Putin Approval Falls 5 Points to 66% as Fuel Shortages Overtake War Concerns
Updated
Updated · EADaily · Jul 17
Putin Approval Falls 5 Points to 66% as Fuel Shortages Overtake War Concerns
3 articles · Updated · EADaily · Jul 17
Summary
66% of Russians now approve of Vladimir Putin’s work, down 5 points in a week, while trust slipped 2 points to 67%, according to the latest FOM poll.
19% of respondents cited gasoline shortages and rising prices as the top issue, ahead of the Ukraine war at 18% and shelling of Russian territories at 14%.
41% rated the government’s work as rather good, down 4 points, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s rating fell 3 points to 49%; overall dissatisfaction with the authorities rose to 39% from 36%.
1 point lower anxiety suggests public mood stayed broadly calm despite the slide in ratings, while party support was little changed.
As fuel shortages spark public anger across 80 regions, is Vladimir Putin's grip on power finally slipping?
With a third of its oil refining capacity offline, can Russia's war economy survive its own fuel crisis?
Russia’s Fuel Crisis 2026: Ukrainian Strikes Trigger Sharpest Drop in Putin’s Approval Since War Began
Overview
In June and July 2026, Russia faced an escalating fuel crisis that quickly became a major source of public discontent. This crisis led to a sharp decline in President Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings and overall public sentiment, as shown by significant drops in both support for the leadership and trust in Putin. The worsening situation, marked by visible fuel shortages and long queues, directly challenged the Kremlin’s narrative of stability. The attribution graph highlights how the fuel crisis triggered a chain reaction: rising public frustration, falling approval ratings, and a broader decline in confidence in the Russian government.