This has approximately as much credibility as trying to argue that Hitler was defending German citizens in Poland. Much like Germany with its concentration camps and Gestapo was a very dangerous place at the time for any German (and other people), Russia in 2024 is one of the most dangerous places for any Russian (and other people). Freedom indices place Russia near the end of global ranking[1]. The mere act of writing and performing an anti-war poem can get you raped by police and sentenced to years in a horrible penal colony[2], where lack of medical care slowly kills you[3].
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_freedom_indices#List_o...
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/28/moscow-court-h...
[3] https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur46/8805/2024/en/
Centuries of war are irrelevant. Talk about this one. And start in 2014, or even before if you're in the mood.