Russia's navy invasion of Ukraine has drawn fierce condemnation from throughout Europe.
However not in all quarters.
In lots of international locations neighbouring Russia, particularly those who as soon as shaped a part of the USSR, a small minority of principally Russian audio system have come out in help of the invasion and defended Putin's goals.
One instance is the small Baltic state of Lithuania, which borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
As much as 15% of Lithuania's inhabitants are Russian audio system, in keeping with Lithuania's Analysis Council, and Russians make up the second-largest nationwide group in Lithuania.
'It's insanity'
Sasha Danilkova, 25, who was born and raised in Lithuania, solely speaks Russian.
Whereas Danilkova describes herself as Lithuanian, half of her household are Russian audio system descended from Russians and Ukrainians.
"I'm utterly in opposition to the conflict. It's insanity," she mentioned. "Putin and the folks round him have gone loopy."
But, Danilkova's view of the conflict is in stark distinction to that of her dad and mom and prolonged household, particularly its older members.
"They are saying, sure, it's unhappy folks will die," she mentioned. "However a few of my household assume the conflict was wanted and that Putin is right."
What she discovered "the weirdest half" was that such help was aired most vocally by the Ukrainian facet of her household, who've family members within the nation.
Though the views of Lithuania's Russian-speaking minority towards the conflict haven't been surveyed, different polls are indicative.
In a single European Values Research performed in Lithuania, 54% of these whose first language was Russian agreed with the assertion -- pushed by Moscow -- that Russia's insurance policies are an satisfactory response to US and NATO actions directed in opposition to it.
An extra 48 per cent mentioned they thought Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, lawfully belonged to Russia.
'The state of affairs is way from rosy'
Danilkova claimed age was behind her household's pro-Putin sympathies.
"Older generations of Lithuanians are nearer to Russian folks," she mentioned. "They solely devour Russian information and principally discuss to different Russian audio system.
"They do not hear different factors of view," Danilkova added.
No matter their supply, the views of Lithuania's Russian audio system are impacting society.
Dr Margarita Šešelgytė, director of worldwide relations and political science at Vilnius College, mentioned they had been creating "underneath the floor tensions".
She mentioned most of the Russian-speaking group are involved about government-led initiatives to rename the Russian Drama Theatre of Lithuania in Vilnius, as a result of Ukraine conflict, in addition to dismantling Soviet statues.
Russian audio system are additionally more and more seen by Lithuanians with suspicion, in keeping with Šešelgytė.
"There are specific prevailing stereotypes that trigger a scarcity of belief," she mentioned, citing how Russian audio system' intentions to affix the Lithuanian military had been met with suspicion and hostility in public debates.
'It by no means precipitated issues prior to now'
Nonetheless, the affect of Russia just isn't solely associated to age.
In accordance with Šešelgytė, help for Russia and Putin is "fairly excessive" in Lithuanian's Russian-speaking faculties.
She pointed to the truth that many lecturers inside the colleges had been Russian, alongside the usage of the Russian language which "helps assemble an id of who they're".
“The colleges are locations the place Russian propaganda and disinformation nonetheless reaches the youthful section of the society," Šešelgytė mentioned.
"It's a problem we've to consider."
There are at present 48 Russian faculties in Lithuania, instructing some 14,000 pupils annually.
In an effort to curtail Russia's affect, Lithuania banned Russian and Belarussian TV channels in 2022 and blocked many Russian information retailers on-line.
Nonetheless, Šešelgytė mentioned the state of affairs in Lithuania was "not as dangerous as in different Baltic states", the place there are massive Russian-speaking minorities.
One motive, she claims, is that Lithuania's Russian audio system are nicely built-in.
"They take part in civil service, research on the similar college, go to the identical eating places, the identical bars ... which isn't the case in different Baltic international locations the place there's extra segregation," she mentioned.
Russian audio system in Latvia and Estonia, the place they account for roughly 25 per cent of the inhabitants, have lengthy confronted political and social difficulties since their independence from the USSR in 1991.
A major quantity have nonetheless not attained citizenship, which means they're unable to vote or maintain workplace nationally or within the European parliament.
'The conflict doesn't permit a gray zone'
Šešelgytė mentioned issues for Lithuania's Russian-speaking minority had been "getting higher" because the generations modified, regardless of the issues surrounding the conflict.
Lithuania is among the most lively and vocal world supporters of Ukraine.
Some 50% of Lithuanians have donated cash or discovered different methods of serving to Ukraine, in keeping with a Baltic Information Service Ballot.
This common local weather, mentioned Šešelgytė, was pushing Russian-speaking Lithuanians to disagree with the conflict.
“Within the conflict, there isn't any place for the gray zone," she mentioned. "It's both white or black and you must take one facet."
These efforts have additionally been supported by an efficient authorities message that has distanced Lithuania's Russian audio system from the battle past their borders.
"What we've succeeded in doing is pushing a message that the conflict is brought on by the Russian regime and which are Russian audio system are protected," she mentioned. "This isn't a witch hunt.
"We've to remain united," she added.
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