Russians opt for hope over hardship

The atmosphere brought about by the New Year decorations in Russia for 2025 feels noticeably different from what I observed years ago.

I still remember December 2022.Alongside the traditional tall fir trees, giant Zs and Vs stood prominently — symbols of victory for the country's special military operation in Ukraine, which began on Feb 24 that year. This year, however, there are no Zs, no Vs, and no slogans at Moscow's main gatherings, as the conflict enters its fourth year.

A similar shift is evident in parts of Central Russia's Siberia. Two years ago in Chita, towering ice sculptures of Russian soldiers clutching Kalashnikov rifles stood among the New Year and Orthodox Christmas decorations. This year, such displays are absent — replaced by snow figures.