Vladimir Putin’s control over Russian society is sometimes, in hyperbolic moments, equated to an Orwellian totalitarianism, brooking neither debate nor dissent. Looking at more liberal opponents of his regime, it is easy to see why: from the tortured killing of Alexei Navalny to five-year imprisonments for tweeting. But while the Kremlin has stamped out the pro-Western opposition, the ultranationalist right remains an open and constant challenge. As the three-day supposed “special military operation” stagnated into an attritional nightmare, Putin has faced aggressive criticism – which has only escalated since Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk, reigniting tensions between nationalists and state propagandists.
The Kremlin has downplayed the incursion and insisted that everything is under control, highlighting Russia’s advances in Donbas. But this narrative has left an information gap. The community known as “Z-bloggers” have filled this void with blunt honesty. Z-bloggers hold a unique place in Russian media, gaining popularity for their perceived authenticity on Telegram, where some have more than a million followers, and their direct engagement with the war. Many are active soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Their critical stance is tolerated by the Kremlin because they have helped to mobilise men and parts of society for the war. But their grassroots connection often puts them at odds with Kremlin narratives.
Content from our partners
