According to the independent Russian news source Verstka's report dated May 22, 2026, mid-level Kremlin officials and bureaucrats in Russia are increasingly concerned about the future of Vladimir Putin's political system. The decline in public approval ratings and the pressures created by the ongoing war with Ukraine are deepening pessimism within the state. A Kremlin employee stated, "It is clear to everyone that the system has no future, and everyone discusses this among themselves." However, it is noted that this situation has not gone beyond that. Senior officials close to Putin feel relatively secure, while lower-level officials anxiously await what will happen if the current government structure weakens or collapses. Some officials try to focus on personal matters amid the uncertainty. According to data from the Russian State Public Opinion Research Center, Putin's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level before the 2022 invasion due to economic slowdown and strict internet controls. These developments are seen as part of the Kremlin's efforts to control the information space.