A July 2026 survey finds 66% of Russians expect "hard times" ahead, a 16-point rise since January matching sentiment last seen during the 1991 USSR collapse and 1992 hyperinflation.
In July 2026, two-thirds of Russians said the country faces "hard times," pushing public pessimism to levels not recorded since the final months of the Soviet Union and the hyperinflation crisis of 1992, according to a new sociological survey.
The poll found 66 percent of respondents anticipating serious difficulties, a share that has grown by 16 percentage points — roughly one-third — since the start of the year. Analysts noted that comparable readings of 66-67 percent were registered only in 1991, shortly before the USSR dissolved, and in 1992 when inflation reached 2,500 percent.
The deterioration in sentiment coincides with the continuing war in Ukraine, now in its third year, which has strained the economy, triggered mobilization, and isolated Russia from Western markets. While the Kremlin has emphasized stability, the survey suggests a widening gap between official narratives and public expectations.
The survey was cited by the Telegram channel of Anatoly Amelin, who referenced data from the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (RSNPZD). The center did not immediately release methodological details such as sample size or margin of error.
https://t.me/AnatoliyAmelin/16885