More Signs Russia’s Internet Crackdown Is Backfiring
Key takeaways
- Aerospace & Defense More Signs Russia’s Internet Crackdown Is Backfiring By Natasha Lindstaedt,
- Despite the almost $3 billion spent on television propaganda, Putin is not as popular in Russia as he would like to be.
- Maybe this is a distraction for Putin’s poll number problems.
Aerospace & Defense More Signs Russia’s Internet Crackdown Is Backfiring By Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Natasha Lindstaedt is a professor at the University of Essex Follow Author May 24, 2026, 11:38am EDTMay 24, 2026, 12:45pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.YAROSLAVL, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER,1 (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Presidential Adminitsration's First Deputy Chief of Staff Sergey Kiriyenko (L) observe an exhibition prior to the All-Russia's Open Lesson in Yaroslavl, 260 km. north of Moscow, Russia, September,1,2017. Putin is having a one-day trip to Yaroslavl to conduct the All Russia's open lesson broadcasted to all schools in the country. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)Getty Images
Vladmir Putin has a problem. Despite the almost $3 billion spent on television propaganda, Putin is not as popular in Russia as he would like to be. Over four years after Russia’s invasion, the war in Ukraine continues to grind on. Aiming for total control over the Donbas, which experts are increasingly saying will take years, Russia launched a massive attack on Kiev using its powerful hypersonic Oreshnik missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that his country’s air defences intercepted 549 of the drones and 55 missiles in one of Russia’s biggest attacks since the war started.