What is happening in Russia? Support for Vladimir Putin has fallen to its lowest level since the start of the invasion of Ukraine
The approval rating of Russian President Vladimir Putin has fallen for the seventh consecutive week to 65.6 percent, its lowest level since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to data from the state public opinion research agency VCIOM.
TL;DR
- Vladimir Putin's approval rating has fallen to 65.6%, the lowest since February 2022.
- Putin has been in power in Russia since 1999, either as president or prime minister.
- Trust in Putin has declined to 71% from over 77% in March.
- Reasons for the decline are unclear, but economic slowdown and internet restrictions are noted.
- Putin has ordered officials to find ways to boost the economy.
- Increased restrictions on mobile internet, messaging apps, and VPNs have caused dissatisfaction.
- Public opinion in Russia is debated due to the war and state censorship.
- Putin's approval rating initially rose after the Ukraine invasion but has fluctuated since.
- Trust ratings for other officials like Mikhail Mishustin, Dmitry Medvedev, Gennady Zyuganov, and Sergey Mironov are also provided.
- Some politicians and bloggers have warned about the risk of unrest and the need for change ahead of upcoming elections.