Wouldn't say I trust the Russian govt either - lack of other candidates to vote for and control over the media narrative were points raised in the 2015 articles as possible reasons for high approval (both were critical of the 'authoritarianism' of Putin's govt fwiw). But I'd be inclined to give the Russian public some credit in being able to see behind propaganda* and make rational evaluations of domestic and foreign affairs including the improvements made in their own lives since the dark days of Yeltsin. That must be a big reason explaining Putin's lasting popularity IMO.
cheers, I
*****
* - even saying this doesn't seem right, as most of what I've heard from Putin & other Russian officials has been basically accurate regarding the war, and especially the background leading up to it, though the rhetoric has sometimes been overdone, as you would expect. Zelensky et al & the western politicians & media have certainly outdone them in terms of outright lies & psy ops.