(KYIV, UKRAINE) – In a rare admission of domestic and international failure, Kremlin officials have conceded that Russia is losing control of its global propaganda apparatus. Dmitry Peskov, the personal press secretary to the Russian dictator, stated that Moscow is rapidly losing the tools required for its “propaganda work abroad”. This admission follows the systematic closure of Kremlin-linked television networks and the banning of state-sponsored troll farms by major social media platforms. Peskov noted that Russian influence is particularly on the defensive in the “near abroad”, including Kazakhstan and the Baltic states, where pro-Russian narratives have become increasingly ineffective.
This collapse in information control coincides with a deteriorating economic situation. The Russian federal budget deficit has reached its full-year projected shortfall within the first 60 days of 2026. Income from oil and gas revenue has reportedly collapsed by 47 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. With the National Welfare Fund heavily depleted, the government is reportedly preparing a 10 per cent cut to non-essential spending. Financial experts suggest that Brent crude oil would need to reach $200 per barrel to cover the current deficit.
The economic crisis has been exacerbated by Ukrainian military strikes on critical infrastructure. Last week, attacks on the Novorossiysk oil export hub completely halted operations, resulting in zero tankers departing the facility for a seven-day period. This contributed to a 20 per cent drop in total Russian oil exports for the week. Additionally, Ukrainian forces utilised Storm Shadow missiles to destroy the Kremniy EL microelectronics plant in Briansk. As the second-largest facility of its kind in Russia, its destruction effectively halts the production of components for Iskander missiles, radar systems, and electronic warfare units.
Internally, the Kremlin has responded by tightening its grip on the domestic population. Telegram has been restricted in Moscow and St Petersburg, and the FSB has moved aggressively to suppress protests against these digital bans. In Volgograd, organisers were reportedly threatened with imprisonment before demonstrations could commence. Despite these measures, Russian military bloggers have begun to openly criticise the leadership, accusing the Ministry of Defence of promoting fabricated victories while failing to protect strategic enterprises from Ukrainian drones, which have been observed conducting surveillance deep inside Russian territory.
Simultaneously, political tensions are rising across Europe. In Hungary, the government faces accusations of cooperating with Russian influence networks ahead of upcoming elections. In the United Kingdom, figures such as Zack Polanski of the Reform Party have drawn scrutiny for statements aligned with Kremlin interests. On the battlefield, Ukraine continues to systematically dismantle Russian air defences, recently destroying a Buk system in Zaporizhzhia and a high-value Yastreb-AV radar system in Luhansk, estimated to be worth $250 million (approximately £195 million).
