blueagle1100]

I'm in Mexico City and we have 4 young Russian men from different parts of Russia under age of 24 years old that just moved in within the last 2 weeks

[Willem Karet]

Please, let the man speak and finish. Don't worry about the attention span of your audience, I like long interviews with nuance in the answers. Afterwards, cut it down to a few minutes if you think there's an audience for that and put the long and the redacted version on line.

[john tracey]

Great to listen to.

[Thomas Tannler]

I wish the DW would put dates on thier broadcasts

[Kevin McCarthy]

The people with money and brains have left. Which is one of those weird but very real problems of not having the necessary work force for the future endeavors.

[abcdefghijklmno29753]

Oleg's replies are too long and he distracts himself constantly. Not a very good interview at the start, but it's worth your time anyway. A good mix of facts and analysis/opinion.

[Koda GSD]

Thank you great interview

[John Hasty]

Great interview…

[sanjarcode]

Makes sense. I have a question though - the US "war" in Iraq+Afghanistan was even more dumb/ill-reasoned, how did the US government manage to sway It's people/the UN/other countries? Maybe it's due to the fact that there's a communication gap between the Iraqis/Afghanis and the world, their unfortunate "otherness" and a negative incentive for the media to portray their stories.

[Harald Bj Thunem]

Don't forget that ten s of thousands Russian men has left their jobs and is hiding somewhere in (rurale?)Russia - to avoid to be mobilised. ❤️🇺🇦 Slava Ukraina 🇺🇦❤️

[Sokra Chom]

So good question and answer 👍

[Robert Yi]

Great job DW. Your guests corrected your host on kremlin ending call up. It is still open ended to continue call up.

[Bob Loomis]

But out of every 100,000 of mobiks, how many are surrendering or simply walking away and refusing to serve? 10%? 25%?

[George Kung]

Lets support Ukraine more. more weapon and aid to Ukraine

[Savang Mao]

Russian troops and people must stand up to topple Putin. .

[Markus Strangl]

I didn't know Rob was a newsreader on DW.. I've only been following his language channel for the last year, and when I heard him talk here, I thought "wait, did I click the wrong video?"..

[R P]

Die for something we dont believe is surreal, people see war sometimes in romântico point of view until see the reality and are diyng or trying not to, thinking in all people they love and never will see again..