Influential politicians, influencers and even nationalists are criticizing the economic situation and internet outages in Russia. Putin's approval rating is falling. Will this storm shake the regime in Moscow?
"By the fall, we are facing a revolution - a repetition of what happened in 1917. We have no right to a repetition". These were the words of the long-time chairman of the Communist Party of Russia, Gennady Zyuganov, a few days ago in the Russian parliament. These harsh words, the likes of which have not been heard in the Russian Duma for a long time, are caused by the dire state of the country's economy, writes the German publication "Frankfurter Rundschau".
And it's not just Zyuganov - in recent weeks, some of the most influential Russian influencers have launched a noisy campaign on social media, expressing dissatisfaction with everything - from inflation and economic stagnation to corruption and mobile Internet outages that have paralyzed cities.
Bloggers and influencers against Putin
"The people are afraid of you. Artists and governors are afraid too. A big wall is rising between you and the people," said influencer Victoria Bonya in a video address to President Putin. She became famous in Russia after participating in the Russian version of the entertainment show "Big Brother" years ago, and currently has about 13 million followers on social networks. "People will stop being afraid" and discontent will explode, Bonya also says in her post.
Her video has been viewed 25 million times, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was forced to issue a statement assuring Russians that many of Bonya's criticisms will be "actively worked". The blogger, who is married to an Irish billionaire, lives in Monaco, but other influencers who live in Russia have also intervened, despite laws against "discrediting the Russian army", which are punishable by up to 15 years in prison, writes "Frankfurter Rundschau".
The German publication quotes, for example, Moscow-based journalist and lawyer Katya Gordon, who warns that social discontent is growing and mocks Kremlin-loyal TV propagandists. Actor Ivan Okhlobystin, until recently loyal to the regime, calls the blocking of mobile internet a "huge mistake" and accuses the government of wanting to send people "back to the USSR". Former MP Nikolai Bondarenko published an angry tirade against the leadership that has brought to the brink of bankruptcy "this incredibly rich country, full of oil and gas and all possible resources".
Could this be the beginning of the end of Putin's regime?
Even fanatical online nationalists, such as military bloggers, have begun to criticize the ruling party. However, this does not mean that the end of Vladimir Putin's regime is in sight, the German publication adds. The chairman of the Communist Party, Zyuganov, criticized the actions of the authorities, but also said: "we are doing everything possible to support Putin and his strategy and policy, but the government does not hear us". The criticism and anger of online influencers and bloggers, on the other hand, sounds like an appeal to the "tsar", who seems to be simply surrounded by bad advisers. And yet - everyone was careful not to make direct criticisms of the bloody Russian war against Ukraine.
What is remarkable is the fact that criticizing the authorities in Russia seems to be normalizing. After many years of repression against dissenters, now in Russian society - from influencers to deputies, it is not only possible to criticize inflation, corruption or the shutdown of the Internet, but it also seems fashionable.
The economic situation is gloomy, but it is not like in 1917
Inflation is high, interest rates are 14 percent, many Russian enterprises are closing due to debts, writes "Frankfurter Rundschau”. Even the increase in oil prices on world markets could not save Russia from the looming recession, the German publication notes. But this is in no way comparable to 1917, when the lack of bread drove workers to the barricades.
The Russian economy is in even better shape today than it was after the debt crisis and insolvency of 1998 or the global financial crash of 2008. Moreover, paradoxically, many of Russia's poorest regions have experienced a boom - thanks to high pay for soldiers who volunteered to fight, as well as compensation for fallen victims, reaching almost 300,000 euros.
Putin's rating is falling
According to the latest sociological surveys conducted in Russia, Putin's approval rating has fallen to 65.6%. For comparison, at the beginning of the war against Ukraine, it was over 86 percent.
Political scientist Abbas Galyamov warns that the negative dynamics could increase the Kremlin's dependence on the security forces and increase the risk of internal destabilization. He told DW that Putin may not know how much support for him has decreased, but even if he did, he would continue to act in the same way, because that is his political style. Political scientist Dmitry Oreshkin connects the decline in Putin's rating with a change in attitude towards the war - Russians are tired and irritated, and socio-economic problems are coming to the fore. The deterioration of the economy was recently acknowledged by Putin himself. "But this does not mean that the regime will fall tomorrow or the day after tomorrow - by no means. It can continue for years to come, it can fight for a long time. But there is definitely no future," the expert points out.
It is out of the question that Putin will be removed from office, summarizes "Frankfurter Rundschau". But in the context of an economy that is stagnating after more than four years of war, Putin's untouchability is starting to visibly crack.