A subtle drop in Putin's ratings carries an unusual signal (opens in new tab)

The steady decline in Vladimir Putin's ratings is sending a message — just not the kind polls in democracies are designed to capture. As the Kremlin's grip over the internet tightens, pro-war military bloggers, figures from state-approved "opposition" parties, and even influencers have railed against the online crackdown. State-linked pollsters, meanwhile, report that the Russian president's approval rating has steadily declined, reaching its lowest point during the all-out invasion of Ukraine