Putin's slipping ratings hint at an elite split over online control
Putin’s approval ratings have cooled to about 73%, the lowest since early 2022, amid a Kremlin crackdown on the internet that has irritated ordinary Russians and prompted questions about the regime’s internal balance between civilian and security factions. State polls may censor or skew results, and experts warn against taking the figures at face value, though independent polls also show declines. The online crackdown appears aimed at tighter control before September’s Duma elections and could affect turnout, but analysts say the regime remains resilient despite chatter of elite or broader dissent.