Support for war against Ukraine has increased further in Russia, say sociologists

OLENA ROSHCHINA - WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH 2022, 15:21

Support for Russia's war against Ukraine continues to grow among Russians, while protest potential is declining, according to Russian sociologists. 

Source: All-Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM) as of 17 March

Details: The decision to conduct a "special military operation" by Russia in Ukraine is most likely supported by 74% of Russian citizens. The share of supporters has increased by 9 percentage points compared to 25 February.

17% are somewhat not in favour of the operation (8 percentage points less than on 25 February). 

Another 9% found it difficult to answer.

The Russians' view of the purpose of the "special operation" has not changed over the past two weeks. 

46% of respondents believe that the aim is to protect Russia, disarm Ukraine and prevent the deployment of NATO military bases on its territory.

19% believe that Putin's goal is to change Ukraine's political course, "to cleanse it of Nazis". 

17% of respondents declare that the purpose of the war is to protect the population of Donbas. 

5% of respondents named the occupation of Ukraine and its annexation into Russia as Putin's goal.

At the same time, 61% of Russians believe that the Russian government will be able to reduce the negative consequences of the sanctions, while 24% believe that it cannot, and another 15% found it difficult to answer.

10% of respondents are ready to take part in mass protests, while 85% do not intend to do so. In January this year, 17% of respondents said they were ready to take part in protests. 

18% of Russians concede that mass protests are currently possible in or near their place of residence, while 75% believe that mass protests are unlikely.

From Ukrainska Pravda: VTsIOM does not provide any details of the poll or an infographic on its results.

On 18 March, Radio Svoboda reported that, according to two polls by a group of independent Russian sociologists, 71% of Russians support the war with Ukraine.

Russian authorities repress protests and detain those who dare to express disagreement with the war which Russia has launched in Ukraine.