Empty store shelves in Moscow: – It’s almost like going back to the Soviet Union

The Russians have been living with sanctions for a few weeks now, and the consequences are becoming clear day by day.

It’s almost impossible to get pasta and sugar now. Paper has become a luxury commodity. The price of wrapping paper has quadrupled, says Jenny from Moscow to TV 2.

She says that the prices of many goods have risen dramatically, and that many of them are losing their jobs. TV 2 knows Jenny’s identity, but chooses to use only her Norwegian first name for security reasons. Speaking freely now is not without risk, and those who criticize the authorities may run into problems.

afraid

Many people panic and hoard food. Some foods and medicines are empty and tampons and bandages are nearly impossible to get hold of. It’s like going back to the Soviet Union, she says with humor.

But despite the gallows humor, it is very serious. Jenny is scared.

– What I fear most is the Iron Curtain and isolation from the world. I’m afraid I won’t get a chance to escape if the situation becomes unbearable, she says.

Jenny doesn’t think Europeans understand how undemocratic Russia is. You talk about police brutality. They beat the demonstrators, many of whom speak of torture and threats.

Hoping to rebel

When asked if there was anything she looked on optimistically, she answered no. And that the only thing she hopes for is rebellion and a change of government. But people are afraid.

We are afraid of the authorities, we are afraid of the police, and we are worried every time we see them on the streets. She says those who disagree with the authorities can face severe penalties.

In addition, many fear for their financial future.

– I can’t be sure that I don’t lose income. In addition, crime will increase. She says many people constantly feel anxious.

Long lines

Already a week after Western sanctions came into effect, stockpiling began, and store shelves became cramped. When the mayor of Saratov in southern Russia last week announced a niche market to buy needed goods, hundreds appeared.

– People share tips on where to find sugar. Victor, who is standing in line on behalf of his grandmother, says he is sick to The guardian.

The newspaper wrote that after waiting for an hour and a half, he had to buy five kilograms of wheat flour. Videos of old women squabbling over a few bags of sugar went viral on social media.

– It’s tragic. A month ago, everything was fine, and now we talk like we did in the ’90s when we were shopping for fear it was empty, says Victor.

Claims to have full stock

Russian authorities claim that the country has enough goods, including sugar and flour, in stock, and say the empty shelves are due to people’s hoarding.

But the problems are real. With expected inflation of 20 percent this year, it means poverty for many Russians. It also means limited access to independent news sources, as having necessary and usable VPN solutions costs money.

isolate

President Vladimir Putin made it possible to get a prison sentence for using the word “war” about what is happening in Ukraine. Facebook, Instagram, and Google News are blocked. The same applies to VPN, which gives Russians the opportunity to receive foreign news.

Russians have become avid users of VPNs, and those with advice, knowledge and courage keep updating their social media. Freelance journalists critical of the system use Youtube, Telegram and other platforms to reach Russian users, but it is not known how long this will last.

Fewer and fewer Russians now have access to information. Jenny explains that a good VPN is not free, so more and more people are watching TV and listening to Russian news. worries her.

Hype

She says that there is a big difference between the Russian and foreign media’s description of the state of war.

– It is unbelievable what the Russian authorities are trying to imagine, she says.

Ina Sangadzhieva of the Helsinki Committee says Putin’s strategy is to scare and silence people.

“There is a lot of confusion and propaganda,” Sangadzhieva told TV2.

It highlights the importance of a good free VPN that allows Russians to access independent media to understand the situation.

Western sanctions, and counter-Russian sanctions and embargoes reinforce Russia’s isolation, and the Soviet comparison is eerily real.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than 15,000 people have been arrested for participating in anti-war demonstrations, according to human rights organization OVD-info.