Russian Officials Privately Acknowledge Putin System Crisis as Approval Falls to 65.6%
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · May 22
Russian Officials Privately Acknowledge Putin System Crisis as Approval Falls to 65.6%
2 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · May 22
Verstka reported that mid-level Kremlin officials and bureaucrats are privately discussing a growing crisis in Putin’s system, with some fearing they would have no future if his power weakens or collapses.
65.6% — Putin’s approval rating fell to its lowest level since before the 2022 invasion, down 4.5 points since late March as the war drags on and the economy slows.
War-linked officials are described as the most nervous groups, especially those managing domestic political control and those profiting from the conflict, while Putin’s inner circle still feels relatively secure.
Internet restrictions have added to the pressure: Russia blocked Telegram in March along with YouTube and Facebook while pushing the state-backed Max app, a move critics say is meant to tighten surveillance and suppress dissent.
The unease is spreading beyond anonymous officials — Communist lawmaker Renat Suleimanov has warned Russia’s economy cannot withstand a prolonged war and said the campaign in Ukraine should end quickly.
As Kremlin insiders lose faith, are we witnessing the slow collapse of Putin's power structure?
With a new minister purging the old guard, is Russia's military becoming more efficient or just more brutal?
Can surging oil prices from a new war save Russia's economy from the immense strain of the Ukraine conflict?
Putin’s Approval Drops to 65.6%: War, Repression, and Economic Woes Fuel Rising Discontent in Russia
Overview
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings surged, staying above 75% for much of the conflict. However, as the war dragged on, Russia faced a worsening economic downturn and increasing online repression, leading to a steady decline in Putin's ratings. Brief dips were seen after the 2022 military mobilization, and recent polls show only a slight uptick in trust. These trends highlight how the initial rally around the leader has given way to growing public dissatisfaction, driven by economic hardship and tighter state controls.