What kind of state do Russians want to live in? What kind of state has been built?

This article examines the challenge of translating the desired vision for Russia's future, shared by a majority of its citizens, into practical reality. The issue's relevance is analyzed both before and after the commencement of the special military operation in Ukraine. Drawing on nationwide and regional sociological studies, as well as expert evaluations, the authors conclude that for most citizens, the desired future for Russia is that of a strong, sovereign nation grounded primarily in traditional values – with social justice being paramount – and the principles of a social welfare state. This vision broadly aligns with the course of national development pursued by Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past 25 years. However, the authors also note a persistent skepticism among experts and the broader public regarding the feasibility of actually achieving this desired future. This problem existed both prior to and following the start of the special military operation. Its root cause is identified as the inability or unwillingness of a significant portion of the ruling elites to implement the head of state's strategic objectives aimed at strengthening national sovereignty. As a result, the future of Russia remains uncertain in the eyes of many of its citizens. Consequently, Russia's struggle for continued sovereign development is framed not only as a conflict with the Collective West but also as an internal battle against the nation's own protracted domestic issues. For the President, a key imperative thus becomes laying the groundwork to bring the system of state governance into alignment with the public's vision for the country's future. This entails, above all, concluding the special military operation on terms favorable to Russia and selecting a successor capable of continuing and reinforcing the quarter-century-long course of national development. The empirical foundation of the research is based on the authors' own sociological monitoring data, nationwide surveys, and assessments from a broad spectrum of experts. The authors' contribution lies in developing the theoretical and methodological framework for scholarly inquiry into defining the contours of Russia's future vision and identifying the obstacles to its practical implementation.