Russian media openly turns on Putin and rages at Moscow’s collapsing e | World | News

Russian newspapers are openly mocking the country’s deepening economic turmoil in a rare public display of frustration inside Russia. The growing signs of discontent were highlighted by BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg, who has been monitoring Russian media coverage as the Kremlin battles soaring inflation, shortages and the strain of the war in Ukraine.

In a post on X, Mr Rosenberg observed: “Judging by what I read in Russian newspapers, jokes about economic problems & internet restrictions are permitted. Can’t see any jokes about the president.” His review of the Russian press revealed increasingly bleak reporting on the state of the economy, alongside dark humour aimed at rising prices, censorship and collapsing living standards. Kommersant, one of Russia’s best-known daily newspapers, admitted that while there had been “an April improvement in estimates of current demand for Russian industrial products”, the country’s manufacturing slowdown was continuing.

The publication warned: “The dynamics of investment, employment, and capacity utilisation point to continued cooling, while weak domestic demand remains a key constraint on production expansion.”

Another report by Izvestia, which has strong pro-Kremlin ties, claimed nearly a quarter of Russia’s bond market is now at risk of default because of crippling borrowing costs and rising taxes.

It also cited growing shortages of cancer medicines across the country including methotrexate and etoposide, with “mass complaints” emerging from patients.

But it is the appearance of openly pessimistic jokes in state-linked newspapers and magazines that has stunned observers.

One joke published in one of Russia’s biggest and most widely read tabloids, Komsomolskaya Pravda, said: “For 75% of Russians, all that’s left of their financial cushion are a few feathers and a cushion cover with a hole in it.”

Another mocked runaway inflation: “My descendants, hi, I suppose you’re living in space by now.”

The response came: “Oh no. Up there, we’ve only put the prices in the shops.”

Mr Rosenberg also highlighted jokes targeting Russia’s strict internet controls and repeated airport chaos caused by Ukrainian drone attacks.

Several of the satirical jokes were published in the weekly state-aligned newspaper Argumenty i Fakty, including one targeting Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor – which has blocked websites and slowed internet access.

One satirical line read: “This winter, Roskomnadzor ordered lots of snowstorms to slow down traffic.”

Another mocked the repeated shutdowns at Moscow airports.

“Where did you go on holiday this year?” one joke asked.

“I had a week away at Moscow Sheremetyevo airport.”

Another replied: “Well, we had a week and a half away at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport.”

Other jokes directly targeted soaring food prices and disputed official claims over wages.

One quip read: “Customer asks seller, are those cucumbers fresh?”

“Of course they are. We only put up the price this morning.”

Another added: “Experts claim that the wages of the general public are rising. But the general public says that’s not true. Yes, but they’re not experts.”

The unusually open mockery reflects growing economic pressure across Russia as sanctions, military spending and labour shortages continue to hammer the economy.