MOSCOW, 19 April 2022. As part of a special project with MIA Rossiya Segodnya, Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study marking the 152d anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin.

What we remember about Lenin

More than a third of Russians perceive Vladimir Lenin as a revolution leader (37%); this is followed by the “leader of the world's proletariat” (16%) and “head of state” (15%). Fewer respondents perceive him as the founder of the USSR (6%); 5% consider him as a leader of the USSR, and 5%, as a head of the Communist party. Only 2% of respondents do not know who Vladimir Lenin was.

One-third of Russians believe that in fifty years Lenin will be remembered primarily as the founder of the Soviet state (32%). A quarter of respondents think that he will be remembered as a leader who put the interests of the workers above all (26%); 13% say that in fifty years Lenin will remain in people’s memory as a prudent politician who imposed his will on a huge country (13%); 12%, as a great thinker who could predict the future. Every tenth respondent considers that he will be best remembered as a successful political risk taker (11%). Twenty-nine percent of Russians say that no one but historians will remember Lenin in fifty years.

Thinking of Lenin as a leader who acted in the interests of the workers is a more popular opinion today than previously (26%, +9 p.p. — 17% in 1995). The percentage of those who perceive Lenin as a successful political risk taker has returned to the 1995 levels; twelve years ago the number of respondents who shared this opinion was  four times as small  (3% in 2010), and 22 years ago twice as small (6% in 2000). The number of those who think that no one will remember Lenin except for historians has decreased compared to 2000s (−10 p.p., 39% in 2010).

Thirty-seven percent of Russians consider that the activities of Vladimir Lenin brought more good to Russia. A further 32% say he caused both good and harm. Twenty-one percent of Russians think he did more harm to Russia.

Lenin as viewed by youth 

Young Russians do consider Lenin a leader of the world’s proletariat (the 18-24-year-olds almost did not mention this characteristic (1%)). However, every eighth respondent in 25–34 age group gave the same answer, which is close to sample average (12%).

Russians aged 18-24 are more likely than other age groups to point out that in 4-5 decades Vladimir Lenin will be remembered as a prudent politician (22%) and successful political risk taker (27%; total respondents — 11%). Russians aged 25-34 are less likely to think the same way (18% and 13% respectively). Respondents in this age group think that Lenin will be remembered as the founder of the Soviet state (41%) and a leader who prioritized the interests of the working class (37%); these viewpoints are more common for these age groups than for the sample average.

Young Russians aged 18-24 are less likely to think that only historians will remember Lenin in fifty years compared to older age groups (36% of the 45-59-year-olds; 11% of the 18-24-year-olds). Both youth age groups are less likely to say that Lenin’s activity did more harm to Russia than good: this opinion is popular with older generations (15% of the 18-24-year-olds; 16% of the 25-34-year-olds; 26% of the 35-44-year-old).  

Russian nationwide telephone VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted April 12, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.