Story perspectives

Putin Approval Falls to 65.6% Amid War, Crackdown.

6/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Russia’s war in Ukraine has sparked dissent and cut President Vladimir Putin’s approval to 65.6 percent after seven weeks of decline.
The government blocked 3G, limited internet, restricted Telegram, and saw growth fall to 1 % in 2025 with Q1 2026 contracting by 0.3 %.
Analysts estimate Russian military deaths at about 352,000 by end-2025, casualties above one million, and note the Federal Security Service (FSB) has expanded power, detaining elites and intimidating dissent.

History

Historical Context

Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia—where Moscow ordered 1.3 trillion rubles of military spending for 2009 and saw gold reserves fall from $597 billion to $437 billion by December—triggered a broad security buildup. The Kremlin’s later moves to tighten digital controls and detain elites follow that same post-war pattern of expanding state agency power.

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Story summary

Russia’s war in Ukraine has sparked dissent and cut President Vladimir Putin’s approval to 65.6 percent after seven weeks of decline.
The government blocked 3G, limited internet, restricted Telegram, and saw growth fall to 1 % in 2025 with Q1 2026 contracting by 0.3 %.
Analysts estimate Russian military deaths at about 352,000 by end-2025, casualties above one million, and note the Federal Security Service (FSB) has expanded power, detaining elites and intimidating dissent.

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