"Weapons of the Weak": An Ethnography of Urban Everyday Life During the War on Ukraine

Abstract

This essay explores subtle forms of anti-war resistance in Russia, focusing on opposition-minded citizens since the invasion of Ukraine. Despite widespread repression and laws criminalizing dissent, some citizens continue to resist through "quiet" protests, such as sabotage, Aesopian language, and doublethink. The essay highlights how public discussions about the war have shifted to private conversations, with criticism framed through humanitarian rather than political lenses. Drawing on observations in St. Petersburg, the text illustrates how everyday acts of defiance challenge the dominant pro-war narrative in a society where public dissent can lead to severe consequences.