A Russian project, Faridaily, reports that Vladimir Putin’s public appearances decreased significantly in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Fewer Public Appearances for Putin
The Faridaily project indicated that Vladimir Putin’s public appearances noticeably decreased in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The number of his meetings and appearances shown in the media fell from 114 to 92.
Analysis reveals that some of this footage consisted of pre-recorded meetings with high-ranking officials, broadcast later without disclosing the actual date. Faridaily reported 43 such recordings in the first quarter of 2025, and 38 this year, with their share of total content increasing from approximately 38% to nearly 41%.
Decline in Regional Trips
The portal also noted a decrease in the number of regional trips. In the first quarter of 2026, Putin made only one official trip outside of Moscow – to attend annual events in St. Petersburg.
In comparison, there were three such trips in the same period of 2025, and as many as 13 in 2024. Faridaily also recalled that before the presidential elections of April 15-17, 2025, the Russian leader appeared publicly almost twice as often, and also made more meetings and trips before the outbreak of the war and the coronavirus pandemic.
Kremlin Distancing Putin from Sensitive Issues
According to the portal, the decline in Putin’s public activity may be part of a broader Kremlin strategy to distance the President of Russia from issues causing public dissatisfaction. These include internet shutdowns and the mass slaughter of livestock in Siberia.
A Familiar Kremlin Tactic
Faridaily assessed that this is an old Kremlin tactic used to protect Putin’s image from negative associations. The portal recalled the 2018 pension reform, where the political costs of public discontent fell primarily on the government of Dmitry Medvedev.
A source close to the Kremlin, quoted by the editorial staff, stated that Russian authorities have long been guided more by Putin’s personal convenience than by public expectations. The source also assessed that, in an authoritarian system, the Kremlin does not need to explain such a method of operation to anyone.
