I am actually Russian too (left the country a bit over a decade ago), and I disagree.

Of course not everyone in Russia is like that, far from it. But a very significant number of actual average Russians are like that. While US coverage of any events is far from perfect with tons of conflicting info, there is no straight up "you aren't allowed to publish or see this, or else suffer the consequences" thing going here, unlike in Russia. You could criticize the government all you want, in public too.

Just the fact that you aren't allowed to, it would create an echochamber stronger than any self-induced FB echochamber in the US can suck one into. The main problem is that instead of many different echochambers, you primarily get one - the one controlled by the russian government. And your only options are being in it or not. The issue is that there are only 2 options, and you are heavily disincentivized from opting out. And the larger an echochamber grows, the stronger and more influential it gets. The chilling effect alone is crazy and suppresses people from saying anything. I was called a "traitor" by my classmates back when I was leaving the country. What a betrayal, wanting to actually get good education and live a good life outside of that place. And that was a bit over a decade ago, before russia-west relations got heated up to the current point, and years before Crimean invasion has even started.

Edit: half the replies down this exact thread in sibling comments seem to be a great illustration of what happens when the type of echochamber I described actually ends up working.

You seem to believe strongly that the fact that you are Russian makes your opinion of what Russians think (or not think) absolutely true.

Well, he is at least speaking for himself, likely has a good idea of what friends and family think so you can take it as a datapoint.

And I would put more stock in that than in someone who isn't Russian.

ofc the fact that I'm Russian don't make me think that my opinion is true, and yet I strongly don't like when someone describes the opinions and thinking of all Russians without exception, sometimes don't even trying to study and understand the roots of the problem between our countries.

Enlighten us then.

I like to think that peaceful EU and USA continue to pump Ukraine with weapons in this fratricidal war. I also like to think that in recent days many countries have blocked a number of Russian media while continuing to pretend that they are actually fighting for freedom of speech.

Source: I'm Russian too.

I find it interesting that you have an issue with the other side having guns.

I have an issue when the other side have guns _and_ use it against their own people for 8 years. Yeah, I have strong issue with that.

I have Russian-speaking Ukrainian friends. They have told me that there is no such pomgrom in Ukraine against them or people like them. They have told me multiple times that Russian friends of theirs keep telling them that they must be scared and they tell them that they are wrong. This is Russian propaganda that you are repeating, and has no base in truth.

It's somewhere in the middle. Russian propaganda exaggerates it. But some episodes truly happen.

I fully supported surgical separation of Donbass along the ceasefire lines. That would have stopped people suffering there, and would have been a forever reminder to Ukraine what happens when you let your nationalist radicals run unleashed and turn blind eye to their actions. What has been happening these 2 last days - indiscriminate killing of people all across the Ukraine - has nothing to do with it, and is a shame on my old country. I hope and believe Ukrainians will get victorious in the end while that catastrophe of a war for Russia will, similar like the defeat in Afghanistan, result in total crash of Putin's regime, and may be, just may be, i don't hold my breath here, some awakening of Russian society as a result of a burning shame and repentance.

Current Russian society has proven incapable of self-management as well as incapable of responsible management of such a large territory and military force including nukes. I suppose that as a result Russia, similar to Germany after WWI and WWII, may be broken up with limits on military force, giving up nukes, and other restrictions. Very probably losing that key place in UN Security Council. In short - Putin with clear permission from the whole society, save for a few brave souls, blew up any last chances for Russia to be a great country. (note: Putin is counting on China's support here agreed upon in exchange for Russian support in the future Taiwan takeover, yet that senile moron completely misses that once things go wrong in the Ukraine invasion - and they will - China will be the first to use the chance to get rid of that aggressive nuclear powered neighbor and to replace it with a docile client state comprised of the Far East part of that former neighbor)

I would love a source.

You are misinformed and are repeating quite a bit of Russian propaganda. There is another Russian active here upthread, maybe have a chat with him?