A recent poll indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin is experiencing a drop in public support, reaching his lowest approval ratings since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.
Declining Approval Ratings
Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has reached its lowest point since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Polling data shows a seven-week decline in support for the Russian president.
Between March 2nd and 8th, 72.9% of Russians expressed a positive assessment of Putin’s performance.
Latest Poll Results
The most recent survey reveals that 24.1% of respondents expressed a lack of trust in Putin, while 71% stated they trust him.
Economic Concerns and Censorship
According to an unnamed Russian sociologist, the declining approval ratings are linked to the worsening economic situation in Russia. The expert also noted public dissatisfaction with increasing internet service restrictions.
Delayed Poll Release
The latest poll results were released on Friday, April 24th at noon Moscow time (11 a.m. in Poland), two hours later than usual. The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center attributed the delay to “technical problems.”
Impact of Online Censorship
Bloomberg reported in mid-April on the negative impact of online restrictions on Putin’s approval ratings, noting that the Kremlin began revising its strategy in this area.
Escalating Online Censorship in Russia
Online censorship in Russia has rapidly increased since the start of the war with Ukraine in 2022, encompassing the blocking of social media and information platforms. The Kremlin is also considering restricting access to VPN services.
Russian Expectations for 2026
A December 24th poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, involving 1600 respondents, found that 70% believed 2026 would be a more successful year for Russia than the previous one.
Hopes for an End to the War
The study’s authors highlighted that optimism among a significant portion of Russians was primarily driven by expectations regarding the war in Ukraine, with 55% hoping for an improvement in Russia’s situation due to a potential end to the conflict in 2026.
State-Affiliated Polling Center
The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center is a state-run research institution. It has previously published studies emphasizing alleged societal consolidation around Vladimir Putin and support for the “special military operation” (the term used by Russian propaganda for the war in Ukraine), but did not provide specific data on public attitudes towards the war.
