It is an example of the type of compromise that has been made by employees of the Kremlin's propaganda machine for a long time - individuals who appreciated the stable employment and creative challenges, even if they did not agree with the goals of their workplace. Likin, who had been the art director for Channel 1, the Russian state television network, for many years, finally resigned this month after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. He stated that he was not a politician, but the invasion forced him to be part of a campaign with a deadly agenda. Likin explained in a phone interview that Russian television caters to those who are unwilling to seek information from other sources, typically individuals lacking education or critical thinking skills. The invasion of Ukraine by Putin has prompted some Russians who previously worked for the government to sever ties with it, indicating the Kremlin's struggle to maintain unity among society in support of the war. There have been numerous arrests and mass exodus from Ukraine in protest of the invasion, as well as several high-profile resignations within the Russian government and state television channels. One particularly notable act of protest was Marina Ovsyannikova interrupting a live news broadcast to display an anti-war poster. The resignations offer a glimpse into the turmoil within Putin's system and highlight the significant influence of television in shaping public opinion on the war. Some individuals left behind are reportedly experiencing clinical depression. Many individuals who think critically are feeling a sense of guilt, with no clear way out. Merely asking for forgiveness is not sufficient. Despite the decline in influence due to platforms like YouTube and social media, Russia's national television networks, all controlled by the Kremlin, remain the primary source of news for much of the public. According to surveys conducted by the Levada Center, about two-thirds of Russians relied on state television for news last year, a decrease from 90% in 2014. Throughout the war, state television has presented Russians with a narrative of the conflict that contrasts sharply with what is shown in the West, portraying Russians as the heroes, akin to their role in World War II, liberating Ukrainian lands from neo-Nazis funded by the West. Photographs of dead civilians and destroyed homes are being falsely labeled as either fake or the result of Ukrainians shelling their own areas. A reporter from Channel 1 reported that locals in Mariupol believe the Ukrainian military is intentionally targeting residential buildings, while others claim nationalists were ordered to destroy the city before retreating. Polls show that most Russians believe the narrative being presented on their television, which portrays the war as a continuation of longstanding grievances against the West. State television journalists have intensified their message of Russia fighting for its existence, while some, like Liliya Gildeyeva, have left their jobs due to compromises made in the past. She mentioned that when you start to give in to yourself slowly, you may not realize how far you have fallen. The shock of the war has caused many Russians to leave the country in recent weeks, with planes heading to destinations like Turkey and Armenia. Some fleeing are journalists and activists fearing arrest, while others are young professionals who see no future for themselves in Russia. Even some members of Russia's elite have left, with the high-profile departure of Chubais, the Kremlin's climate envoy, making headlines on Wednesday due to his resignation over the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has confirmed Chubais' resignation, noting his status as one of the few liberal officials left in Putin's government. Chubais' involvement in economic reforms in the 1990s made him unpopular in Russia. It is uncertain if discontent among some elites could affect Putin's government stability. Likin, a former Channel 1 art director, believes those willing to resign over principles are a small minority in Russia. Agalakova, a former Channel 1 correspondent, criticized colleagues who stayed for not working for an idea. Individuals have families, debts, and basic needs for survival. Those who leave their jobs at state television, especially those who speak out, face an uncertain future. Agalakova, speaking from Paris where she worked as a correspondent, mentioned that some of her contacts stopped communicating with her after she resigned. Likin, on the other hand, plans to stay in Russia and continue his career as an architect, with the possibility of returning to television if there is a shift in the network's agenda. Government-sponsored surveys suggest that most Russians support Putin's actions in the invasion, although analysts note that people may be less honest in their responses during times of conflict. Agalakova now realizes that years of propaganda on Russian television played a role in shaping public opinion to support the government's current policies, by distorting the memory of the country's sacrifice in World War II. Agalakova expressed her concern about the impact of the Kremlin's false claims of fighting Nazis in Ukraine, stating that it creates an immediate reaction in society. She described it as a shameless and fraudulent game. As a result of the propaganda, Russians who are skeptical of television have limited options for obtaining accurate news. The Echo of Moscow radio station has been shut down, TV Rain has gone off the air, and access to Facebook and Instagram has been blocked by the government. Recently, journalist Alexander Nevzorov came under criminal investigation for sharing information about the Russian bombing of Mariupol on his Instagram page. The most recent attempt to instill fear in critics of the war involved the enforcement of a new law in Russia that can result in up to 15 years in prison for going against the official narrative of the conflict in Ukraine. According to Denis Volkov, the director of the Levada polling center, the true test of Russian public opinion will come as economic difficulties caused by Western sanctions impact society. Despite this, Volkov believes that the Kremlin's narrative of the West undermining Ukraine to weaken Russia and Russia defending its people abroad has become deeply entrenched in the minds of television viewers and is unlikely to be challenged soon. According to Volkov, many Russians accept news that aligns with the television narrative and reject anything that does not, regardless of its truthfulness.