This survey took place between 23 and 26 October 2015 and was conducted throughout all of Russia in both urban and rural settings. The survey was carried out among 1600 people over the age of 18 in 134 localities of 46 of the country’s regions. The answer distribution is presented as percentages of the number of participants along with data from previous surveys. The statistical error of these studies does not exceed 3.4%.
AS WE KNOW, IN THE PAST, RUSSIA HAS FOUND ITSELF IN CONFLICTS WITH A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS IS CLOSEST TO YOUR PERSONAL VIEWS? (one answer)
|
|
May.98 |
Mar.14 |
Oct.15 |
|
Russia has never been the aggressor or initiator of a conflict with other countries |
37 |
55 |
59 |
|
In the majority of cases, Russia has been the victim, innocent party in conflicts |
29 |
27 |
26 |
|
In the majority of cases, Russia has been the aggressor, guilty party in conflicts with other countries |
16 |
5 |
5 |
|
Russia has always been the aggressor, guilty party in conflicts with other countries |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Other |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
It is difficult to say |
15 |
11 |
7 |
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HEED THE WEST’S CRITICISM OF RUSSIA?
|
|
Feb.07 |
Mar.10 |
Feb.12 |
Dec.14 |
Oct.15 |
|
Yes |
46 |
42 |
38 |
27 |
29 |
|
No |
38 |
45 |
50 |
57 |
62 |
|
It is difficult to say |
16 |
12 |
12 |
16 |
10 |
WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO HEED THE WEST’S CRITICISM? (as a percentage of those respondents who consider that Russia does not need to heed the West’s criticism; several answers possible)
|
|
Feb.07 |
Mar.10 |
Feb.12 |
Dec.14 |
окт.15 |
|
The West views Russia as a competitor and strives to weaken it |
39 |
35 |
40 |
40 |
37 |
|
The West feels negatively about Russia, its criticism is hostile |
24 |
22 |
26 |
43 |
34 |
|
The West doesn’t understand our life yet wants to instruct us |
38 |
36 |
29 |
27 |
28 |
|
Western critics frequently criticize what they themselves also do (“double standard”) |
22 |
14 |
17 |
22 |
25 |
|
It is difficult to say |
4 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE OPINION THAT THE WEST IS CURRENTLY PURSUING A HOSTILE POLICY IN RELATION TO RUSSIA?
|
|
Dec.14 |
Oct.15 |
|
Definitely agree |
53 |
32 |
|
Probably agree |
34 |
50 |
|
Probably disagree |
6 |
10 |
|
Definitely disagree |
2 |
2 |
|
It is difficult to say |
7 |
6 |
IN YOUR OPINION, HOW IS THE WEST’S HOSTILE POLICY TOWARDS RUSSIA MANIFESTED? (as a percentage of those respondents who believe that the West is hostile to Russia; multiple answers possible)
|
|
Dec.14 |
Oct.15 |
|
Sanctions against Russia’s economy and business |
51 |
55 |
|
Information war against Russia |
42 |
44 |
|
Attempt to control Russia’s economy and natural wealth |
40 |
35 |
|
Sanctions against the country’s leadership |
30 |
32 |
|
Pushing Russia out of the post-Soviet space, establishing control over former republics of the USSR and former socialist countries |
31 |
31 |
|
Attempt to replace Putin’s regime with a more convenient one |
31 |
27 |
|
Attempt to force foreign values, culture, mentality, and morals on the Russian people |
25 |
26 |
|
Support of opposition and independent social organizations critical of Putin |
12 |
21 |
|
Preparation for large-scale war to repartition the globe, deployment of military bases close to Russian border |
23 |
20 |
|
Other |
<1 |
<1 |
|
It is difficult to answer |
1 |
2 |
WHY DO YOU THINK THE WEST IS PURSUING A HOSTILE POLICY IN RELATION TO RUSSIA? (as a percentage of those respondents who believe that the West in hostile to Russia; several answers possible)
|
|
Dec.14 |
Oct.15 |
|
The West fears Russia, its military power |
43 |
47 |
|
The West is striving to get its hands on Russia’s natural wealth |
46 |
41 |
|
The West and Russia have always been irreconcilable opponents with differences in religion, morals, and culture which are too great |
30 |
25 |
|
Western countries envy Russia |
24 |
23 |
|
Other |
1 |
<1 |
|
It is difficult to answer |
2 |
3 |
WHAT BEST EXPLAINS THE WEST’S REACTION TO EVENTS IN CRIMEA AND EASTERN UKRAINE?
|
|
Mar.14 |
Aug.14 |
Dec.14 |
Oct.15 |
|
Hostility towards Russia, attempt to take advantage of the moment to put pressure on Russia |
58 |
58 |
67 |
49 |
|
Misunderstanding of the real situation in Ukraine |
20 |
18 |
12 |
26 |
|
Condemnation of Russia’s annexation of foreign territory, violation of international law |
13 |
13 |
12 |
17 |
|
It is difficult to answer |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
WHAT, MOST OF ALL, DO YOU THINK, THE WEST HOPES TO ACHIEVE BY STRENGTHENING ITS SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA?
|
|
Sept.14 |
Dec.14 |
Jun.15 |
Oct.15 |
|
Weakening and degradation of Russia |
71 |
72 |
66 |
69 |
|
Restoration of geopolitical balance disturbed by Russia’s annexation of Crimea |
18 |
14 |
21 |
17 |
|
Prevention of war, destruction, and death in Eastern Ukraine |
4 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
|
It is difficult to say |
8 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD RUSSIAN MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN COVERT OPERATIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES?
|
|
Oct.15 |
|
Completely positive |
14 |
|
Probably positive |
33 |
|
Probably negative |
21 |
|
Very negative |
8 |
|
It is difficult to say |
24 |
Translated by Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (formerly Monterey Institute of International Studies).