Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

The St Petersburg metro explosion drew a wide response among Russians but it did not lead to panic, according to VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus surveys.

MOSCOW, April 13, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the public assessments of the St. Petersburg metro terrorist attack.

The tragedy that took place in the St Petersburg’s metro on April 3 drew a wide response among the public: 98% of Russians heard about the blast that killed people. About a third of Russians (30%) believe that the attack was organized by the ISIL; 12% blame terrorists/militants.  

Approximately half of respondents (52%) suppose that the terrorist attack could have been predicted; they are opposed by 40%.

According to 60% of Russians, the threat of international terrorism has escalated over the recent years (17% say it has weakened). The Index of Fear of Being a Terrorism Victim amounts to 51 p. today (in summer 2016, after the Nice terrorist attack, it was almost the same (49 p.)). Over the entire period of measurement the index did not go beyond 37-55 p. (in the 10-90 range). Seventy-eight per cent of respondents express fears of being a terrorist attack victim.

At the same time, the public confidence in the authorities’ capabilities to protect people against terrorist attacks in the future has considerably increased (from 38 to 52 p.; with a minimum of -100 and a maximum of 100), compared to the previous year assessments. The VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey data suggest that three-quarters of Russians (75%) consider that the authorities are not capable of protecting them against new terrorist attacks. Respondents say that security measures should be toughened (26%) and public vigilance should be increased (15%) to reduce the terrorist threat.

*Index of Fear of Being a Terrorism Victim. The Index is based on the question “Are you afraid that you/your relatives may become victims of terrorist attacks?” Coefficients from 0.9 to 0.1 are assigned to answers. The Index is measured in points and can vary between 10 and 90. The higher the value of Index is, the higher is respondents’ fear of being victims of terrorist attack is.

**Index shows respondents’ subjective assessments regarding the authorities’ capabilities to protect them against terror attacks. The indicator is calculated as the difference of positive and negative answers to the question “In your opinion, will the Russian authorities be capable of protecting the population against new terrorist attacks?” The Index is measured in points and can vary between -100 and 100. The higher the value of Index is, the higher the confidence in protection is.  

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on April 7-9, 2017, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1800 respondents. Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. 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.

The results for the 2000-2016 surveys are based on household interviews.

On Monday, an explosion in the St Petersburg’s metro took place; 14 persons were killed and 40 injured. Did you personally hear about that? (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents 

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Yes, I am well aware of that

71

48

59

71

77

82

I heard something but I do not know any details

27

45

39

27

22

17

This is the first time I hear about that

2

7

2

2

1

1

If this was a terrorist attack, who organized this attack in St Petersburg, in your opinion?
 (open-ended question, not more than two answers, answers of at least 1% of respondents)

 

Total respondents 

ISIL / Islamic state

30

Militants / terrorists

12

USA

3

Ukraine

2

Persons of Caucasus/Central Asia descent

2

Syria

2

Russian government

2

Migrants

1

Non-Russians

1

Sick people, zealots

1

Foreign countries

1

Those dissatisfied with authorities; those who try to undermine stability

1

Al-Qaeda

1

Other

10

Don’t know

39

In your opinion, could that terrorist attack have been predicted, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

IV.2010 *

XI.2013 **

I.2014 ***

VII.2016 ****

IV.2017

Yes, the terrorist attack could have been predicted

54

41

45

56

52

No, no one can protect against terrorism

33

49

44

25

40

Don’t know

13

10

11

19

8

* In April 2010, the question referred to Moscow terrorist attacks.
** In November 2013, the question referred to the bus blast in Volgograd.
*** In January 2014, the question was asked after the Volgograd attack.
**** In July 2016, the question was asked after the Nice terrorist attack.

In your opinion, has the threat of international terrorism reduced or escalated  over the recent five years
 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

2009

2010

2011

2017

Considerably escalated

9

9

9

32

Slightly escalated

19

28

25

28

Stayed at the same level

40

37

46

20

Slightly reduced  

19

17

13

12

Considerably reduced 

2

2

1

5

Don’t know

11

7

6

3

Are you afraid that you/your relatives may become victims of terrorist attacks?
(closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

00

01

06

07

09

IV.10

IX.10

II.11

IX.11

12

13

I.14

IX.14

X.15

XI.15

VII.16

IV.17

Extremely afraid  

27

26

25

17

17

31

27

36

16

22

21

28

14

19

31

29

27

Somewhat afraid  

51

52

52

54

44

51

49

44

56

48

50

49

44

46

41

43

51

I am confident that nothing will happen to me/my relatives

10

12

8

10

13

9

13

10

13

14

11

8

18

16

15

13

9

I did not think over it  

10

8

13

16

24

8

10

9

13

16

18

14

22

19

12

14

11

Don’t know

2

2

2

3

2

1

1

1

2

0

0

1

2

0

1

1

2

Index of Fear of Being a Terrorism Victim*

51

51

49

43

39

54

50

55

44

45

45

50

37

41

50

49

51

In your opinion, will the Russian authorities be capable of protecting the population against new terrorist attacks?
(closed-ended question, one answer per each line, %)

 

 

Definitely yes

Rather yes

Rather no

Definitely no

Don’t know

Index**

 2002

3

17

46

28

6

-54

2003

6

26

42

20

6

-30

II.2004

4

18

50

24

4

-52

IX.2004

6

22

43

22

7

-37

2005

9

21

38

27

5

-35

2006

7

33

39

12

9

-11

 2007

6

37

36

10

11

-3

2008

16

50

19

2

13

45

2009

8

41

28

9

14

12

IV.2010

6

30

36

10

18

-10

IX.2010

5

32

38

15

10

-16

II.2011

3

17

44

25

11

-49

IX.2011

3

29

41

16

11

-25

IX.2012

8

42

32

11

7

7

VIII.2013

11

44

30

8

7

16

ХI.2013

7

26

42

16

9

-24

I.2014

4

25

47

16

8

-34

IX.2014

16

52

20

3

9

45

X.2015

32

45

12

6

5

59

XI.2015

21

43

20

9

7

35

VII.2016

21

45

21

7

6

38

IV.2017

23

52

16

7

2

52

In your opinion, what should the Russian authorities do to reduce the terrorist threat?
 (open-ended question, any number of answers, %)

 

Total respondents 

To toughen security measures (Federal Security service performance/checks)  

26

To increase public vigilance

15

Personnel policy/ security officers’ retraining /stricter control over the work

10

To toughen migration policies/ to educate those who enter the country

9

To raise  counterterrorism awareness

5

Legislation changes/ internal policies

5

To mobilize forces/program elaboration

4

Everyone’s business/civic awareness

4

To strengthen the borders/stricter control at customs control

4

To enhance security (introduction of new technologies)

3

To fight against terrorism

3

Nothing; everything works

2

Deportation

2

Awareness-raising work among youth

1

To inform the population

1

To stop military operations in Syria  

1

To restore international relations

1

To toughen punishment measures/to lift the moratorium on the death penalty

1

To fight against corruption

1

To organize leisure activities

0

Other

1

Don’t know

25

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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Topics:
Terrorism