Finance
Putin's Approval Rating Falls to Lowest Since Before Ukraine War, State Pollster Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 24, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 24, 2026
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According to state pollster VTsIOM, President Putin’s approval rating has dropped for a seventh consecutive week to 65.6%, marking its lowest level since the start of Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trust in him has also declined significantly amid economic contraction and
Putin’s Approval Rating Hits Lowest Point Since Ukraine Invasion, Poll Shows
Recent Trends in Putin's Approval Ratings
Current Approval Ratings and Historical Context
MOSCOW, April 24 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has fallen for a seventh week in a row to 65.6%, its lowest level since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to state pollster VTsIOM.
Russia's paramount leader, who was appointed acting president by Boris Yeltsin just eight years after the fall of the Soviet Union, has ruled the country since 1999 either as president or prime minister.
A former KGB lieutenant colonel who watched the Soviet Union collapse while based in East Germany, Putin will overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia's longest-serving ruler since Empress Catherine the Great if he completes his current six-year term.
Recent Decline in Approval and Trust
But his ratings, though still high by Western standards, have taken a hit in recent weeks. Putin's approval rating is down from 73.3% in March, while trust in him has slipped over the same period to 71% from above 77%, according to VTsIOM.
It was not immediately clear why Putin's rating, though still very high, was falling. Last week he ordered his top officials to come up with ways to kick-start the economy after a contraction in the first two months of the year.
Public Frustration and Government Response
A crackdown on the mobile internet, messengers and VPNs has caused frustration for many Russians in the past few months.
Putin said on Thursday that the internet outages were necessary for security reasons, but that law enforcement officials must show "ingenuity" to find solutions and guarantee the functioning of vital services.
State Censorship and Public Opinion
STATE CENSORSHIP
Amid war and state censorship, the question of what Russians truly think is the subject of considerable debate. Putin's supporters point to polls showing widespread approval of his rule but opponents question how truthful people are when speaking to pollsters in such a controlled environment.
Approval Ratings After Ukraine Invasion
His approval rating jumped after the invasion of Ukraine, rising to just below 80% from 64.3%, and has stayed well over 75% for most of the war, albeit with brief dips after mobilisation to the army was announced in 2022, according to VTsIOM.
Other Political Figures and Upcoming Elections
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's trust rating fell to 53.8%, former president Dmitry Medvedev's rose to 36.8%, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov's rating rose to 32.7% and Just Russia leader Sergei Mironov's rating rose to 29.8%.
Ahead of a parliamentary election due by late September, there have been a number of unusually public warnings by some bloggers and politicians that there must be change in Russia to avoid the risk of unrest.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Gareth Jones)
Key Takeaways
- •Putin’s approval rating slipped to 65.6% as of late April 2026, the weakest since pre‑war February 2022 (67 %). Sources cite persistent declines over seven weeks (investing.com).
- •Trust in Putin fell to around 71‑72%, down from over 77% in March, reflecting growing public unease (lemonde.fr).
- •Economic contraction (GDP down ~1.8% in Jan–Feb 2026) and intensified internet controls—such as VPN and messaging restrictions—are likely contributing to the approval slide (investing.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Putin's approval rating falls to lowest since before Ukraine war, state pollster says
1What is Vladimir Putin's current approval rating?
According to VTsIOM, Putin's approval rating has dropped to 65.6%, the lowest level since before the Ukraine war.
2How has public trust in Putin changed recently?
Public trust in Putin has slipped to 71% from above 77% in recent weeks, as reported by VTsIOM.
3Why are Putin's approval ratings decreasing?
The exact reasons are unclear, but recent economic contractions and frustration over internet restrictions may have contributed.
4How long has Putin been in power in Russia?
Putin has ruled Russia since 1999, either as president or prime minister.
5How reliable are poll results on Russian public opinion?
Due to state censorship and war, there is considerable debate about the reliability of such polls in Russia.
