[AnimalMuppet]

You know, if I lived in Russia right now, and some random person I never heard of started texting me and talking about the war, I'd at least have to consider the possibility that they were FSB, and guard my words accordingly.

Not saying that all the people you texted thought that way, but I'm not sure you can reach a definitive conclusion based on your experiment.

[hckrnrd]

This is a great point! Without verifying the entity on the other end of the line and the risk that my words could be used against me—and my loved ones—I’d toe the line and parrot back the official position of the corrupt gov’t. What’s the upside to speak out with some random SMS?

[packet_nerd]

Yes, of course it's likely there are some who oppose the war but are uneasy about expressing that to a stranger. I was just surprised to get no support at all.