Zara, H&M, Ikea… All of them suddenly suspended sales in the Russian market, lowering iron curtains in many shopping centers in the Russian capital and dumbfounding some buyers. If in 40 years Muscovites have experienced several periods of crisis, shortages or hyperinflation, then the last two decades of Vladimir Putin’s rule have become for many an era of certain prosperity and access to consumption. The Russian authorities can repeat that Russia will quickly recover from the international sanctions imposed since February 24 and the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine, a gloomy tomorrow awaits many. Anastasia Naumenko, a 19-year-old journalism student, worked at the Oisho clothing store. She lost her job as Spanish giant Inditex closed the store. This weekend Monday, she wants to buy cosmetics if she can afford it, as the ruble plummets under the onslaught of economic and financial sanctions from the West. “I heard that prices have already quadrupled,” said a girl at the entrance to the Moscow Metropolis shopping center. Before participation: “It will be terrible.” Because with a ban on any information defaming the Russian military coming into effect over the weekend, she also feels she must give up her dream of journalism. “Who needs my profession with this censorship,” continues the young girl, “how to live in a world that is limited to Russia…”.
Ksenia Filippova, a 19-year-old student, walks out of a fine lingerie store with a small pink bag in her hand, in the company of a friend holding a dog on a leash. A little embarrassed, the girl explains that she “came to buy (her) favorite brands for the last time, because everything is closed.” And here “the rise in prices hits the wallet.” But she also tries to see things from the bright side. “Russian brands can replace them, perhaps the sanctions will benefit the Russian market.” Vladimir Putin has been saying for years that economic retribution should enable Russia to produce its own goods. While progress has been made in agri-food or textile production, so far there has been minimal progress in technology.
On the commercial artery of Kuznetsky Most, where shops are now closed, Tamara Sotnikova, 70, says she doesn’t care about sanctions. “Everything should be from us, truthfully and naturally! “, – the pensioner lights up. “What did we have in Soviet times? Nothing! And we lived normally, calmly.