they've left the country. a few days ago, mark and his family escaped to nepal. he is trying to speak to loved ones in russia about the conflict. many of my relatives were having doubts after we spoke to them. but later, they watch tv again and told me, "well, no, i don't think you're right. well, i believe putin, he is very powerful. there are enemies everywhere." i just can't understand how they can believe it, but they do. and if you tell someone the same thing, over and over again, it becomes like truth. as russia shuts off independent media, there is less to challenge the kremlin's narrative, and the patriotic drumbeat telling russians to support president putin is only getting louder. carolyn davis, bbc news, moscow. let's talk to uliana pavlova, a ukrainian—russian freelance journalist in moscow.