(MOSCOW) – Russian citizens have begun directly challenging the Kremlin leadership in a series of social media videos that demand accountability for fuel shortages, economic decline and the ongoing war against Ukraine.
In recent months, a growing number of Russians have recorded video messages addressed to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, expressing anger over soaring prices, chronic fuel shortages and the destruction of oil refineries following Ukrainian drone strikes. The videos, compiled by independent observer Artur Rehi, show citizens calling for the resignation of Putin and the entire Russian government.
At least six videos reviewed by this news organisation depict Russians waiting in lengthy queues at fuel stations across western Russia, where supplies have become critically scarce. One woman described being stuck at a petrol station for three days, unable to obtain fuel despite repeated attempts.
“Every day something new happens. Something is burning. Something is smoking. Prices are soaring,” one man said in a video. “We constantly feel like we have to struggle just to survive.”
The fuel crisis has been exacerbated by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, which have destroyed multiple refineries and storage facilities. Analysts estimate the attacks have reduced Russian refining capacity by approximately 15 per cent since the beginning of 2026.
A second video showed a man questioning why Russian air defence systems had failed to protect the country’s energy infrastructure. “Where are all those S-300s, S-400s, S-500s?” he asked. “Sold them to Turkey and everyone else. You had more important things to spend money on. Palaces, yachts.”
The man further accused Putin of using Russian Navy warships to escort his personal superyacht, which is valued at approximately $1bn (£775m), during wartime.
Tatiana Bakalchuk, founder of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, warned in a Telegram post that the diesel shortage threatened to destroy the country’s agricultural sector. Harvesting season in southern Russia begins in August, and farmers face potential crop failure without access to diesel fuel for agricultural machinery.
The agricultural sector, which owes billions of roubles to Russian banks, could trigger a broader financial crisis if harvests fail. Wildberries itself holds substantial debt to Russian financial institutions, leading analysts to warn of potential bank failures if the company collapses.
One video showed a man explicitly calling for Putin to resign, along with the entire State Duma. “I believe the president should resign,” he said. “If the person has the inner courage, he should resign and hold fair, open, competitive elections.”
The man suggested Russia’s population of 140 million could produce 450 decent lawmakers to replace the current parliament. However, official population data has not been published for years, with independent estimates suggesting the figure has fallen well below 130 million due to war casualties, emigration and pandemic-related deaths.
Another video directly countered Putin’s televised assertion that Russians were “ready to endure this war”. The speaker declared: “We are not ready to endure. Don’t speak for me. Don’t speak for most of those who live in Russia. What are we ready to endure? Are we ready to watch our children die every day?”
The video concluded with a plea for diplomatic resolution, stating: “Let’s end the war and then we’ll talk about who is right, who is to blame.”
Such public criticism carries significant personal risk in Russia, where laws criminalise discrediting the armed forces and spreading false information about the military, offences punishable by lengthy prison sentences.
The Kremlin has not responded to the videos. However, Russian propaganda has historically sought to shift blame for domestic problems onto Ukraine and Western nations.
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