INSTITUTE BRIEF
The Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia (IKAR) is an independent, non-profit think tank providing policymakers, military experts, researchers, and journalists with insights on Russia and security challenges emerging from its policies. We conduct comprehensive, evidence-driven research on Russia — its internal processes, propaganda, and hybrid operations.
Russia’s political system is approaching the elections amid accumulated social tension and frustration. The continuation of the war sustains a high level of uncertainty, the prospect of a new wave of mobilization remains a sensitive issue, and worsening economic expectations are increasingly affecting Russians’ everyday lives. Rising prices, expensive loans, pressure on the state budget,…
The use of foreign nationals presented by Russian officials and state media as “international observers” or “experts” has become a regular feature of efforts to legitimize Russian elections. Unlike professional monitoring missions, which follow established methodologies and assess the entire electoral cycle, these observers often make short visits, attend a limited number of polling stations,…
Amid persistent military tensions, several sensitive issues in Russia are converging into a broader agenda affecting domestic resilience. Expectations of mobilization are sustaining high levels of public anxiety, while the fuel crisis is increasing socioeconomic pressure. Against this backdrop, the upcoming elections are becoming a key test of the Russian state’s ability to maintain social…
Briefings, public conversations, and closed-door roundtables.
See all researchThe Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia (IKAR) conducted two regional sociological studies — one in Krasnodar krai and the other in Rostov oblast — as part of a systematic study of Russian society. The survey was conducted in Krasnodar krai from May 14 to 31, 2026, and in Rostov oblast…
War has once again become the number one concern for Russians, and they would like it to end as soon as possible The Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia (IKAR) conducted a sociological survey as part of its monitoring of Russian society, called the “Mirror of Russia.” The 10th wave was conducted from…
Russia uses common and proven approaches in its attempts to influence electoral processes in other countries. Significant efforts are directed at Russian-speaking voters in these countries and at presenting the elections there to their own citizens in the light necessary for internal political stability within the Russian Federation itself. Our research aims to analyze the…
Indicators, monitoring, and rapid-response analysis.
See all analyticsRussia’s political system is approaching the elections amid accumulated social tension and frustration. The continuation of the war sustains a high level of uncertainty, the prospect of a new wave of mobilization remains a sensitive issue, and worsening economic expectations are increasingly affecting Russians’ everyday lives. Rising prices, expensive loans, pressure on the state budget,…
The use of foreign nationals presented by Russian officials and state media as “international observers” or “experts” has become a regular feature of efforts to legitimize Russian elections. Unlike professional monitoring missions, which follow established methodologies and assess the entire electoral cycle, these observers often make short visits, attend a limited number of polling stations,…
Amid persistent military tensions, several sensitive issues in Russia are converging into a broader agenda affecting domestic resilience. Expectations of mobilization are sustaining high levels of public anxiety, while the fuel crisis is increasing socioeconomic pressure. Against this backdrop, the upcoming elections are becoming a key test of the Russian state’s ability to maintain social…
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