Institutional Trust: September 2023

Since the previous survey last year, trust in most public institutions has grown slightly. However, the changes in most positions are insignificant. The greatest increase in institutional trust was observed last year as a result of the general consolidation of public opinion against the background of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The president, the army, the state security agencies, the government and the church enjoy the greatest confidence, as they did last year. Big business, trade unions and political parties are the least trusted, but trust in these institutions is reaching its maximum values today since the beginning of measurements.

Army: partial mobilization, electronic army draft, compensations to the participants of the Special Military Operation and conscription service

The majority of respondents believe that a new wave of mobilization will be announced in the next 3 months. More than half of the respondents are not ready to pay an additional 1-2 thousand rubles for army maintenance. Half support raising the upper threshold of military age. Most of the respondents are aware of the changes in the law on military service, the prevailing feelings in this regard are negative.

Russian Army

The majority of respondents believe that “every real man should serve in the army.” The share of Russians who hold this opinion has decreased from 60% to 49% in three years. About half believe that the army should be formed both by contract and by conscription. At the same time, the share of those who support a full transition to the contract system has increased.

Conflict with Ukraine: November 2022

In November, respondents’ attention and concern about the Ukrainian events decreased. Support for the Russian Armed Forces remains high. At the same time, about half of the respondents would like to start peace negotiations. The relative majority believes that the “special operation” is progressing successfully. However, confidence continues to grow that it will last from six months or longer.

Participation of PMCs in the Ukrainian conflict

Two-thirds of respondents have heard about the participation of PMCs in Ukrainian military operations on the side of Russia. Respondents mostly support the use of such combat units.

Military conscription

61% of Russians believe that every “real man” should serve in the army. This point of view is most popular in all age groups except the youngest – they are more likely to have a point of view about service as a duty to the state. Half of Russians (48%) believe that Russia needs a partially contracted and partially conscripted army, a third (34%) – only a contract one. The absolute majority of Russians are confident that the army will be able to protect the country in case of a real threat.

The Role of Institutions

This survey was carried out January 23–29, 2020 with a representative sample of all Russian urban and rural residents. The sample comprised 1603 people age 18 or older from 137 localities in 50 regions of the Russian Federation. The survey was conducted as a personal interview in respondents’ homes. The answer distribution is presented as […]

MILITARY POWER

This survey was carried out May 24–29, 2019 with a representative sample of all Russian urban and rural residents. The sample comprised 1616 people age 18 or older from 137 localities in 50 regions of the Russian Federation. The survey was conducted as a personal interview in respondents’ homes. The answer distribution is presented as […]

“POISONING THE SKRIPALS”

This survey took place between October 18–24, 2018 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 136 localities of 52 of the country’s regions. The survey was conducted as a personal interview in respondents’ homes. The […]

THE TORTURE AND ABUSE OF INMATES AT THE PENAL COLONY

This survey took place between October 18–24, 2018 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 136 localities of 52 of the country’s regions. The survey was conducted as a personal interview in respondents’ homes. The […]

1 2