(MOSCOW) – Data released by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre indicates that trust in the Russian dictator has reached its lowest point since the commencement of the full scale invasion of Ukraine. In a strategically worded poll designed to navigate strict domestic censorship, respondents were asked to identify politicians they trust to manage critical state decisions. Only 32 per cent of participants named the current Kremlin leader, a significant decline that suggests a shifting domestic landscape as the conflict enters its 5th year.
The erosion of support is attributed to several systemic failures affecting the daily lives of Russian citizens. Primary concerns include a sharp rise in utility tariffs and the depletion of regional budgets, which has left numerous provinces without adequate heating or gas supplies. Furthermore, the Kremlin recently conducted large scale internet suppression tests in Moscow, resulting in sustained outages. Mobile data and voice call services have remained unavailable in several Moscow districts for four consecutive days, causing substantial disruption to local businesses already burdened by increased taxation.
The Russian public also expressed profound apprehension regarding potential general conscription in 2026. This fear is compounded by a developing banking crisis where citizens report increasing difficulty withdrawing personal funds. New protocols allegedly allow bank employees to deny cash withdrawals at their discretion, leading to speculation that the Russian dictator is diverting private deposits to fund the ongoing war effort.
In addition to economic instability, the conflict has increasingly transited onto Russian territory. Reports of explosions, fires, and GPS jamming have become frequent in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Military infrastructure deep within the Russian interior is reportedly being targeted by long range Ukrainian “Flamingo” missiles, reaching distances of thousands of kilometres. While the Kremlin continues to rely on a strategy of domestic terror, the survey suggests that alternative political figures, including communist leader Gennady Zyuganov and former official Dmitry Medvedev, are gaining traction among a dissatisfied populace.
The level of trust to putin fell to its lowest since the start of the full scale war. russians are very dissatisfied with sharp increase in utility tariffs, mass internet shutdowns, problems with cash withdrawals, and fear conscription and war on the russian territory.
