MOSCOW, 4 May 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study on the consolidation of the Russian society.
Russian society amidst external threats
More than half of Russians say that Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine is likely to have consolidated the Russian society (61%). Twenty percent of respondents oppose this stance. Ten percent believe that the special military operation has not had any effects on the society; 9% are undecided.
Russia’s multi-ethnicity makes the country stronger, according to 70% of Russians; 4% think it weakens Russia. Every fifth considers that multi-ethnicity does not have any impact on the country (21%).
Most of Russians have positive emotions about their country: half of them experience pride for Russia (50%); 43% express love for Russia, 38%, belief in Russia, 29%, hope. Negative emotions are as follows: worries for Russia (23%); disappointment in Russia (5%). One percent of the surveyed Russians feel indifference.
A majority of Russians believe that Russia should live according to its own riles, not looking up to the Western countries (89%). Three percent of respondents think that Russia should follow the rules of the Western countries at the expense of its own interests. Eight percent remain undecided.
Eighty-one percent of respondents support consolidation around the Russian president against the background of the Western economic and humanitarian sanctions; 12% think there is no need to reunite; 7% are undecided.
Russia and the West: values, threats, models of societal development
Russians were asked to give an assessment of various aspects of the Russia-West relations on a 1 to 10 scale. Differences between the Russian and the Western values are considerable, with an average score being 7.97 (1 – “not at all different”; 10 – “very different”).
Russians believe that the Western model of society cannot be applied to the Russian society (3.02 scores, with 1 being “definitely no” and 10 being “definitely yes”).
Respondents consider the Russian society to be more fair (7.17 scores, with 1 being “definitely Western”, and 10 – “definitely Russian”); the Western countries are considered unfriendly by respondents (3.26 scores, with 1 being “absolutely unfriendly” and 10 being “very friendly”).
Russians are divided in their opinions on the cultural and military threat coming from the Western countries (5.36 and 5.43, respectively).
Respondents are largely positive in their assessment of the impacts of the Western sanctions: Russians believe that the sanctions will restore the health of the Russian economy rather than damage it (4.18 scores, with 1 being “restore the health of the Russian economy” and 10 being “damage”).
Russian nationwide telephone survey was conducted on April 28, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified 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.
Russian nationwide VCIOM online survey was conducted on April 19-20, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Online survey was conducted with probability-based panel. Respondents selected from stratified random sample based on probability panel were asked to complete an online questionnaire. The probability panel participants are recruited from “Sputnik” CATI national survey conducted on a daily basis; the survey is based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers from a full list of telephone numbers in service in Russia.
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.
- Russian nationwide telephone survey
There are different opinions on the impacts of the Russia’s military operation in Ukraine on the Russian society, the relationship between people. Which opinion is closer to yours? The military operation in Ukraine … (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
…is likely to have united, consolidated the Russian society | 61 |
…is likely to have split, disconnected the Russian society | 20 |
…has had no impact on the Russian society | 10 |
Don’t know | 9 |
In your opinion, does the fact that Russia is a multi-ethnic country make Russia stronger or weaker, or does it have no influence on the situation? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
| |
| Total respondents |
Likely stronger | 70 |
Likely weaker | 4 |
No influence | 21 |
Don’t know | 5 |
What emotions do you experience when you think about Russia? (% of respondents, closed-ended question, any number of answers) | |
| Total respondents |
Pride for Russia | 50 |
Love for Russia | 43 |
Belief in Russia | 38 |
Hopes for Russia | 29 |
Worries for Russia | 23 |
Disappointment in Russia | 5 |
Feeling ashamed for Russia | 4 |
Irritation | 2 |
Indifference | 1 |
Other | 6 |
Don’t know | 2 |
Now I will read you several statements. Which ones do you agree with the most? What rules should Russia follow? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
| |
| Total respondents |
Russia should follow its own rules, not looking up to the Western countries | 89 |
Russia should follow the rules of the Western countries, even if Russia has to make certain concessions | 3 |
Don’t know | 8 |
Some people believe that against the background of the Western economic and humanitarian sanctions against Russia it is important for the Russian people to reunite around the Russian president and support him even if there is some disagreement. Others consider that there is no need to reunite around the president and support him. What is your opinion on that? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
People should reunite around Putin | 81 |
No need to reunite around the president | 12 |
Don’t know | 7 |
- Russian nationwide VCIOM online survey
Question | Average score |
In your opinion, how different are the Russian values and the Western values? (% of respondents, on a 1-10 scale with 1 being “not at all different” and 10 “very different”) | 7.97 |
In your opinion, is the Western society an appropriate model of social structure when applied to Russia, or not? (% of respondents, on a 1-10 scale with 1 being “definitely no” and 10 being “definitely yes”) | 3.02 |
In your opinion, which society is more fair today – the Russian or the Western one? (% of respondents, on a 1-10 scale with 1 being “definitely Western” and 10 being “definitely Russian”) | 7.17 |
In your opinion, how friendly are the Western countries towards Russia in general? (% of respondents, on a 1-10 scale with 1 being “absolutely unfriendly» and 10 being “very friendly”) | 3.26
|
In your opinion, does the culture of the Western countries pose any threat to the Russian culture and Russian values, or not? (% of respondents, on a 1-10 scale with 1 being “does not pose any threat” and 10 being “definitely poses a threat”) | 5.36 |
In your opinion, is there any threat of the military attack on Russia from the Western countries? (% of respondents, on a 1-10 scale with 1 being “no threat at all” and 10 being “a strong threat”) |
5.43 |
In your opinion, will the Western economic sanctions against Russia restore the health of the Russian economy or damage it? (% of respondents, on a 1-10 scale with 1 being “restore the health of the Russian economy” and 10 being “damage it”) | 4.18 |