Ukrainian Drone Strikes Deep in Russia Grow Public Alarm

(Kassie Corelli – The Jamestown Foundation) On April 25, a Ukrainian drone struck Yekaterinburg—a city far from the front and the capital of the Urals—for the first time, damaging a high-rise apartment building. This event convinced even some staunch supporters of the war that no “rear area” remains in Russia. Sociological studies show growing anxiety in Russian society and lower regard for the authorities. Even the Kremlin-aligned All-Russian Public Opinion Research center (VTsIOM) found that 25 percent of Russians felt alarmed in April, a 2 percent increase from January. Russia’s inability to achieve its military objectives, economic problems, and the threat of Ukrainian drones have led Russian support for peace negotiations to grow from 35 percent in February 2025 to 59 percent this February. Analysis of chats in Russian border towns shows blame shifting away from Ukrainians and toward Russian officials. – Ukrainian Drone Strikes Deep in Russia Grow Public Alarm  – Jamestown