Putin’s Approval Rating Hits Lowest Since Pre-Ukraine War

Regional and exile outlets frame the seven‑week slide as evidence that wartime unity around Putin is weakening. They link the drop in approval and the rise in distrust to long conflict, casualties, and economic pressure inside Russia. Many expect that if the war drags on or new mobilization waves occur, Putin’s ratings could fall further despite state‑controlled polling.

• •Independent Russian and Ukrainian outlets note that Putin’s approval is now at its lowest level since before the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine.
• •These outlets highlight that nearly one in four Russians now openly express distrust in Putin.
• •Commentators outside Russia connect the downward trend to war fatigue and mounting losses in Ukraine.
• •Regional coverage points out that the decline has lasted seven straight weeks rather than being a one‑off dip.
• •Critics argue that if even a state pollster shows falling support, real discontent may be higher than reported.