High-profile Russian lifestyle influencers lash out in rare display of anger at Putin’s policies
High-profile Russian lifestyle influencers lash out in rare display of anger at Putin’s policies
President Vladimir Putin found himself the target of a rare outburst from a prominent Russian beauty influencer. In a video posted on Instagram, Victoria Bonya, known for her makeup tutorials and lifestyle content, addressed him directly. “Vladimir Vladimirovich, people are afraid of you,” she began, listing grievances that spanned government inefficiency and digital censorship. Her critique included delayed responses to floods in Dagestan, harsh handling of livestock culls in Siberia, and escalating online restrictions, which she claimed were stifling personal communication.
“There’s a feeling that we’re no longer living in a free country,” Bonya said, her message gaining traction as she now resides in Monaco and runs a cosmetics brand.
Aiza, another influential figure in Russia’s online community, echoed these concerns. Living abroad, she criticized the recent Telegram restrictions, arguing they would “deal a major blow to the Russian economy.” She also highlighted high taxes and growing inequality, questioning, “How much money do you need to steal so that it’s enough?” with reference to politicians amassing billions while citizens struggle.
The backlash against the Kremlin has intensified amid shifting public sentiment. Recent polls suggest declining support for Putin, especially as he intensifies his war in Ukraine while Russia grapples with domestic economic strain. Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik, noted that the latest internet measures—such as mobile outages and Telegram throttling—mark “a turning point,” even in a nation used to wartime controls.
Russian internet restrictions have grown more severe since early spring. Rolling blackouts in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg disrupted daily routines, coinciding with crackdowns on Telegram and VPNs. Officials framed the outages as a security measure against Ukrainian cyberattacks, promising full service restoration once the threat subsided. However, influencers like Liza Moka, who lives in a remote area, faced unique challenges. Her video, which went viral with 2 million views, depicted her struggle to keep her children educated online.
“I can’t go on like this,” Moka said in a tearful message. “When I tell my kids, raised to be patriotic, that I must use a special VPN to get them through school, it feels like nonsense.”
Young users also voiced frustration. A 19-year-old named Artyom shared a video with over 600,000 views, expressing shock at the ban on English words in advertising. “Where is freedom?” he asked, questioning why anyone still calls themselves free in a country where online speech is increasingly restricted.
The backlash reflects a broader discontent. With Instagram still accessible via VPNs, creators face dual hurdles: censorship and economic pressure. The September law that barred advertising on blocked platforms has left many influencers reliant on alternative services, adding to the strain as internet access becomes more unpredictable.
