[throwaway290]

The invasion started in 2014. There are people who understood back then and protested. There were also active supporters and people who believed the government that ukrainians engaged in a genocide of russians. But forget about them.

Most of techies and people I know have been what counts as "supporters by default". They don't watch TV, don't listen to what government says, read western media and low key ridicule putin. They knew something is going on but did not care to understand and protest what's happening. It's "politics" to them and they are "above" it. Me included.

I am only catching up now after the war entered this phase in 2022. But with no GFW like in China nothing prevented me from becoming aware earlier and doing whatever (protesting, emigrating) except my own convenience.

Some people still don't get it really. They just left the country to evade mandatory conscription end of last year. They continue to be supporters by default in other countries.