“Rally Around the Flag” Effects in the Russian–Ukrainian War

This article examines whether Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine generated a “rally-around-the-flag” effect that increased domestic support for Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. Drawing on time-series public opinion data from Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and the United States, the authors analyze patterns of political support, nationalism, and public attitudes during the conflict. The study situates these developments within broader theories of wartime political behavior and assesses the size, duration, and limits of rally effects during international crises and armed conflict.