Putin’s Job Approval Rating Sees Sharpest Weekly Drop Since Ukraine Invasion – VTsIOM

July 3, 2026 Vladimir Putin. kremlin.ru President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has plunged at its fastest single-week pace since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to new data released by the state-run pollster VTsIOM. The survey, conducted between June 22 and June 28 among 1,600 Russians, shows Putin’s job approval rating dropping to 66.9%, down from 70.4% the prior week. The percentage of respondents indicating they disapprove of how he is handling the presidency stood at 21.3%, up from 19.7%. Putin’s trust rating also saw a notable decline, falling from 76.7% to 73.3%. Putin’s lowest job approval rating since the start of the war was recorded in April, according to VTsIOM, when it fell to 65.6% amid growing frustration over constant internet blackouts and restrictions on Telegram. The latest figures, which coincide with a fuel shortage across Russia, follow a decision by the state-run pollster last month to stop publishing the results of an open-ended trust survey after that specific indicator fell to its lowest point since 2022. Some experts say that these declines are significant given that Russians are typically reluctant to speak candidly with pollsters for fear of retribution from the authorities if they express views critical of the government. Meanwhile, the independent pollster Levada Center released its own data this week showing Putin’s job approval rating sliding to 74% in June, down from 79% in May. Read more about: Poll , Putin Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more More People Worldwide Trust Putin Than Trump – Pew Both Trump and Putin ranked far below European leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Positive Opinions Toward Putin Drop by 10% – Poll “In general, all authoritarian regimes are held up on such an alienated attitude,” the head of the Levada Center said. Russians’ Trust In Putin Drops to Below 50% After Election — Poll Putin won almost 77 percent of the vote on March 18, cementing his lead until 2024. Putin Enjoys Popularity Spike in U.S. Russian President Vladimir Putin is enjoying his highest approval ratings in the United States since 2013.