The impact of the ongoing conflict is becoming increasingly difficult for the Kremlin to shield from the domestic public.
"We hope that all sides will start moving towards each other and discuss conditions for a peace deal," said Andrei, who was queuing with his wife.
"But now unfortunately we don't see it from our European partners. So perhaps the situation will only get worse."
Despite the current difficulties, he remained unfazed by the economic pressure. "We survived the 90s.
We remember times that were much more difficult. It doesn't scare us."
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the growing domestic crisis publicly on state television, acknowledging the disruption.
"Obviously creating problems," he said, but sought to reassure the public by insisting "it's not critical."
He also noted that the attacks were designed to create internal discord: "create uncertainty for us, or even better to lead to a schism in Russian society."
He stated that the country's most urgent task was "to rapidly and significantly increase production of the air defense systems," signaling heightened vulnerability.
Independent polling shows public satisfaction is declining alongside economic confidence, though analysts doubt it will lead to political upheaval.
"The costs of the conflict are rising," said Christopher Weafer, head of regional consultancy Macro Advisory.
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"While the full impact from the fuel crisis will not be seen in the statistics until July, the likelihood of lasting crisis has significantly dimmed the growth prospects for the remaining part of the year."
