(KYIV) – Moscow is experiencing growing internal instability as fuel shortages, electricity blackouts, internet disruptions and anti-government protests spread across the Russian capital, according to Ukrainian vlogger Anna from Ukraine. The developments indicate that the war Russian dictator Vladimir Putin launched against Ukraine is increasingly impacting daily life in Russia’s most protected city.
During a single day, Moscow residents experienced protests and arrests, a gasoline crisis affecting logistics and food supplies, and prolonged electricity outages that disrupted internet services. The unrest comes as Ukrainian drones now visit the skies over Moscow on a near nightly basis.
Protesters demonstrating in support of the Yabloko political party were arrested. The party, which has historically avoided direct criticism of the Kremlin, has been barred from participating in September elections after sharing anti-war messages focused on the economic cost of the conflict.
“Yabloko is no real opposition. But Putin still fears them, understanding that he is getting less and less popular with each drone visit to the Russian capital,” Anna from Ukraine stated.
The gasoline crisis has reached Moscow despite Kremlin efforts to prioritise the capital over other regions. Up to 70 percent of all petrol stations across Russia are reportedly failing to meet demand, with residents in Moscow now standing in long queues for hours only to find no fuel available when they reach the pump. The shortages have disrupted logistics, leaving shelves in expensive Moscow supermarkets lacking fresh fruit and vegetables.
“This is happening in Russia that was always known as a gas station of the world,” Anna from Ukraine noted.
Electricity blackouts have affected three districts around the capital, leading to prolonged periods without power. The outages have caused internet disruptions after the largest data centre near Moscow was switched off. Russian vloggers have expressed anxiety that Ukrainian intelligence will identify the facility as a critical target.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has been openly critical of the situation, complaining for two consecutive days about Ukrainian drones in the capital’s airspace. The mayor is reportedly angry at having to answer questions about the failure of Moscow’s three concentric rings of air defence, which were supposed to protect the city but continue to fail.
The attacks have forced flight cancellations, affecting Russian oligarchs and businessmen who wished to travel internationally. The situation has also compelled the Russian dictator to cancel the main Victory Day parade in Moscow and another military parade, fearing that Ukrainian drones could expose his weakness by appearing near him.
“Putin had to cancel his main Victory Day parade in Moscow and then another military parade recently because he feared that the Ukrainian drones can expose his weakness with their presence literally near him,” Anna from Ukraine reported.
The Kremlin has attempted to address Moscow’s fuel shortage by diverting supplies from other regions, including Tula, where residents also face shortages. This prioritisation of Moscow over provincial areas highlights the Kremlin’s disregard for the broader Russian Federation, according to the report.
“This is the largest country in the world that definitely does not need any new territories. They don’t care about their regions and republics. They only care about the money and fun they can have in Moscow,” Anna from Ukraine said.
The situation marks a significant shift after four and a half years of a conflict that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin promised would be a three-day operation. The war is now being felt directly in Moscow, changing the opinions of formerly apolitical residents who are becoming increasingly anti-Putin.
The arrests of Yabloko supporters followed a Supreme Court decision declining any reassessment of the party’s situation. The party had been barred from September elections after sharing messages about the need to end the war because it is too expensive for Russia. This crackdown on even mild opposition demonstrates the dictator’s growing fear, according to the report.
“This is how frightened Putin is. That is so pathetic,” Anna from Ukraine commented.
In Ukraine, a recent change in defence leadership has prompted discussion. A new Minister of Defence has been appointed, respected for his work at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which has been behind numerous successful operations deep inside Russian territory. However, questions remain about the decision to remove previous minister Federov, who recorded a video discussing the necessity for elections.
During active war, organising safe elections is considered impossible due to voter registration challenges, with many Ukrainians relocated internally and abroad. Military personnel serving on the front lines would also be unable to participate in parliamentary elections, a significant consideration for any future electoral process.
“Russia may collapse, but it will not disappear and we have to be very alert,” Anna from Ukraine concluded.
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