The level of attention to Ukrainian events has not changed for three months; about half of Russians follow the events. The level of support for the actions of the Russian armed forces has increased slightly. The highest level of support is demonstrated by older respondents who trust television and those who approve of the president’s activities. More than half of the respondents believe that the Special Military Operation is progressing successfully. At the same time, the number of supporters of peace negotiation has slightly increased over the past month (up to 55%). Respondents name as the main reason for starting the Special Military Operation “to protect the residents of Donbass”. The majority are confident that hostilities will continue for at least another six months (almost half say more than a year). If respondents had the opportunity to go back in time and influence the decision to start a Special Military Operation, then 41% would cancel such a decision, and 43% would support it. The majority are ready to support V. Putin if he announces the end of hostilities, but on the condition that new territories are preserved.
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Consumer sentiment in October 2023
Consumer sentiment improved slightly in October 2023. The increase in confidence is noticeable in all socio-demographic groups, however, this did not affect the willingness to make large purchases.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict: October 2023
The majority of Russians are aware of the new round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, about a third are closely following what is happening. The majority of respondents do not support either side of the conflict. At the same time, Palestinians are sympathized with more often than Israel, although even 14-15 years ago, sympathies were distributed approximately equally. The respondents, as before, lay the main responsibility for instability in the Middle East mainly on the United States and its allies.
Protest moods: September 2023
In September, the protest potential has practically not changed compared to this summer and remains at a fairly low level. The greatest willingness to participate in protests with economic and political demands is expressed by low-income citizens and those who do not approve of the president’s activities or believe that the country is moving on the wrong path. About half of the respondents believe that the authorities should not restrict the freedom of speech of those who oppose the Special Military Operation. Most often, those who disapprove of the president’s activities and those who believe that the country is moving on the wrong path agree with this opinion. Most of the respondents are neutral about the people who went out to anti-war protests.
Savings behavior in September 2023
The savings behavior and attitudes of Russians have hardly changed in recent months. In the context of increased inflationary pressure, the number of Russians who consider the current time favorable for making savings has decreased somewhat. This could also provoke a decrease in interest in ruble assets. At the same time, these factors have a limited impact.
Nagorno-Karabakh and the attitude towards countries against the background of the conflict: September 2023
There is a high awareness of Russians about the military conflict in Nagorno–Karabakh – 81% have at least heard something about it, every fifth respondent followed the events closely. Respondents blame the USA and NATO countries (41%) for the resumption of the conflict, to a lesser extent Azerbaijan (15%) and Armenia (11%). Over the 7 years of the conflict, sympathy for the Azerbaijani side has doubled – 10%, while sympathy for the Armenian side, on the contrary, has decreased by about half (8%). At the same time, three-quarters of respondents do not support any of the parties to the conflict at all. More than half of Russians support the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh, their number has not changed significantly since the last measurement in 2020. More than half of Russians have a positive attitude towards Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Conflict with Ukraine: Assessments for September 2023
In September 2023, less than half of the respondents closely followed the events in Ukraine. The ideas about what is happening are quite stable. The level of support for the actions of the Russian armed forces remains high(72%). Just like last month, there are slightly more supporters of the start of negotiations than there are supporters of the continuation of hostilities. The military actions in Ukraine at the same time cause Russians to be proud of Russia, as well as anxiety and fear. There is a high level of concern about the shelling of Russian territories – 91%, the supply of weapons to Ukraine by Western countries – 79%, the counteroffensive of Ukrainian troops – 62%. More than half of the respondents fear that a general mobilization may be announced.
Conflict with Ukraine: Assesments for late August 2023
In August, attention to Ukrainian events slightly decreased: less than half of the respondents closely monitor them. The level of support for the actions of the Russian armed forces remains high. Just like last month, there are slightly more supporters of the start of negotiations than there are supporters of the continuation of hostilities. However, most Russians are not ready to make concessions to Ukraine for the sake of ending the military operation and concluding a peace agreement.
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.
Public perception of Western sanctions: June 2023
Concern about Western sanctions remains at a low level. As before, people of low income and older ages who feel the vulnerability of their economic situation are more concerned about sanctions. Among the consequences of sanctions restrictions, respondents are most concerned about the freezing of Russian assets abroad, the cancellation of cultural events with the participation of Russian artists and the departure of a number of Western companies from the Russian Federation. The majority of respondents note that the sanctions have not created problems for them and their families, and also believe that Russia should continue its policy despite the sanctions.