Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

MOSCOW, 29 December 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey commissioned by Social Research Expert Institute (EISI) and devoted to the Russian perceptions of the special military operation outcomes.

Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine has been on for over a year. Despite the fact that it may take longer to settle the conflict, respondents have already noticed tangible results. Importance Index varied within 72-83 points across all the SMO events under test. Lifting of Crimea water blockade is the most important event and perceived positively by a vast majority of respondents (percentage of absolute support* is 85%). Event Importance Index** gained 83 points; Attitudes Index *** gained 86 points.

 

The events are arranged in decreasing order of the size of the groups of absolute support:

  • Accomplishment of the liberation of LPR; liberation of a considerable part of DPR (80%). Importance Index – 79 points; Attitudes Index – 81 points;
  • Consolidation of the Russian society in joint efforts to help Russian soldiers and officers (79%). Importance Index – 78 points; Attitudes Index – 81 points;
  • Changing the status of the Sea of Azov (the sea has become an inland sea of Russia), which made it impossible for the NATO countries to build naval bases on the coast (79%). Importance Index – 75 points; Attitudes Index – 81 points;
  • Inhabitants of the new regions now have an opportunity to live according to their traditions, culture and speak their mother tongue (79%). Importance Index -  73 points; Attitudes Index – 80 points;
  • Consolidation of the Russian society in joint efforts to help at the frontline, inhabitants of the new regions, settlers (78%). Importance Index -  72 points; Attitudes Index – 80 points;
  • Higher sense of responsibility among Russians over what they do, the country’s future (77%). Importance Index -  72 points; Attitudes Index – 82 points;
  • Four new regions have joined Russia – DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions (76%). Importance Index – 76 points; Attitudes Index – 73 points.

* Percentage of those who consider the event/fact important and show positive perceptions towards it.

** Index is based on the answers to the question “Are these events and facts likely important or unimportant for Russia?” and calculated as the difference between positive and negative assessments. Index can vary between -100 and +100. The higher the index, the more important the event is.

*** Index is based on the answers to the question “What are your attitudes towards the listed events:  likely positive, likely negative or indifferent”? and calculated as the difference between positive and negative assessments. Index can vary between -100 and +100. The higher the index, the better the attitudes to the event are.

Russian nationwide telephone surveys was commissioned by Social Research Expert Institute (EISI) and conducted December 27, 2022. A total of 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interview, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted according to 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.

 

Are these events and facts likely important or unimportant for Russia?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Likely important event

 

Likely unimportant event

 

Don’t know 

Importance index, in point

Due to the special military operation the water blockade of Crimea was lifted; a new road to Crimea appeared  

89

6

5

83

Luhansk People’s republic was fully liberated; a considerable part of Donetsk People’s Republic  was liberated

86

7

7

79

Public support for our soldiers and officers consolidated the Russian  society

84

6

10

78

Four new regions joined Russia: Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions

85

9

6

76

The Sea of Azov became an inland sea of the Russian Federation, which made it impossible for the NATO countries to build naval bases on the coast 

83

8

9

75

As four new regions joined Russia, their citizens received an opportunity to live according to their traditions, culture and communicate in their mother tongue

83

10

7

73

Russian society became more united by helping those who are at the frontline, inhabitants of new regions, settlers

82

10

8

72

Intensification of the Russian sense of responsibility over what they do, over the country’s future

81

9

10

72

What are your attitudes towards the listed events:  likely positive, likely negative or indifferent? (closed-ended question, one answer for each line, % of total respondents)

 

Likely positive

 

Likely negative

 

Indifferent

 

Don’t know

Attitudes Index, in points

Due to the special military operation the water blockade of Crimea was lifted; a new road to Crimea appeared 

89

3

7

1

86

Intensification of the Russian sense of responsibility over what they do, over the country’s future

86

4

6

4

82

Luhansk People’s republic was fully liberated; a considerable part of Donetsk People’s Republic  was liberated

85

4

7

4

81

Public support for our soldiers and officers consolidated the Russian  society

85

4

6

5

81

The Sea of Azov became an inland sea of the Russian Federation,  which made it impossible for the NATO countries to build naval bases on the coast 

84

3

9

4

81

As four new regions joined Russia, their citizens received an opportunity to live according to their traditions, culture and communicate in their mother tongue

84

4

8

4

80

Russian society became more united by helping those who are at the frontline, inhabitants of new regions, settlers

84

4

7

5

80

Four new regions joined Russia: Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions

80

7

11

2

73

 

Size of groups of absolute support (percentage of Russians, %, who consider the fact/event important and show positive perceptions towards it) 

Due to the special military operation the water blockade of Crimea was lifted; a new road to Crimea appeared 

85

Luhansk People’s republic was fully liberated; a considerable part of Donetsk People’s Republic  was liberated

80

Public support for our soldiers and officers consolidated the Russian  society

79

The Sea of Azov became an inland sea of the Russian Federation, which made it impossible for the NATO countries to build naval bases on the coast 

79

As four new regions joined Russia, their citizens received an opportunity to live according to their traditions, culture and communicate in their mother tongue

79

Russian society became more united by helping those who are at the frontline, inhabitants of new regions, settlers

78

Intensification of the Russian sense of responsibility over what they do, over the country’s future

77

Four new regions joined Russia: Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions

76