What's Happening in Russia? A Snapshot

What's Happening in Russia? A Snapshot

• Putin's approval ratings have fallen to their lowest level since the invasion of Ukraine began.

• Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure are raising fears of fuel shortages.

• Long queues are appearing at some petrol stations as Russians rush to fill up.

• Crimea remains under sustained Ukrainian attack, disrupting daily life.

• Tourism to the peninsula has collapsed amid constant air raid alerts.

• Putin has promised "free and democratic" elections ahead of September's State Duma vote.

Putin Under Pressure As Fuel Fears Grow And Support Slips

Vladimir Putin has attempted to project confidence after disappearing from public view for two days, but the Russian leader is facing mounting pressure as Ukraine's strikes increasingly hit home. Speaking at the ruling United Russia Party conference after private talks with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Putin admitted Russia was passing through a "difficult period" before insisting September's parliamentary elections would be "open and free" despite widespread criticism of the Kremlin's democratic record.

The carefully staged appearance comes as Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, fuel depots and pipelines raise fears of petrol shortages across Russia, with reports of queues forming at filling stations. At the same time, fresh polling suggests public confidence in Putin is slipping.

Trust in the president has fallen to its lowest level

According to Russia's own pro-government polling agency, trust in the president has fallen to its lowest level since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, while dissatisfaction with both the Kremlin and the Russian government continues to climb. Analysts say repeated Ukrainian drone strikes, disruption to daily life and growing concern over Russia's economy are beginning to undermine the image of stability that Putin has spent years cultivating. With military losses continuing to mount and economic pressure intensifying, the Kremlin appears increasingly determined to reassure voters ahead of September's elections—even as the challenges facing Russia become harder to conceal.

Putin Under Pressure As Fuel Fears Grow And Support Slips

Vladimir Putin has attempted to project confidence after disappearing from public view for two days, but the Russian leader is facing mounting pressure as Ukraine's strikes increasingly hit home. Speaking at the ruling United Russia Party conference after private talks with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Putin admitted Russia was passing through a "difficult period" as Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries, fuel depots and pipelines fuel fears of shortages, with reports of queues forming at petrol stations across parts of Russia.

'Free Elections' Claim Amid Growing Discontent

Despite the mounting crisis, Putin insisted September's State Duma elections would be "open and free" and urged ruling party candidates to spend more time listening to ordinary Russians. His comments came as fresh polling from Russia's own state-backed survey agency suggested public confidence in the Kremlin has fallen to its lowest level since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Trust in Putin and his government has slipped as repeated Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt daily life, while international democracy watchdogs continue to rank Russia among the world's least free political systems. With military losses mounting, economic pressure increasing and public frustration beginning to show, the Kremlin appears eager to project stability—even as the challenges facing Putin become harder to hide.

Crimea tourism is down

• Hotel bookings have reportedly fallen sharply, with some reports saying early summer bookings are down by around 50%.

• Russian tourists are cancelling holidays because they're worried about getting stranded by fuel shortages and repeated drone attacks.

• Some hotels even tried offering free petrol to attract visitors before running out of fuel themselves.

Air raid alerts Now a Part of daily life

• Air raid alerts have become routine across Sevastopol and other parts of Crimea.

• Residents are dealing with power cuts, fuel shortages and repeated disruption to transport.

• Russian-installed authorities have even declared a state of emergency because of the impact on energy supplies and the local economy.

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