Putin’s Approval Slips in 2026 as Ukraine Drone Strikes and Internet Curbs Fuel Discontent
Updated
Updated · The New Yorker · Jun 19
Putin’s Approval Slips in 2026 as Ukraine Drone Strikes and Internet Curbs Fuel Discontent
3 articles · Updated · The New Yorker · Jun 19
Summary
2026 has brought a gradual drop in Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings, with anxiety now exceeding calm in Russia as war fatigue deepens and daily life is disrupted.
Telegram blocking attempts, mobile internet outages and wider connectivity restrictions have hit business, communications and information access, pushing many Russians to what analysts describe as the limit of adaptation.
Ukraine’s drone campaign has added pressure — including what may have been its largest strike on Moscow on Thursday — reinforcing doubts inside Russia about how long a war of attrition can continue.
Even so, analysts say Putin still faces no organized political challenger: the elite remains atomized, the Kremlin controls media and dissent, and he could likely sell almost any settlement short of outright defeat.
The broader risk is not imminent regime change but a more incoherent Russian system around an aging Putin, with any ceasefire unlikely to end the deeper Russia-West confrontation for years.
How are Ukrainian drones forcing a complete rethink of Russia's military and nuclear strategy?
With his inner circle losing faith, who in Russia could truly challenge Vladimir Putin's authority?
As allies like Armenia pivot west, is Putin's dream of a new Russian empire already collapsing?
Discontent and Control in Russia 2026: Military Setbacks, Economic Crisis, and the Rise of Digital Repression
Overview
In 2026, Russian elite and public discontent is rising due to a combination of military setbacks, severe economic strain, and a growing sense of powerlessness among both society and the elites. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll on Russia, with Ukrainian attacks reaching critical infrastructure inside Russian territory. This has forced Russia to redeploy air-defense systems from remote areas, highlighting the strain on military resources. At the same time, the Kremlin is tightening its grip on information and daily life, further fueling frustration and making the environment increasingly volatile.