A total of 56% of citizens in the aggressor state of Russia wish for international companies to return to the Russian market. As reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) of Ukraine, citing research from the “Group 7/89” association, society in Russia is increasingly feeling the consequences of the geopolitical isolation that followed the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The FIS notes that what was once a stable market with a wide selection of international brands has devolved into a landscape of forced substitutes, parallel imports, and surging prices. This desire for the return of global business is particularly strong among the youth: 84% of respondents aged 18–29 support the return of international companies. This suggests that the generation most accustomed to global standards is suffering the most from the Kremlin’s self-isolation policies.
Technological and industrial sectors have suffered the most painful blows. Following the departure of giants like Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, and Autodesk, the Russian software market has entered a state of artificial isolation. This has led to higher prices, reduced competition, and a reliance on complex, often unreliable, workarounds. “Import substitution has become a forced replacement with no alternatives matching the level of global products,” the Ukrainian intelligence agency pointed out.
The situation regarding everyday consumer goods is equally revealing. Food, cosmetics, and household appliances have become significantly more expensive due to logistical complications and the complexities of parallel imports. A portion of the Russian public is now openly admitting that their domestic industry is unable to provide quality alternatives, debunking long-standing propaganda myths about the strength of Russian manufacturing.
Economic reality is beginning to clash with the Kremlin’s narrative. As the standard of living drops and access to modern technology vanishes, the demand for a return to normalcy—defined by the presence of global businesses—continues to grow among the Russian population. This trend highlights the deep-seated structural crisis that cannot be masked by state propaganda, proving that Russia’s “pivot” to internal isolation is unsustainable in the long term.