It is an example of the type of compromise that has been made by certain employees of the Kremlin propaganda machine over the years - individuals who valued the stability of their job and the creative challenge it presented, even if they did not necessarily agree with the goals of their workplace. After President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Likin, who had been the art director for Channel 1, a major player in the Russian state television network and Kremlin's propaganda machine, resigned. He stated that he was not a political person, but the invasion forced him to recognize that he was now involved in a harmful agenda. Likin observed that in Russia, television is primarily consumed by individuals who are either too lazy to seek out alternative sources of information or lack the ability to critically analyze information. The invasion of Ukraine has prompted some Russians who have long been affiliated with the government to sever ties, indicating that the Kremlin is facing challenges in maintaining unity among society in support of the war. Thousands of people have been arrested for protesting against the invasion of Ukraine, with tens of thousands fleeing the country. Anatoly Chubais, Putin's climate envoy, recently resigned, making him the first senior government official to do so since the invasion began on February 24. Several high-profile resignations have also occurred at Russia's state television channels, which are crucial for Putin's control over domestic politics. Marina Ovsyannikova, a Channel 1 staff member, made a bold statement by interrupting a live news broadcast to display an anti-war poster. Other resignations, like that of Likin, have been more subtle but still reflect the unrest within Putin's regime and the significant influence of television in shaping public perception of the war. Zhanna Agalakova, a Channel 1 correspondent who recently resigned, described her colleagues as feeling clinically depressed in the current situation. Many individuals who are thoughtful are feeling their own sense of guilt, with no clear way out. Merely seeking forgiveness is not sufficient. Despite the increasing influence of YouTube and social media, Russia's national television networks, all controlled by the Kremlin, remain the primary source of news for the public. According to surveys by the Levada Center, about two-thirds of Russians relied on state television for news last year, a decrease from 90% in 2014. State television channels have portrayed a narrative of the conflict that contrasts sharply with Western perspectives, depicting Russians as the heroes bringing liberation to Ukrainian lands from neo-Nazis supported by the dominant West, a stark contrast to how they were portrayed during World War II fighting Nazi Germany. Photographs of dead civilians and destroyed homes are being wrongly dismissed as either fake or the result of Ukrainians shelling their own areas. A Channel 1 reporter stated that local residents in Mariupol believe that the Ukrainian military is intentionally targeting residential buildings, while others claim that nationalists were instructed to destroy the city before retreating. Polls show that many Russians are influenced by the narrative presented on state television, which portrays the war as a continuation of longstanding grievances against the West. Despite this, most state television journalists continue to amplify the message of Russia fighting for its right to exist. Anchor Liliya Gildeyeva, who recently left the state-run channel NTV, expressed understanding for her colleagues who remained, admitting that she had compromised her principles and only realized the extent of it when the war began. She stated that when you start to give in to your own desires slowly, you may not realize how far you have fallen. The shock of the war has caused a significant number of Russians to leave the country in recent weeks, with many flying to destinations like Turkey and Armenia. Among those leaving are not just journalists and activists avoiding potential arrest, but also young professionals who no longer see a future for themselves in Russia. Even some of Russia's elite have decided to leave, with the most prominent departure being Chubais, the Kremlin's climate envoy, who resigned due to the war in Ukraine and left the country. The Kremlin has confirmed that Chubais has resigned. He was viewed as one of the few officials in Putin's government who held liberal views, and his significant role in the economic reforms of the 1990s in Moscow made him unpopular among many Russians. It remains uncertain whether the discontent among some members of the elite could pose a threat to Putin's government. Likin, a former Channel 1 art director, suggested that those who are willing to resign for their beliefs are a small minority in Russia. Agalakova, a former Channel 1 correspondent, noted that many of her former colleagues who chose to remain in their positions were not motivated by any particular ideology. People who work in state television and decide to leave, especially if they speak out, face an uncertain future. Agalakova, who used to be a correspondent in Paris, mentioned that some of her friends stopped talking to her after she resigned. Likin, on the other hand, plans to stay in Russia and continue working as an architect. He mentioned that he might consider going back to television if it changes its focus from promoting violence to promoting life. Government-sponsored surveys indicate that most Russians are in favor of Putin's actions in the invasion, but experts warn that people may not be honest when responding to surveys during wartime. Agalakova now realizes that years of propaganda on Russian television have contributed to the current support for the government's policies by distorting Russians' memories of their country's sacrifices in World War II. Agalakova stated that the mention of Nazism in Ukraine by the Kremlin causes immediate reactions in society, comparing it to a deceptive and dishonest game. Due to the overwhelming propaganda, Russians who are skeptical of television have limited sources for accurate news. The Echo of Moscow radio station and TV Rain independent television channel have been shut down, while access to Facebook and Instagram has been blocked. Additionally, journalist Alexander Nevzorov is 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 involves 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. Denis Volkov from the Levada polling center believes that the true test of Russian public opinion will come when the economic consequences of Western sanctions are fully felt. Despite this, Volkov thinks that the Kremlin's narrative of the West undermining Ukraine and Russia heroically defending its people abroad has been deeply ingrained in the minds of television viewers and is unlikely to be challenged soon. Many Russians tend to accept news that aligns with the television narrative and reject anything that contradicts it, regardless of its truthfulness.