Bloomberg: Russians Are Tired Of War And Are Starting To Blame The Kremlin
- 8.05.2026, 12:37
There has been a shift in sentiment.
In the fifth year of the war, as Ukrainian UAVs strike ever deeper into Russian territory and the Kremlin tightens restrictions, Russians are beginning to ask more questions of the authorities.
Russians are beginning to ask more questions of the authorities.
This is according to Bloomberg.
"There is a growing sentiment in Russia that the current system of governance is becoming too harmful and increasingly self-destructive. Tolerance for the status quo is eroding," the journalists quote Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the consulting firm R.Politik.
The publication notes in particular Russian blogger Viktoria Boni's criticism of Putin. The publication calls her post a "cultural phenomenon" that garnered more than 86,000 comments. In them, people expressed frustration over worsening conditions, the closure of businesses, the emigration of professionals and tighter restrictions on daily life.
"Attitudes toward Putin are changing. It feels as if the very composition of the air has changed," said Alexander Baunov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Berlin Center.
The journalists write that Ukraine's almost daily attacks, higher inflation and continued high interest rates are contributing to the worsening public mood. It is also affected by the death toll, which continues to rise with no sign of a breakthrough in a war that was supposed to last only a few days.
Although Putin's personal rating remains high, however, even according to official polls it has fallen from 74% to 66%. It is noted that this figure is the lowest since the start of the Russian Federation's war in February 2022.
On the whole, only 55% of Russians believe that the country is moving in the right direction, which is also the lowest since the beginning of the war. By comparison, the figure stood at 67% at the end of last year.
"Fatigue from the constant strain of a war that has no clear end, combined with tax pressure and a worsening economic situation is contributing to a rise in pessimism," said Denis Volkov, director of the Levada sociological company.
The journalists note that so far there are no signs that Putin's position is under threat or that the Kremlin is reconsidering its determination to continue the war in Ukraine. It is noted that Putin is likely to make bold statements during the May 9 parade. However, this year, for the first time since 2007, Russian Federation will not use heavy weapons at the parade for fear of Ukrainian attacks. Moscow has also begun restricting the internet for the same purpose.
Discontent over the internet shutdown is also emerging among officials. They are also questioning the appropriateness of the ongoing repression by the security services. All of this adds to the negativity against the backdrop of parliamentary elections in September, when the Kremlin sought to demonstrate public support for Putin and the war.