India, April 26 -- Some Russian influencers recently released public appeals to President Vladimir Putin, criticising his Government and policies, and a number of his loyalists even threatened a revolt - the latest wave of public outcry over the country's strained wartime economy and mounting internet restrictions.

While none of this dissent indicates an imminent threat to Putin's rule, analysts say it presents a new and growing challenge for the Kremlin. "Greater and greater effort needs to be spent on maintaining the status quo," Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian politics who heads the Mayak Intelligence consultancy, wrote in an analysis.

A 19-minute video by popular Russian blogger Victoria Bonya has received 31 million views on In...