MOSCOW, February 13, 2009. Russians Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents results of its latest study on how Russians evaluate the situation in Afghanistan 20 years later: should we have entered soviet troops, what is the result of the USSR participation in hostilities, and from which sources do Russians know about this war?

20 years after Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan almost half of Russians (47%) think that this was a political gamble which Soviet authorities irresponsibly dragged the country into; in 1999 more than half of Russians thought so (57%). Those who often express this point of view are "Fair Russia" supporters and democrats (53% and 56% respectively), as well as Russians aged 45-59. 18% of Russians consider that the presence of Soviet troops in Afghanistan was not necessary to protect the USSR geopolitical interests; those who tend to think so are mostly democrats (28%), CPRF and "Fair Russia" adherents (25% for each). Respondents aged 25-59 share this stance (19%).  The share of those who think Soviet troops fulfilled their international duties is slightly less (16%) (this share has increased from 12% in recent 10 years). The share of democrats` supporters who think so is decreased by third compared to those who back the other parties (6% against 16-18%). Respondents aged 60 and above more often then others share this view (20% against 13-16% in other age groups). 19% were undecided.  

Most of Russians know about the war in Afghanistan through reading (41%); the part of such respondents has decreased from 48% over 20 years. Those who told so were mainly respondents aged 18-24 and 35-44 (44-45%), as well as Russians with higher or incomplete higher education (46%). Since 1989 the share of those who heard about this war from the witnesses has declined from 46% to 36%. The majority of such respondents is those aged above 45 (40-41%) and Russians with elementary and incomplete secondary education (44%). On the contrary, the share of those who know little about this war has tripled over recent twenty years - from 4% to 12%. Most of them are 18-24-year-old respondents (28%) and Russians with secondary or lower education (15%). 5% witnessed or experienced this war.

More than half of Russians (58%) are confident that "there was no need to send troops in Afghanistan".  This view is shared by democrats` supporters (78%) and those aged 35-59 (63-66%). Russians who think so are also those with secondary special education, higher or incomplete higher education (61-63%). Every fifth (20%) state that there was need for Soviet troops presence in Afghanistan; they are mostly CPRF adherents (29%), respondents aged 60 and above (25%), and Russians with elementary or incomplete secondary education (24%).  Nevertheless, 22% remained undecided.

Less than a quarter of Russians (23%) think that Soviet troops won. Those who tend to think so are mostly rural area citizens (31%) and Russians with elementary and incomplete secondary education (28%). Meanwhile, 44% of Russians are sure that Soviet troops lost this war; those who express this opinion are often both capitals` citizens (61%) and Russians holding higher or incomplete higher education (50%). Every third (33%) were undecided.  

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on February 7-8, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. 1571 respondents from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic were interviewed in 1989; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 sampling points in 43 regions of Russia in 1999.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

* Data for RSFSR

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,

 the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!