Vladimir Putin faces mounting internal pressure as Russia's war in Ukraine strains economy and public support

Russia's war in Ukraine has entered a costly stalemate, with Ukrainian attacks reaching deep inside Russian territory, including near St Petersburg and Moscow. The Kremlin’s attempts to hide the human and financial toll are faltering as censorship tightens and security services gain more power, while the public’s perception of Putin’s invincibility erodes. Economic strain is evident: high interest rates, rising taxes, and a shrinking workforce have forced Russia to recruit labor from India and other Asian nations. Putin has exhausted a large share of the National Welfare Fund’s gold reserves, and the economy has slipped into contraction. These pressures are reflected in falling approval ratings and growing anxiety among urban middle‑class families about mobilization.

Analysts compare Putin’s tactics to those once used by Bashar al‑Assad in Syria, noting that heavy‑handed intimidation is meeting increasing resistance. The combined military setbacks, mounting casualties, and visible cost of the war are prompting a gradual shift in public sentiment across Russia.