TUESDAY March 28, 2023: 'BEHIND PUTINS CURTAIN: Inside Russia Today' by ZUMA Press Award winning photojournalist Celestino Arce Lavin in Russia. More than 1 year on from the invasion of Ukraine, the contrast between the scale of the external shocks faced by Russia and the relative inertia inside the country is striking. Despite military failings and punishing sanctions, most Russians have gone on with their lives as though nothing is happening, while the elites have tried not to think about what tomorrow may bring, instead putting their full trust in Putin. However, this year Russia faces three crucial issues, President Putin's plans for his future, the battle between the hawks and pragmatists in the elite, and looming government personnel changes, that could reshape the country. Welcome to 'BEHIND PUTIN'S CURTAIN: Inside Russia Today'
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #882: TUESDAY March 28, 2023: 'BEHIND PUTINS CURTAIN: Inside Russia Today' by ZUMA Press Award winning photojournalist Celestino Arce Lavin in Russia. More than 1 year on from the invasion of Ukraine, the contrast between the scale of the external shocks faced by Russia and the relative inertia inside the country is striking. Despite military failings and punishing sanctions, most Russians have gone on with their lives as though nothing is happening, while the elites have tried not to think about what tomorrow may bring, instead putting their full trust in Putin. However, this year Russia faces three crucial issues, President Putin's plans for his future, the battle between the hawks and pragmatists in the elite, and looming government personnel changes, that could reshape the country. Welcome to 'BEHIND PUTIN'S CURTAIN: Inside Russia Today'

Soviet images shows saluting female recruits painted on a building in the streets of Moscow. Many banners and paintings were created along the city promoting Russian nationalism during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A man walks under a huge banner in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, hanging over a snow filled Moscow street. The banner states 'glory to Russian heroes', with the name and portrait of a Russian soldier killed in battle, lieutenant Dmitry Trusov.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

Portrait of Russian President Putin on the banner of a supporter of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the streets of Moscow. The banner states: ''we are with him, for the Russian sovereignty, and you?'
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

Members of the far right Russian paramilitary unit ''Rusich'' take a walk in the Kremlin square during a break in their participation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A huge 'Z' symbol hangs on the Tabakova theater in Moscow. The 'Z' began to be used by the Russian government as a pro-war propaganda motif, and has been appropriated by pro-Putin civilians as a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A pedestrian walks past an empty shop window of luxury goods brand Cartier in Moscow. Many western brands closed their shops in Russia in support of the war sanctions because the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A woman walks in-front of the Kremlin past huge letters written in Russian stating 'WE ARE TOGETHER' in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

People in the entrance of the fast food restaurant 'Vkusno And Tochka', the company replacement of McDonalds restaurants chain in Russia after the exit of the American company because the sanctions of western countries after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A young woman sits beneath a MIG-29 jet fighter displayed in a Moscow park. Similar jet fighters will be donated by Poland and Slovakia to Ukraine in defense support against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

Matrioska or nesting dolls of Russian politicians in a shop of Moscow, with the largest 'matrioska' of President Putin.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

Shop in Moscow in support of Russian President Putin. 'Putin Team' is the name of a brand of clothes in support of the war policies of the President of the Russian Federation created during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A man wrapped in a Georgian flag is arrested by police on a Moscow street. Any exhibition of foreign countries or 'not authorized' symbols are forbidden during the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

Huge banner in support of the russian invasion of Ukraine in a bus stop of Moscow. Banner says ''victory will be for us'' with the name and portrait of a killed soldier in the war, Andrei Fomin,, mayor sargent
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A woman takes a walk with a dog under the statue of Lesya Ukrainka in Moscow city center. The statue was a symbol of the sympathy for Ukraine during the Russian invasion of the country. People used to lay flowers in the monument until the police started to arrest Ukrainian supporters in the park where statue is located.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

Banner with a soldier image states 'Serve Russia, With A Real Work' in the streets of Saint Petersburg promoting state army recruitment as commuters catch a train during rush hour.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

The flower covered grave of a young Wagner mercenary in the Beloostrovsky cemetery near Saint Petersburg. Mercenaries buried here were killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

Snow covered graves of Wagner group mercenaries killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine buried in the Mavrino village cemetery in the outskirts of Moscow. Every grave has a characteristic flowered crown with two swords and red and yellow flowers used by the Wagner group for its deceased members killed during the war.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire

A Putin supporter distributes war propaganda to the public outside the Kremlin with a huge banner with Putin image stating ''We Are With Him, For The Russian Sovereignty, And You?'. The propaganda paper says 'We Will Destroy The Enemy', in reference to the U.S. and the war in Ukraine.
© Celestino Arce Lavin/ZUMA Press Wire