Russian Influencers Outraged by Putin’s Internet Crackdown

Russian social media influencers are publicly criticizing President Vladimir Putin’s government for intensifying internet restrictions, marking a rare wave of dissent from figures who once avoided political commentary.

The criticism gained prominence after Russian beauty influencer Victoria Bonya, who lives in Monaco, posted an 18-minute Instagram video addressed directly to Putin. In the video, she stated, “People are afraid of you, bloggers are afraid of you, artists are afraid of you, governors are afraid of you. And you are the president of our country,” accusing the government of mismanaging livestock culls in Siberia, failing to respond adequately to floods in Dagestan, and imposing restrictions that prevent citizens from communicating with loved ones.

Bonya’s video, which has been viewed more than 26 million times and received over 75,000 comments, resonated widely among Russian-speaking audiences. She emphasized that the restrictions are creating a sense of isolation, saying, “There’s a feeling that we’re no longer living in a free country.” Many commenters praised her courage for speaking out despite potential risks.

Another influencer, known as Aiza and also based abroad, supported Bonya’s message, warning that new restrictions on the Telegram messaging platform would be a “huge hit to the Russian economy” and citing additional grievances such as high taxes and growing inequality.

The Kremlin has not issued a detailed public rebuttal to the influencers’ claims, though state-aligned media have dismissed such criticism as unfounded or influenced by foreign interests. Bonya has maintained that she supports Putin personally but believes officials are withholding the true state of affairs from him, creating a “big, fat wall” between the president and ordinary citizens.

The backlash reflects growing unease over Russia’s broader digital crackdown, which has included throttling of foreign platforms, increased surveillance, and legal penalties for sharing unverified information online. Influencers who once focused on lifestyle, beauty, and fitness content are now using their platforms to highlight systemic issues, signaling a shift in how public figures engage with politics in the country.

As of April 21, 2026, the video continues to circulate widely across social media, with no indication that the influencers have faced formal repercussions for their posts, though the environment for online dissent in Russia remains increasingly precarious.