Ordinary Russians are starting to face the consequences of seizing Crimea, with billions of pounds being drained from their pockets for years to come. After President Putin signed off the annexation of Ukraine's southern peninsula live on television earlier this year Russian national pride surged to levels not seen in decades. Fed by a triumphalist state media, the feel-good factor has endured and the Russian leader's approval rating has risen to 86 per cent.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
The Times: Russia faces up to harsh cost of Crimea
People walk near the seafront of Crimea's famous resort city of Yalta on June 4. The Russian government said this month that it will invest 620 billion roubles (\u00a310.5 billion) on developing Crimea and its biggest city, Sevastopol, between now and 2020.
