Victoria Bonya

Cracks are appearing in the carefully managed image of Vladimir Putin, as criticism from insiders, influencers and even pro-Kremlin voices grows louder. Once shielded by the enduring myth of the “good tsar”, the Russian leader now faces a slow erosion of authority that propaganda alone is struggling to contain.

Behind the noise of public spats lies a deeper problem: confidence is slipping within the system itself.

Influencers Revolt — But Stop Short of Blame

A viral intervention by influencer Victoria Bonya has exposed the tension. Her widely viewed appeal listed economic and social failures — but carefully avoided blaming Putin directly.

Instead, she leaned on a familiar narrative: that the president is being misled by officials. The message reflects both caution and a long-standing political tradition — criticism without crossing the ultimate line.

Propaganda Machine Turns on Its Own

The response was swift and vicious. State TV host Vladimir Solovyov launched a personal attack, accusing Bonya of polluting public discourse.

But the backlash only amplified the dispute. What might once have been quietly suppressed is now playing out in public, highlighting fractures within Russia’s media and messaging apparatus.

Insiders Sound Alarm — Carefully

Beyond social media, unease is spreading among elites. Business leaders warn of “fundamental crisis”, while military voices hint at concealed losses and flawed reporting.

Figures such as Valery Gerasimov continue to project success, but repeated claims of victory are increasingly met with scepticism — even inside pro-government circles.

Economic Strain and War Reality Bite

Russia’s economy is slowing sharply, with growth hovering around 1 per cent. Sanctions and war costs are biting, yet responsibility remains deflected down the chain of command.

Putin continues to publicly chastise officials, maintaining distance from policy failures. But after decades in power, that separation is becoming harder to sustain.

Approval Slips — And Myth Weakens

Polling suggests a gradual decline. While still high by Western standards, support for Putin has fallen to its lowest level in years, alongside weakening backing for the ruling party.

There is no immediate threat to his rule. But the trend is clear: maintaining control is becoming more demanding, and the personal authority that underpins the system is no longer unassailable.

Putin has a PR problem. His myth is crumbling

I have had the chance to tour Russia twice during the late 90s. I met some very nice Russians on my travels that would invite me into their homes for dinner and then get out their guitars and sing Russian songs for me. I would often encounter Russians on the street that would offer me vodka. And in many of the hotels I stayed in, I would get a knock on my door by a beautiful young Russian lady offering her services.

But unfortunately, things have changed in Russia since Putin took over. This is really sad for the Russian people. They just do not seem to get a break from their tyrant leaders.

Me, too. And those young ladies were beautiful!

Putin's cronies' mistake was not to STFU. Bonya would have gone away and be ignored. Now there's a chink in the Putin strongman myth.