Story perspectives

Kremlin Tightens Mobile Internet, Approval Drops to 65.6%

5/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Kremlin expanded mobile-internet restrictions, citing Ukrainian drone attacks, which sparked unprecedented public anger across social classes.
President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating fell to 65.6%, the lowest since the war began, a 12-point drop reported by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre.
Business leaders at a Moscow forum and analysts warned that the crackdown pits the civilian digital-economy bloc against security officials, echoing Iran’s concerns.

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Story summary

The Kremlin expanded mobile-internet restrictions, citing Ukrainian drone attacks, which sparked unprecedented public anger across social classes.
President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating fell to 65.6%, the lowest since the war began, a 12-point drop reported by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre.
Business leaders at a Moscow forum and analysts warned that the crackdown pits the civilian digital-economy bloc against security officials, echoing Iran’s concerns.