Åsne Seierstad's New Book Explores a War-Weary Russia Under Putin

Norwegian journalist Åsne Seierstad, born in 1970, traveled across Russia from 2023 to 2025 for a major reportage. Her book portrays a population that appears weary of war but avoids open revolt. A Moscow professor of international relations coined the phrase "the war is elsewhere" to capture this mood. Recent reports suggest Vladimir Putin's approval ratings are falling, yet a survey by the state-linked FOM institute still shows 73 percent satisfaction with his work. The ambiguity of "only" 73 percent—whether it signals decline or remains high—is compounded by doubts about the poll's reliability. News from inside Russia rarely reaches the outside world, and few journalists now travel there to report. Seierstad is an exception. She first gained prominence for war reporting from Kabul and Grozny, demonstrating a fearlessness that also marks her recent trips to Russia. The book, based on her 2023–2025 journeys, offers a rare window into a society that seems resigned yet not rebellious.