Russian youth: catalyst for change or stabilisation?

Abstract

The aim of this article is to characterise Russian youth living in a country which has been at war with neighbouring Ukraine since 24 February 2022. Considering the difficulty of directly reaching the target group, a non-invasive research method was applied, namely, secondary data analysis. The analyses included representative survey studies conducted among the Russian society by the main research centres: Levada-Center, VCIOM, Russian Field. Based on the conducted analyses, it may be asserted that in terms of religion, attitudes towards sexual minorities, views on the West, using the Internet for obtaining information, and mental health, Russian youth are significantly different from the older generation, and their attitudes align with global trends set by the iGen. Positive evaluations of Putin’s rule and the country’s situation, support for Russia’s involvement in the war in Ukraine, and negative attitudes towards Ukrainians are almost identical to those of the older generation. Russian youth adopt a conformist strategy towards the system, and will continue the direction of the country’s development in line with government directives.