That is no contradiction. Authoritarians can have public support while at the same time severely oppressing opposition or anyone who dares to voice something else.

Also, opposition to Putin does not imply opposition to annexation of Ukrainian lands or turning Ukrainians into Russians by force. Opposition to Putin does not imply pro-democracy reform either.

> It is rational to hate Russians in general

Hate is a feeling. But accusations of Russophobia are all about support for sanctions or Ukraine in war. And are deployed whenever someone points out Russia as is now is threat to not just Ukraine, but to all countries in former eastern block.

All those are rational. So, if that matter average Russians look really down on Ukrainians too, are happy to use slurs against them and act offended it other formerly occupied countries are not "thankful".

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If anything, Russia was enabled rather then opposed for years. It was treated as something special, more worthy then other countries around it.

Russia is not opposing America as much as they are opposing right to existence as democracies to countries around them. It is way more countries around Russia calling for help to Ukraine then anyone else.

And yes, being at risk of being invaded by someone makes people hate that one. It makes them think again about what that country done to them before.

Brother. You are all over the place.

I was replying to this part:

> Russia is an authoritarian state lead by one man and his inner circle. This man has very high public support. In particular, Russian population supports imperial ideology.

To which I reply: Yes, it’s rational to “hate” someone if they oppose you. And “someone” here means normal Russians.

I was not talking about the Russian government in this context.

And I don’t know why you brought up America.