A handful are Russians, and I guess I could say a few of them are friends though I've never met any of them in person.

To a person they all avoid participation in any discussions that that could be interpreted as anti-state. I tell myself they're just trying to stay safe-- one in particular is far to gentle and kind a person for me to imagine supporting the invasion.

Maybe in a few months (or years) they'll be willing to open up again, but I'm not going to press them for any opinions or editorials about the conflict. So, like you, we keep it casual in the shadow of war. Just to be on the safe side.