According to the VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey data, the “Crimea is ours-2014” rush that started three years ago when the historic reunification took place turned into conscious conviction: the decision was right.
MOSCOW, March 16, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the third anniversary of Crimea’s reunification with Russia.
An absolute majority of Russians (97%) think that Crimea is part of Russia. Before announcing the referendum results and Crimea’s incorporation into Russia three years ago, 89% of Russians shared his statement.
The confidence that the incorporation of the peninsula into Russia did more good than harm to Russia is high today (78%, according to the omnibus survey data). Negative effects are mentioned by 13% of respondents (24% among those aged 18-24; 20% of residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg). The share of Russians who point to positive effects for Crimeans is even higher (89% which is a two-year high).
At the same time, Crimea and Sevastopol are not regarded as beneficiary regions: 84% of Russians say that they need to receive financial assistance to the same extent as any other Russian territorial entity (63% thought so in 2014). The share of respondents who say the financial aid should be extended has decreased by half: from 23% in April 2014 to 10% in 2017.
According to the Medialogia company analysis, a total number of 4137009 publications devoted to the Crimea topic were found in the Russian media from 2014 to 2016. The most visible headlines in 2014 were “Crimea status referendum”, “Vladimir Putin signed executive order on recognizing the Republic of Crimea”, “Federation Council approved the incorporation of Crimea into Russia”; in 2015 “Crimea’s blackout”, “Putin launched the first strand of the energy bridge to Crimea”; in 2016 “Federal Security Service reported the detention of Ukrainian diversionists in Crimea”, “Amsterdam court refused to return the Scythian gold to Crimean museums and ruled to return it to Ukraine”, and “Floating crane sank near Crimea”.
The VCIOM-Sputnik initiative all-Russian survey was conducted on March 2-3, 2017, among 1200 respondents, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. 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 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The telephone survey in 2016 was conducted among 1600 respondents using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 2014-2015, household surveys were carried out.
The Russian mass media analysis and monitoring of publication were carried out by the Medialogia Company using the Medialogia database including 39100 sources such as television, radio, newspaper, information agencies and online media. The period of study took place from 2014 to 2016. The ratings were based on the Medialogia event visibility metric defined as the “sum” of event mentions on certain topic in the most influential media.
Do you agree/disagree that Crimea is Russian? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| III.2014 * | III.2016 | III.2017 |
Yes, I agree | 89 | 96 | 97 |
No, I disagree | 7 | 3 | 2 |
Don’t know | 4 | 1 | 1 |
*The survey was carried out before the results of the Crimean status referendum were revealed.
In your opinion, has the incorporation of Crimea into the Russian territory done more good or more harm to Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| VI.2014 | II.2015 | III.2016 | III.2017 |
Likely more good | 75 | 69 | 60 | 78 |
Likely more harm | 9 | 14 | 22 | 13 |
Don’t know | 16 | 17 | 18 | 9 |
In your opinion, has the incorporation of Crimea into the Russian territory done more good or more harm to the residents of Crimea? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| II.2015 | III.2016 | III.2017 |
Likely more good | 80 | 79 | 89 |
Likely more harm | 9 | 7 | 5 |
Don’t know | 11 | 14 | 6 |
Today the majority of Russian regions receive financial aid from the federal budget; however its amount is different. Which of the following opinions do you share? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| IV.2014 | II.2015 | III.2016 | III.2017 |
Crimea and Sevastopol should receive more financial aid from the federal budget than any other Russian region | 23 | 15 | 11 | 10 |
Crimea and Sevastopol should receive the same amount of financial aid from the federal budget that other regions with similar social and demographic characteristics receive | 63 | 74 | 78 | 84 |
Crimea and Sevastopol should not receive financial aid from the federal budget | 8 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Don’t know | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory! The use of the Medialogia system content, fully or partially, must be accompanied by the reference to the Medialogia Company.