Russian Economic Confidence Plummets to Two-Decade Low

Sixty percent of Russians believe their national economy is deteriorating, a level of pessimism unseen in twenty years. This sharp decline in public morale, captured in a recent Gallup survey, arrives alongside a cooling of domestic support for the military and persistent strain from energy infrastructure disruptions.

Editorial·June 30, 2026·reads: 496

Russian Economic Confidence Plummets to Two-Decade Low

The data, gathered through phone interviews with 1,000 citizens between March and May, reveals a broader shift in institutional trust. Support for the Russian military has slipped to 66%, a notable retreat from the 80% recorded in 2022. This erosion of confidence coincides with tangible supply chain pressures, specifically gasoline shortages triggered by strikes on oil refineries.

Across the border, the mood remains equally strained. Only 7% of Ukrainians now approve of U.S. leadership, reflecting a significant drop in international sentiment. Despite the lack of consensus on the terms of a potential settlement, 66% of Ukrainian respondents expressed a preference for moving toward negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.