Putin's Approval Rating Has Fallen To Its Lowest Level Since 2021
- 21.07.2026, 10:25
The fuel crisis is fueling fear and uncertainty among the Russian public.
The approval rating for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has dropped significantly amid the protracted war against Ukraine, increased digital censorship, and the fuel crisis in Russia.
This is stated in an analytical piece by Newsweek.
According to the latest data from the Russian state-controlled All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion, as of July 12, 65.1% of respondents approved of Putin’s performance. At the same time, 23.4% of respondents openly stated that they do not support his work as president.
As the publication notes, similar trends have been recorded by Russia’s Levada Center and the Public Opinion Foundation.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin’s approval rating largely remained within the range of approximately 78% to 85%. As recently as September 2025, 77.8% of Russians approved of his performance. The last time approval ratings fell to their current level was in 2021—amid the COVID-19 pandemic, economic stagnation, and protests in support of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Newsweek reports that after nearly four and a half years of the “Great War,” the informal “social contract” between the Kremlin and the Russian people is beginning to crumble.
One factor contributing to the discontent has been the further tightening of control over the Russian internet. The Kremlin expanded Roskomnadzor’s powers and restricted the operation of foreign platforms and messaging apps in an effort to shift users to the state-backed MAX app.
However, according to the publication, Apple removed MAX from the App Store in June, and the app subsequently disappeared from Google Play as well. As a result, millions of Russians were unable to download or update the app, which disrupted users’ daily lives and work.
Maria Kolomychenko, an expert at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center , told Newsweek that Russian authorities were forced to partially ease internet restrictions due to growing discontent. This comes ahead of the State Duma elections, ahead of which the Kremlin is seeking to demonstrate supposedly high support for Putin and the United Russia party.
Another source of tension has been fuel shortages resulting from Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Attacks on oil refineries and fuel terminals have led to shortages, long lines at gas stations, and growing anxiety among the population.
According to Kolomichenko, the fuel crisis caused by the Ukrainian strikes is exacerbating fear and uncertainty in Russian society.