Steve Rosenberg

Steve Rosenberg examines what observers are calling Russia's "special election operation", arguing that pessimism is deepening across Russian society. The report frames the tightly managed vote as part of the Kremlin's broader wartime language, and suggests ordinary Russians increasingly doubt the future. The piece is drawing wide attention for its reading of the public mood ahead of and during the presidential election.

A Russian newspaper has published a warning about the "deterioration of the economic situation" in Russia, a striking admission given state media's usual upbeat framing of the wartime economy. BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg highlighted the warning, drawing wide attention. Observers see it as a rare sign that concerns over sanctions pressure, high interest rates and inflation are entering mainstream Russian discourse.