Kremlin Frightened By Putin's Falling Ratings
- 14.04.2026, 16:36
A number of senior officials are warning authorities of the consequences.
Internet restrictions and pressure on Telegram - the most popular messenger in Russia with an audience of about 100 million users - have provoked divisions within Russia's elites.
As Bloomberg reports, citing sources, a number of senior officials are warning the Kremlin of the serious economic and political consequences of Internet blockades initiated by the FSB.
They say criticism from within the government could lead to a softening of policy: restrictions could be for The authorities expect this to help reduce public tension, which has intensified amid rising taxes, prices and internet outages.
The network shutdowns that began last year in a number of regions and the subsequent blocking of Telegram in 2026 have already affected the level of support for the authorities. According to VTsIOM, the level of approval of Vladimir Putin's performance has dropped to 67.8%, the lowest level since February 2022. At the same time, the "trust rating," measured by open-ended questions, has fallen below 30%, down from over 70% a decade ago.
As Bloomberg notes, tightening control over the Internet has become an additional challenge for the Kremlin on the eve of the Duma elections. Dissatisfaction is especially noticeable among active and affluent residents of large cities. Head of the Levada Center Denis Volkov notes that such measures have less effect on the loyal TV-oriented electorate.
At the same time, even among pro-government communities, the restrictions have caused a negative reaction. The initiative to introduce the state messenger Max became an object of criticism and ridicule. Some Duma deputies have allowed themselves harsh statements: the leader of Just Russia called supporters of blocking "idiots", and deputy Mikhail Matveev spoke about the risk of forming a "digital concentration camp".
Matveev also pointed to double standards in the government: officials who oppose Western services continue to use them themselves, including paid subscriptions to Telegram.
According to a Levada Center poll, about 80% of Russians are not ready to switch to Max, perceiving it as a tool of control by intelligence services. More than half of respondents also oppose blocking Telegram and WhatsApp.
The Kremlin, however, says most citizens are "understanding" about the restrictions. Presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov noted that the current measures are temporary and will be canceled once the need for them disappears.