Nicky was executed precisely because of the war.
Do you realize that the Russians are not simmering in the same sort of war propaganda the Westerners are? Their perception of what is going on is more balanced. They are also experiencing a rise in incomes and in a deflation which might be bad for big business but good for regular folks.
nicky also lied in 1905.
he gave the people a parliament to stave off protests because of russian losses in the russo japanese war.
then, 2 years later he closed down parliament