20 August 2021. VCIOM presents the findings of a survey among Russians devoted to Taliban, an organization banned in Russia.
Russians were asked to briefly describe the Taliban, a movement banned in Russia: 24% consider it as a terrorist organization; 15% think it is a group advocating religious radicalism; 8% call Taliban gangsters and criminals; 6% noted that the organization is banned in Russia. Four percent of Russians (for each group) consider the Taliban members as bad persons and think that they are seeking to seize power.
An overwhelming majority Russians (83%) are aware that the Taliban militants have recently seized power in Afghanistan and announced their plans to restore the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan; 17% have not heard about that.
Two-thirds of Russians (66%) are keeping track of the Afghan conflict; at the same time, 19% are keeping track of the developments very closely (31% of those aged 60+), and 47% do it occasionally (51-55% of older Russians). Thirty-four percent of Russians show no interest in the conflict.
More than half of Russians (60%) consider that Russia should support neither the Afghanistan's overthrown government nor the new government headed by the Taliban. Twelve percent of respondents believe that Russia should support the overthrown government; 4%, the new government headed by the Taliban.
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on August 19, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Mass media have been reporting on the Taliban. How would you briefly describe what the Taliban is? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of respondents, responses of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Terrorists / terrorist organization | 24 |
Muslim organization / mujahideen / advocating religious radicalism / religious bigots / extremist Muslim organization | 15 |
Gangsters, criminals / violent people / aggressive organization | 8 |
Banned group / organization banned in Russia | 6 |
Bad, wicked persons / negative attitudes | 4 |
They are fighting for their country / they want to seize power / to establish their own state in the state | 4 |
Terrible organization / they strike terror / they pose a danger / they threaten people’s life | 3 |
They seized power in Afghanistan | 3 |
Military organization / guerrilla warriors / gunmen | 2 |
Russia’s enemies / They fought against the Soviet troops / they are aggressive towards Russia | 2 |
They kill people / evil people / killers | 2 |
Other | 12 |
Don’t know / Hard to say | 31 |
Do you know/have you heard/do you hear for the first time that the Taliban has recently seized power in Afghanistan and announced plans to restore the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan? | |
| Total respondents |
I know, I have heard | 83 |
This is the first time I hear about it | 17 |
Don’t know | 0 |
Are you keeping track of the conflict in Afghanistan, or not? | ||||||
| Total respondents | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60+ |
I am keeping track of the situation very closely | 19 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 31 |
I keep track from time to time | 47 | 39 | 35 | 47 | 55 | 51 |
No, I don’t | 34 | 51 | 52 | 41 | 27 | 18 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In your opinion, what stance should Russia take: to support the Afghanistan’s overthrown government, to support the new government headed by the Taliban or not to support either parties? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
To support the Afghanistan’s overthrown government | 12 |
To support the new government headed by the Taliban | 4 |
To support neither of the parties | 60 |
Don’t know | 24 |