Over the past month, there have been no significant changes in the attitude of Russians to the “special operation”. The majority of respondents remain concerned about the events in Ukraine, and also support the actions of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine. Support and concern among young people is lower than in the country as a whole. Confidence that the “special operation” will last from six months or longer keeps on growing.
Publications
Events
In April and May, respondents most often mentioned events related to the “special military operation”, but the proportion of such responses is gradually decreasing: if in March 75% of respondents remembered it, in April – 63%, then in May – 42%.
In addition, in April, respondents noted events related to sanctions and price increases (10%), as well as the death of V. Zhirinovsky (8%). In May, respondents, in addition to the “special operation”, more often mentioned events related to Victory Day and May holidays (7%), price increases (4%) and Western sanctions (4%).
Pioneers
Most Russians believe that children’s organizations like the pioneers are needed. This opinion is quite stable. According to its supporters, such an organization could educate children, protect them from bad habits, instill patriotism. Opponents of such an organization see it as a relic of the past, a way of imposing ideology.
Approval of institutions, ratings of parties and politicians
In June, the level of government approval did not change significantly. The electoral ratings of other political parties have barely changed. The level of trust in Vladimir Putin decreased in June compared to May.
Moscow Politics
Compared to April 2021, the attitude of Muscovites to the city authorities has improved. The perception of city and municipal deputies has improved slightly. Among the parties that Muscovites would vote for in the State Duma elections, United Russia, the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party are leading. The attitude of Muscovites to the president has noticeably improved.
Sanctions
In May, Russians’ concern about Western sanctions against Russia decreased. The first shock of the sanctions has passed. Among the various restrictions, respondents are most concerned about the freezing of Russian assets abroad, although young people are more concerned about restrictions on Visa and Mastercard and the departure of Western brands. Respondents consider the price increase to be the main consequence of sanctions. At the same time, three-quarters of respondents believe that Russia should continue its policy despite the sanctions.
Russia and NATO
Most Russians have a negative attitude towards NATO. The prevailing opinion is that new countries joining NATO poses a threat to Russia. About half of the respondents admit that the conflict in Ukraine may escalate into a clash between Russia and the North Atlantic Alliance. A third of respondents admit that in the event of a conflict with the West, Vladimir Putin may give the order to use nuclear weapons first.
Russian-American relations
In March 2022, the Levada Center and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs research organization conducted a joint study of the public opinion of Russians and Americans about Russian-American relations and the most pressing topics on the international agenda. The study showed an increase in negative attitudes towards the United States among Russians, a decrease in willingness to cooperate – and at the same time increased fears associated with a possible conflict.
Participation in surveys and trust in data
Compared to 2020, the willingness to participate in surveys has not changed at the moment. Respondents are still more willing to take part in a personal interview (rather than a phone survey). The level of confidence in the survey results remained at the same level: about half of the respondents (54%) trust the data.
Internet, social networks and blocking
Television, social networks and online media are the main sources of information. In the wake of the “special operation”, trust in television has grown, while trust in internet sources has sunk. The banned social networks keep losing users. There is no unambiguous opinion on blocking and restrictions on the Internet in the society: Russians are rather against it, while more than half of respondents aren’t against Internet censorship as such.