Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Trying to answer the VCIOM’s questions, the residents of Russia, Crimea and Sevastopol are recollecting the Crimean spring and thinking over whether they made a right choice.

MOSCOW, March 18, 2020. Russian Public Opinion research Centre (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to how the residents of the Republic of Crimea perceive Crimea’s reunification with Russia.

Today an absolute majority of the residents of the Republic of Crimea (93%) and Sevastopol (90%) assess Russia’s reunification with Crimea in a positive way.  As in 2014, 90% of Russians are confident that the decision was right. Almost every second Russian perceives Crimea as “Russia’s ancestral land” (49%).

Six years later, three-quarters of Russian citizens (71%) see more benefits from the Crimea’s incorporation into Russia.

Three -quarters (72%) of the Crimean residents and 67% of the Sevastopol residents say that Crimea’s reunification with Russia has had positive effects on their lives and the life of their families. Besides that, 77% of respondents are happy with the current situation in the republic; 71% of Sevastopol residents are satisfied with the situation in their city. 

As to positive effects, most of the Crimean residents point to improvements in their lives and financial status (23%), maintaining peace in their republic (18%). Every second (9%) mentions jobs in different industries/legal employment. The residents of Sevastopol often mention security (16%), say that their dream to live in Russia came true, and improvements in well-being (14%, respectively).

On the contrary, 8% of Crimeans and 12% of respondents living in Sevastopol consider that Crimea’s incorporation into Russia has had a negative impact on their lives. Negative consequences are as follows: difficulties crossing the border (7%), price increase and loss of connections with their relatives (6%, respectively).

Fourteen percent of the residents of Crimea and Sevastopol say that Crimea’s reunification with Russia has not had any impact on their lives.

In a situation simulating the referendum, 88% of Crimeans and 84% of Sevastopol residents say that in a repeat vote they would vote for Crimea’s incorporation into the Russian Federation. Only 4% of Crimeans and 7% of Sevastopol residents would choose the status of Crimea as an autonomous republic within Ukraine. At the same time, 8% and 10% remain undecided.

Russians consider that the key reasons why certain countries are reluctant to recognize Crimea as part of the Russian Federation are political interests (12%), lack of desire to strengthen relations with Russia and negative attitudes towards Russia in general (8%, each).

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on March 14, 2020 and commissioned by the Expert Institute for Social Research. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Survey among the residents of the Republic of Crimea was conducted on March 14-15 and commissioned by the Expert Institute for Social Research. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Crimean landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.8%.

Survey among the residents of the city of Sevastopol was conducted on March 14-15 and commissioned by the Expert Institute for Social Research. Results are based on telephone interviews with 800 respondents aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Crimean landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%.

How do you generally assess the Crimea’s reunification with the Russian Federation: positively or negatively?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Crimea

 

2019

2020

Definitely positively

69

66

Rather positively

24

27

Rather negatively

2

3

Definitely negatively

1

1

Don’t know/refusal to answer/indifferent

4

3

How do you generally assess the Sevastopol’s reunification with the Russian Federation: positively or negatively? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Sevastopol

 

2020

Definitely positively

65

Rather positively

25

Rather negatively

4

Definitely negatively

2

Don’t know/refusal to answer/indifferent

4

The Crimean status referendum was held in March 2014. If a referendum with the same questions as five years ago were held next Sunday, which option would you choose?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Crimea

Sevastopol

 

2019

2020

2020

I would support Crimea’s incorporation into Russia  

89

88

84

I would support the autonomous status of Crimea as part of Ukraine  

3

4

7

Don’t know

8

8

10

Has the Crimea’s reunification with Russia had an impact on your life and the life of your family? If so, what kind of impact: positive or negative? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Crimea

Sevastopol

 

2019

2020

2020

Positive impact

72

72

67

No impact

15

14

14

Negative impact

7

8

12

Don’t know / refusal to answer

6

6

6

What positive consequences has the Crimea’s reunification with Russia had on you/your family? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% respondents)

 

Crimea

Life got better/ stability/ order/ improvements in well-being/ hope for better future

23

Peaceful situation in the republic / security/ tranquility / normal political situation

18

Jobs in many industries / legal employment

9

Pension increase /drawing-up of pensions/ stable payment

8

Living in one state with the relatives / having no problems travelling across the country

8

A dream of living in Russia has come true/ pride for the country and the president

7

Healthcare services development (free of charge, high quality services, compulsory health insurance , repairs and equipment in hospitals, construction of hospitals)

6

Salary increase

5

Russian language

5

Increase in child benefits/ maternity capital, benefits for the disabled persons, people with many children, etc.

4

Positive changes in general/ development

4

Road repairs/ bridge opening

4

Improvements in education (a better curriculum, free education, activities, school meals, etc.)

3

Better morally, quieter, more stable

3

Construction/repairs to kindergartens, health centers, camps / shorter queuing to kindergartens

2

We have moved to Crimea

2

Development of infrastructure/ region in general

2

Good job of public utilities companies (water supply, gas distribution network, etc.)

2

Housing problems are being solved

2

Beautification (parks, children’s playgrounds, yards, lights, repairs, creating green areas, etc.)

2

Other

5

No improvements

2

Don’t know

27

What positive consequences has the Sevastopol’s reunification with Russia had on you/your family?

 (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% respondents)

 

Sevastopol

Peaceful situation in the republic / security/ tranquility / normal political situation

16

A dream of living in Russia has come true / pride for the country and the president

14

Life got better/ stability/ order/ improvements in well-being/ hope for better future

14

Pension increase /drawing-up of pensions/ stable payment

7

We have moved to Crimea

7

Russian language

6

Jobs in many industries / legal employment

6

Living in one state with the relatives / having no problems travelling across the country

6

Healthcare services development (free of charge, high quality services, compulsory health insurance , repairs and equipment in hospitals, construction of hospitals)

5

Positive changes in general/ development

5

Salary increase

4

Better morally

4

Beautification (parks, children’s playgrounds, yards, lights, repairs, creating green areas, etc.)

4

Road repairs/ bridge opening

3

Increase in child benefits/ maternity capital, benefits for the disabled persons, people with many children, etc.

3

Improvements in education (a better curriculum, free education, activities, school meals, etc.)

3

Development of infrastructure/ region in general

3

Housing problems are being solved

2

More opportunities / prospects 

2

Construction/repairs to kindergartens, schools, health centers, camps / shorter queuing to kindergartens

2

Other

12

No improvements

4

Don’t know

22

What negative consequences has the Crimea’s reunification with Russia had on you/your family?

(open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% of respondents)

 

Crimea

Problems crossing the borders / leaving the country/poor relations with Ukraine – difficulties at the border  

7

Increase of prices for everything  (food, clothes, utilities, petrol)

6

Loss of connections with relatives/ difficulties interacting with relatives/ breaking-up with the relatives

6

Water/ water supply / scheduled water supply

5

Low salaries/ pensions/ no one gets benefits/ decreased living standards

4

Sanctions/ no recognition

4

Bureaucracy/ strict laws/ problems with documents

3

Health services have worsened/queues/prices for medicines have increased/ no subsidized medicines

3

Taxation/ tax increase/ no support for small businesses  

2

Unemployment

2

Local authorities do not do anything/ no attention to people’s problems / no dialogue between the authorities and people  

2

Negative changes in personal life

2

Other

17

None

15

Don’t know

45

What negative consequences has the Sevastopol’s reunification with Russia had on you/your family?

 (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondent;  answers of at least 2% of respondents)

 

Sevastopol

Increase of prices for everything (food, clothes, utilities, petrol)

12

Low salaries/ pensions/ no one gets benefits/ decreased living standards

9

Problems crossing the borders / leaving the country/poor relations with Ukraine – difficulties at the border 

7

Sanctions / no recognition

6

Health services have worsened/queues/prices for medicines have increased/ no subsidized medicines

4

Loss of connections with relatives/ difficulties interacting with relatives/ breaking-up with the relatives

4

Bureaucracy/ strict laws/ problems with documents

4

Banking / limited banking services/ lack of banks

4

Taxation/ tax increase/ no support for small businesses 

4

Unemployment

3

Local authorities do not do anything/ no attention to people’s problems / no dialogue between the authorities and people 

3

Antinational legislation/violation of people’s rights and freedoms

3

Negative changes in my personal life  

2

Overpopulation / migrants

2

No general layout is approved / infill development in green areas  and coastal area / land withdrawal

2

Riots/ guns/ crime rate increase/ drug addiction / poor work of law enforcement bodies

2

Lack of shops, markets / poorly organized commerce/ poor quality goods / no large assortment

2

Corruption

2

Expensive houses / unaffordable loan payment / no opportunity to solve the housing problem  / high rental costs for houses 

2

Other

14

None

13

Don’t know

35

Speaking about the republic in general, are you satisfied with the situation in the republic?  

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Crimea

 

2019

2020

Quite satisfied

30

29

Rather satisfied

45

48

Rather dissatisfied

16

15

Completely dissatisfied

5

5

Don’t know

4

3

Speaking about the situation in Sevastopol in general, are you satisfied with the situation in the city?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Sevastopol

 

2020

Quite satisfied

24

Rather satisfied

47

Rather dissatisfied

20

Completely dissatisfied

6

Don’t know

3

In your opinion, did Russia make a right decision to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

Russian Federation

 

III.2014

VI.2014

III.2016

III.2018

III.2020

Definitely right

71

70

69

71

62

Rather right

24

24

18

20

28

Rather wrong

2

2

5

3

5

Definitely wrong

1

1

3

2

2

Don’t know

2

3

5

4

3

Why do you think that the Crimea’s incorporation into the Russian Federation was a good decision? Give us a reason that you consider to be the most important (open-ended question, one answer, % of those who consider the decision right; answers of at least 2% of respondents)

 

Russian Federation

 

2018

2020

It is Russia’s ancestral territory/ Crimea is ours

54

49

Russian people live there

-

8

Expression of opinion of those living there

8

5

Historic justice

4

5

Protection of people/Crimeans’ life has got better

6

4

Access to the sea

3

3

Strategic importance

4

3

Geopolitics/ tempo battle

 

3

Transfer to Ukraine was illegal  

-

2

Country’s development/territorial expansion

-

2

Other

-

4

Don’t know

12

11

In your opinion, has the Crimea’s incorporation into the Russian territory brought more good or more harm to Russia?   

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

Russian Federation

 

VI.2014

II.2015

III.2016  

III.2017

III.2018

III.2020

Rather more good

75

69

60

78

69

71

Rather more harm

9

14

22

13

13

14

Don’t know

16

17

18

9

18

15

In your opinion, why do certain countries refuse to officially recognize Crimea as part of the Russian territory?  

(open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% respondents)

 

Russian Federation

Political interests / they wanted to have influence over Crimea  / benefits

12

They do not want development/they do not want a strong Russia  / Russia’s expansion

8

Negative perception of Russia / anti-Russian xenophobia

8

Non-transparent procedure / violating the treaties

6

The USA is orchestrating / turns other countries against Russia / the USA is against / the USA supports Ukraine / they are afraid of the USA

6

Envious / it is disappointing

5

Russia has occupied Crimea / territory under occupation / Russia is an aggressor

5

Crimea is a military base / access to the sea / strategic importance

5

They are afraid / afraid that Russia will occupy their territories

3

They support Ukraine  / They do not want to have disputes with Ukraine

3

Illiteracy / they have a poor knowledge of history  / fools

3

Crimea was part of Ukraine / I consider Crimea Ukrainian

2

They are afraid of foreign influences / sanctions / political dependence

2

The USA/NATO countries wanted to install their military bases  there

2

Pressure on Russia

2

Other

7

Don’t know

37

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