Russian opinion on President Putin may be changing after Ukrainian attack on its territory

While Russian news outlets have tried to highlight the government’s humanitarian response to the war, many Russians online are blaming the Ukrainian advance on the government and Putin himself.

In Russia, where the government controls much of what people see and hear, it’s hard to know what people really think.

Polls might not show the truth because people often say what they think the government wants to hear. To get around this, FilterLabs analyzes online comments to get a better idea of what ordinary Russians are feeling.

The recent rise in negative opinions about Putin follows a similar dip last year after a brief rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of a Russian paramilitary group.

But the current shift in public mood seems stronger since Ukrainian forces moved into the Kursk region of Russia two weeks ago.

“Putin’s response to the attack was seen as weak and even insulting,” said Jonathan Teubner, CEO of FilterLabs.

Support for Putin remains stronger in Moscow, where the government tightly controls the media. However, even in the capital, opinions of Putin are starting to decline, though not as quickly as in other parts of the country.

In regions where the Kremlin relies heavily on military recruitment, frustration with the government is increasing. This could make it harder for the Kremlin to maintain its military forces.

US officials warn that it’s too early to know if this drop in Putin’s popularity will last. In the past, Putin has been able to quickly rebuild his image. But if support continues to fall, it could make the Kremlin’s war efforts in Ukraine more difficult.

In response to the Ukrainian attack in the Kursk region, the Kremlin launched a propaganda campaign in border areas, warning that Ukraine is targeting Russians with “psychological operations.”

(With inputs from from New York Times)

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