Russia Policy Monitor No. 2726

PUTIN CHOKES OFF THE INTERNET
Targeted internet outages in Russia are becoming increasingly disruptive as the Russian government pressures Russians to use state-backed messaging service MAX. Outages are primarily impacting foreign services, such as messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp, through which many Russians communicate and conduct business, and access essential services like taxi and navigation apps. Some regions within Russia report that the only sites that work on mobile devices are those on the Russian government's "whitelist." Some Russians are publicly petitioning for the restoration of regular internet access, a dangerous activity in authoritarian Russia.

Russian citizens are increasingly frustrated, and some interviewed by the BBC reported feeling that the country is moving backward. Recently, Russian celebrity blogger Victoria Bonya slammed Putin over the internet crackdowns. In response to growing discontent, Putin encouraged officials to "accommodate the vital interests of citizens." However, the Russian President has given no inclination if and when he may lift restrictions. (BBC, April 24, 2026)

THE DISMAL STATE OF THE FEDERATION
Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has fallen to 65.6 percent, its lowest level since the beginning of the war, according to the Russian Public Opinion Research Center, a state-owned pollster. While it is inherently difficult to gauge genuine public opinion in an authoritarian regime, this represents a dramatic drop – totaling 12.2 percentage points since the start of 2026. The declining numbers reflect growing weariness among ordinary Russians as the Ukraine war drags on into its fifth year and economic sanctions increasingly bite. Recently, some members of Russia's financial elite have begun to speak out critically regarding the Kremlin's handling of the Russian economy, which is constricting under tough sanctions and high interest rates. Internet restrictions are also driving discontent, especially among youthful segments of the population who have become used to global connectivity and Western social media. (Washington Post, April 27, 2026)

RUSSIA PUSHES POPULATION DISPLACEMENT IN OCCUPIED MARIUPOL
Russian occupation authorities in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol are pressuring residents to obtain Russian title deeds or risk the seizure of their property. Russia introduced a new law in December 2025 to facilitate these seizures, and rights advocates warn that these property seizures likely aim to displace Ukrainians from their homes to free up property for Russians moving to occupied parts of Ukraine. For many residents, it is impossible to apply for a Russian deed because the original documents were destroyed during the fight over the city, or because the primary homeowner is now living outside of the occupied territory and cannot return. (New York Times, April 22, 2026)

MORE CRACKDOWNS ON RIGHTS GROUPS
On April 27th, a Russian court labeled Russia's top LGBTQ+ rights group an "extremist" organization, outlawing the organization and laying the groundwork for the state to prosecute its staff and supporters. The move follows years of prior crackdowns on LGBTQ+ organizations, which only accelerated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Previous legal actions against the LGBTQ+ community include a 2023 Russian Supreme Court decision to ban the so-called "international social LGBT movement" as an "extremist" organization, the raiding of LGBTQ+ clubs and bars, and fines for people who display LGBTQ+ symbols in public. (The Moscow Times, April 27, 2026)

PUTIN RESHUFFLES RUSSIAN SOFT POWER
The Kyiv Post reports that President Putin has replaced the head of the state-run Rossotrudnichestvo, an organization functioning under Russia's Foreign Ministry and one of Russia's main instruments of "soft power." The former head, Yevgeny Primakov, the grandson and the late former prime minister of the same name, had his 6-year leadership of the agency come to an end on Monday, as Igor Chaika, son of Russia's former prosecutor general, took his place. Rossotrudnichestvo runs a global network of cultural centers called "Russian Houses" that endeavor to bring together pro-Kremlin compatriots overseas. These outposts have been under growing suspicion by their host countries for being vehicles for Russian intelligence and influence operations, with countries such as Azerbaijan and Moldova ordering them to close. (Kyiv Post, April 28, 2026)