Years After His Death, Vladimir Zhirinovsky Lives Rent-Free in Russians’ Heads
The late far-right firebrand remains a fixture in the public consciousness as a political prophet. And his popularity is only growing.
Even after four years since his death in 2022, Vladimir Zhirinovsky's presence lingers in Russians' minds. President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with parliamentary party leaders in late September, expressed his regret over the loss of this figure, stating it is a pity that he is gone. More than four years after Zhirinovsky's demise, his party still uses his image to campaign, and social media users reinterpret his speeches as prophecies.
Even his Instagram page bears comments praising him, including "Rest in peace, Uncle Vova; you always knew everything."
Zhirinovsky, a right-wing populist, led the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) since its inception in 1992. He made several presidential campaigns but never succeeded. Known more for his provocative and outlandish speeches than his legislative work, his persona became a source of comic relief for many Russians, inspiring numerous memes and musical mixes. After his death, AI videos have been created that portray him as an honest politician and a prophet, often contrasted with depictions of corrupt officials.
Since his death, the percentage of Russians who trusted Zhirinovsky has increased from 60% to 66%, according to a state pollster VTsIOM survey conducted in March 2025. During his lifetime, trust in Zhirinovsky usually fluctuated between 15-30%. The idea that Zhirinovsky foresaw events others didn't has become a key aspect of his posthumous popularity.
His predictions that seem to have come true, like anticipating Russia's invasion of Ukraine, are often cited online. While many of his statements from the 2000s were not accurate, such as claims about the 2024 U.S. presidential election being canceled and NATO collapsing, they still contribute to his image.
Social media users have created AI videos that portray Zhirinovsky as a prophet, contrasting him with corrupt officials. A survey revealed that 66% of Russians trust Zhirinovsky, up from 60% shortly after his death. Zhirinovsky's image has evolved from that of a scandal-prone politician to a symbol of patriotism and strategic foresight, a change linked to recent upheavals that challenge Russians' worldview.
Political analyst Abbas Gallyamov suggests that part of the positive perception of Zhirinovsky after his death is due to people's tendency to remember someone more kindly after they pass away. However, the main reason for his popularity now is the political vacuum in Russia, where people are dissatisfied with the existing leaders and none new are in sight.
Zhirinovsky's showmanship has filled this vacuum, making him a standout figure. Living conditions in Russia are deteriorating, with no response from politicians to people's concerns. In this context, the colorful and charismatic Zhirinovsky is nostalgically remembered.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
