Ukraine-Russia — 2026-04-05

Putin's Trust Rating Drops 5 Points in One Week to 71% Following Internet Crackdowns

Public Opinion Foundation polling showed Russian trust in Putin dropped from 76% to 71% in a single week, the sharpest decline since at least 2019, driven by government blocks on Telegram and VPN services. Disapproval of Putin's actions rose from 14.8% in January to 18.3% in March, while those saying they rather do not trust the leader increased from 13% to 17%. Ratings for Prime Minister Mishustin and the broader government also fell approximately 2 points. The decline coincides with internet restriction enforcement rather than the war in Ukraine or economic pressures.

Analysis
FOM polling in Russia operates under state pressure and tends to overstate presidential approval. A 5-point drop in this environment signals genuine public anger, likely larger in reality. The trigger being internet restrictions rather than the war or economy suggests digital access has become a domestic red line.

2 sources

Record 7-Year Low for Putin's Approval Rating After Telegram and VPN Blocks - United24 Media
Putin trust rating among Russians sharply fell to 71% - ISW - UNN