Do you mean in Crimea (not Ukraine anymore), where the quality of life is vastly improved
Are you arguing russia is not corrupt? This claim would require an enormous amount of intellectual dishonesty.
lucky enough to escape their corrupt government
Depends what you are comparing. I know that life in pre-war Donbas was better than on the Russian area right across the border from Donbas.
There is pretty much no honest way to claim that life in Ukraine is better than in Russia.
Pensions have also increased 3 or more times. In fact, they are now at the average Russian level, and, I believe, indexed to local prices, which were a bit higher than neighboring Krasnodar because of logistical issues (lack of a bridge). Anecdotal reports from people who have been there this summer suggest that prices are settling to the Krasnodar level, now that the bridge is open. I didn't make it there this summer, so I can't speak first hand.
Are you arguing russia is not corrupt? This claim would require an enormous amount of intellectual dishonesty.
Of course, Russia still has corruption, but it doesn't touch the average person nearly as much as westerners imagine it might.
Depends what you are comparing. I know that life in pre-war Donbas was better than on the Russian area right across the border from Donbas.
The regions right across from Dosbas are Rostov and Krasnodar...both thoroughly modern regions, so, this claim is hard to swallow. I myself have been living in Krasnodar region for over a year, and it is quite easy to live to a western standard if you have a reasonable profession.