Today at 16:03
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has fallen for a fourth consecutive week, reaching its lowest level since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as the country struggles with a worsening fuel crisisl, UATV English reports.
According to data released by Russia’s state-run polling agency VTsIOM, Putin’s approval rating stood at 65.1% as of July 12. The figure declined by 0.9 percentage points in a week and by 5.3 points over the past four weeks.
The decline is steeper than during two previous major shocks for Russian society. Putin’s rating fell by 3.3 points over four weeks following the Kremlin’s mobilization announcement in autumn 2022 and by 5.1 points after Ukrainian forces entered Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024.
The share of respondents who disapprove of Putin’s performance has risen to 23.4%, according to the polling data.
Political analysts cited by the outlet linked the trend to growing public frustration over gasoline shortages and broader concerns about Russia’s economic situation. Rumors about another potential mobilization, a transition toward a command-style economy and further restrictions have also contributed to uncertainty within Russian society.
The decline comes as Ukrainian strikes have increasingly disrupted Russia’s oil refining industry. Russian energy companies have reportedly sought additional gasoline supplies from India, while significant volumes of Russian refining capacity have been knocked offline.
Analysts also point to a widening gap between the Kremlin’s expectations about the war and public sentiment, warning that growing domestic pressure could lead Moscow toward further escalation.
