Putin Approval Drops 5 Points to 66% as Fuel Shortages Overtake War Concerns
Updated
Updated · The Daily Beast · Jul 17
Putin Approval Drops 5 Points to 66% as Fuel Shortages Overtake War Concerns
3 articles · Updated · The Daily Beast · Jul 17
Summary
A Kremlin-linked FOM poll found Putin’s approval at 66% on July 10-12, down from 71% a week earlier—the steepest weekly drop since Russia’s 2022 partial mobilization.
Fuel shortages appear to be driving the slide: 19% of respondents named the fuel crunch Russia’s biggest problem, ahead of the war in Ukraine at 18% and attacks on Russian territory at 14%.
Kyiv’s strikes on refineries, combined with Western sanctions, have tightened supplies despite Russia producing more than 12% of global crude; wholesale prices have risen, rationing has spread and Moscow drivers have queued for fuel.
The strain is hitting Russia’s wartime finances because oil and energy generate about 30% of budget revenue, while regional officials reportedly scramble for Moscow-approved allocations and focus on containing social unrest.
Even with trust in Putin slipping to 67%, the figures may still understate discontent because wartime laws criminalizing criticism can make Russians wary of answering polls honestly.
As fuel shortages spark public anger across 80 regions, is Vladimir Putin's grip on power finally slipping?
With a third of its oil refining capacity offline, can Russia's war economy survive its own fuel crisis?
Russia’s Fuel Crisis 2026: Ukrainian Strikes Trigger Sharpest Drop in Putin’s Approval Since War Began
Overview
In June and July 2026, Russia faced an escalating fuel crisis that quickly became a major source of public discontent. This crisis led to a sharp decline in President Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings and overall public sentiment, as shown by significant drops in both support for the leadership and trust in Putin. The worsening situation, marked by visible fuel shortages and long queues, directly challenged the Kremlin’s narrative of stability. The attribution graph highlights how the fuel crisis triggered a chain reaction: rising public frustration, falling approval ratings, and a broader decline in confidence in the Russian government.