‘I see bad times ahead.’ Sanctions start to get real for Russians.

So far, the world’s sweeping economic backlash to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is primarily being felt by Russians most engaged with the West. But everyone knows that the real bite is yet to come.

Virtually overnight, Russia has become the most sanctioned nation in at least a century, if not ever.

Barely two weeks ago, most Russians enjoyed relatively prosperous, consumerist lives, with access to goods and services familiar to anyone in the West. They were able to travel, use their Russia-based bank cards in just about every country, order...