As their own death toll rises to more than 19,000 in the war with Ukraine, citing Kyiv estimates, Russian citizens are becoming more disenchanted with the ongoing fighting — despite the government's lingering threat of punishing those speaking their minds.
According to the Daily Mail, Russians are coming together in the name of peace, imploring Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop sending more "cannon fodder soldiers" into battle.
"God, it's unbearable to see and read this," noted Natasha Ilina when learning of the death of Alexei Veselkov, a 24-year-old Russian tank driver, who was married last year and welcomed the birth of a new daughter just last month. "So young, and they haven't even seen their children. Eternal memory."
One Veselkov-related commenter lamented: "He looks 17. It's so sad. So many of our men have died." Another Russian citizen reportedly wondered, "When will (this bloodshed) end? How do (Veselkov's family) survive this grief? Who needs this (war)?"
And another commenter echoed that thought with a simple question: "When will all this nightmare end?"
It's getting increasingly difficult for anti-war Russian citizens to exercise self-expression on social media.
According to NPR, Russia recently banned Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, citing "extremist activities," while approving a special exemption for the WhatsApp messaging service.
Twitter usage in Russia has also been restricted over the last six weeks, according to reports.
The Daily Mail referenced six other fallen Russian soldiers in its piece: Maxim Bolshakov, 22; Dmitry Kozubenko, 21; Arsalan Togmitov, 24; Cpl. Solbon Bolotov, 26; tank driver Bair Rinchinov, 32; and senior sergeant Namzhil Sangadiyev, 38.
The death of Bolshakov from Ulan-Ude, the hardest-hit Russian region for casualties, elicited more outrage from Tsyren-Dulma Ayusheeva: "I am only sorry for peaceful Ukrainian people and our military who are dying because of politicians making money in this so-called military operation.
"This is a war, not something else. ... When will this be over?"
And regarding Sangadiyev's death, Alexey Sayanov glumly stated: "Our land has lost so many sons; we're praying he's the last one in this list. Condolences to the family and loved ones."
The totality of it all has been too much to bear for many Russian citizens.
"They had all lives ahead, my heart is aching for them," said Larisa Sundupova-Namsaraeva.
It remains to be seen when President Putin might call for an end to war.
At this point, a resolution for both sides doesn't appear imminent — even with mounting deaths on both sides.
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