Vladimir Putin's approval rating fell by 5 percentage points in a single week as Russia faces a deepening fuel crisis.

Vladimir Putin saw his approval rating drop to 66 percent in a single week, marking the sharpest weekly decline since the start of the war in Ukraine. Data from the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) indicates that public trust in the Russian leader also slipped to 67 percent, reaching the least favorable levels recorded since 2022. The decline is primarily attributed to a worsening fuel crisis, with 19 percent of respondents identifying gasoline shortages and rising prices as the nation's most pressing issue. This economic strain has surpassed the war itself, which was cited by 18 percent of the population. While the administration remains confident in its military trajectory, the fuel crunch has forced regional leaders to manage social unrest through rationing and Moscow-approved allocations. Additional data from the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) confirms a steady downward trend, with approval ratings falling for three consecutive weeks. Analysts suggest that these domestic economic pressures are widening the gap between the ruling elite and the general public.

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