Kathrine Frich
Vladimir Putin has spent nearly three years insisting that Russians stand firmly behind his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, repeating the claim in speeches, press briefings and staged public appearances.
But now a growing number of Russians appear to be losing patience with the war in Ukraine, even as the Kremlin insists the country remains unified.
Fresh internal polling has reportedly startled officials and exposed a widening gap between public sentiment and Vladimir Putin’s wartime narrative.
The findings emerge at a moment when the Russian leader is trying to present himself as strong at home and unbending abroad.
Yet the mood inside the country suggests the pressure of casualties and economic strain is beginning to reshape opinion.
Growing fatigue
A confidential survey carried out for regional administrations ahead of the 2026 elections indicates a decisive shift.
Officials were reportedly taken aback by figures showing widespread exhaustion with the conflict and a stark rise in the number of citizens calling for it to end.
The poll suggests 83 percent of respondents feel worn down by the war. More than half, 56 percent, want it stopped immediately.
That level of opposition marks a major departure from earlier years of the invasion.
Support for continuing the fighting has fallen sharply, with only around 23 percent backing its extension.
The numbers point to a country struggling under the weight of mounting losses and a war economy that has reshaped daily life.
Mounting pressure
Rising inflation, shrinking wages and new taxes have fuelled discontent.
Moscow plans to raise VAT from 20 to 22 percent next year, adding to a series of measures introduced to offset budget shortfalls tied to the war.
Analysts say these strains are eroding the government’s ability to contain criticism.
Despite the threat of prosecution, more Russians are voicing frustration in public spaces and online.
One pensioner vented on television, calling Putin “a maniac who came to power on blood” and accusing him of taking pleasure in suffering.
Her remarks reflect a sentiment that is slowly surfacing despite tight state controls.
Sources: Express.co.uk
