Record since mobilization: 70% of Russians say situation in Russia is 'explosive' The ongoing hostilities are the main source of discontent among Russians The share of Russians who consider the political situation in the country tense or explosive has reached 70%. This is the highest level since September 2022, when Russia announced mobilization, according to the results of a survey by the Levada Center. A majority of respondents — 57% — described the current situation in Russia as tense. Another 13% said they considered the situation critical and explosive. Only 26% of respondents gave positive assessments, with 19% describing the situation as calm and 7% as favorable. Sociologists noted that a comparable level of anxiety was recorded in September 2022 following the announcement of mobilization, when negative assessments reached 71%. Pessimism has been rising since mid-2025. In particular, since May 2025, the share of respondents who see the situation as tense has increased by 10 percentage points, while the share describing it as "critical/explosive" has risen by 8 percentage points since September 2025. Main reasons for fears and discontent Respondents with a negative view of the situation cited a number of specific problems: ・45% — the ongoing fighting; ・21% — drone attacks and attacks on Russian territory; ・18% — fear for their own lives, their children and the future; ・10% — instability and uncertainty about the future; ・9% — the economic crisis and rising prices; ・7% — gasoline shortages; ・6% — distrust in government institutions, as well as problems with electricity, the internet and communications. Recently, the Institute for the Study of War reported that Russians are showing growing interest in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ukrainian attacks, which Russia’s air defenses have failed to protect the country from, have contributed to this shift. It was also recently reported that approval of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s performance among Russians has fallen to its lowest level since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine. Record since mobilization: 70% of Russians say situation in Russia is 'explosive'
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