March 11, 2021. Below are the results of a survey describing the Russian attitudes to the Crimea’s incorporation and its consequences for Russia.
The basic feeling Russians have about the incorporation of Crimea and Sevastopol into Russia is pride (48%). Many respondents also point out admiration (15%). Only 7% express negative emotions such as condemnation (4%) and disappointment (3%). Twenty-seven percent of Russians say they have no emotions.
Most of Russians assess the Crimea’s incorporation into Russia in a positive way (81%); 46% report absolutely positive perceptions.
The Crimea’s incorporation was the right decision (86%). Every tenth respondent (10%) opposes this opinion.
The reasons why Russians consider that the Crimea’s incorporation was the right decision are as follows: Crimea has traditionally been part of the Russian land, “ours” — 47%. It is the expression of the Crimeans’ will (8%); it is related to the fraternal people and protection of national interest (7%); it helped to restore historical justice (6%).
Crimea and Sevastopol are essential to Russia’s national defense: 77% of respondents agree with this opinion. Seventeen percent of Russians do not share this stance.
Seventy percent of respondents say that their life has changed after the renunciation; and 51% point out considerable changes. Three percent of respondents say their life has not changed; 27% remain undecided. The changes are as follows: the life has changed for the better (15%); improvements in infrastructure, construction of roads and bridges (9%); more social benefits (5%); no war, safe peninsula (5%).
The Crimea’s incorporation proves that Russia can defend its own national interests. This opinion is supported by 82% of Russians. Western countries would have introduced political and economic sanctions against Russia in any case – this opinion is shared by 77% of respondents.
In the near future, Crimea can become a world-class resort, according to 62% of Russians; 33% disagree with this opinion.
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on March 10, 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.
In March 2014, a referendum was held in Crimea and Sevastopol to incorporate Crimea and Sevastopol into the Russian territory. What feelings do you have when you hear about the Crimea’s incorporation into Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Pride | 48 |
Admiration | 15 |
Condemnation | 4 |
Disappointment | 3 |
No feelings | 27 |
Don’t know | 3 |
How do you assess the Crimea’s incorporation into Russia today? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Definitely positively | 46 |
Rather positively | 35 |
Rather negatively | 6 |
Definitely negatively | 7 |
Don’t know | 6 |
In your opinion, did Russia make the right decision to incorporate Crimea, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Definitely right | 57 |
Rather right | 29 |
Rather wrong | 6 |
Definitely wrong | 4 |
Don’t know | 4 |
Why do you think that it was the right decision to incorporate Crimea into Russia? (% of those who think that Russia made the right decision to incorporate Crimea into its territory, open-ended question, one answer) | |
| Total respondents |
Crimea is ours / traditionally Russian land | 47 |
Expression of the Crimeans’ will | 8 |
Fraternal people / defending national interest | 7 |
Historical justice / what was previously transferred by Khrushchev was returned back | 6 |
Strategically important spot / military installations | 4 |
We averted a war in Crimea | 3 |
Expanding and strengthening our borders | 2 |
Protection of people and territory | 2 |
Access to the Black sea | 2 |
We have our port of Sevastopol and our fleet | 2 |
We prevented the deployment of American bases in Crimea | 1 |
Increase in living standards for Crimeans / restoration of Crimea | 1 |
Resort areas within Russia | 1 |
Economically beneficial / tourism | 1 |
There are many relatives there / friends | 1 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 10 |
I will read several statements about Crimea, the city of Sevastopol; please tell me if you agree or disagree with them. Crimea and Sevastopol are essential to Russia’s national defense. (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Rather agree | 77 |
Rather disagree | 17 |
Don’t know /I cannot asses it | 6 |
In your opinion, has the life for people in Crimea changed or not changed after the Crimea’s incorporation? If it has, did it change significantly or insignificantly? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
It has changed significantly | 51 |
It has changed insignificantly | 19 |
No change | 3 |
Don’t know | 27 |
In your opinion, how did the life for people in Crimea change after the Crimea’s incorporation into Russia? (open-ended question, not more than three answers; answers of least 2% of respondents; only those who think that the life for people in Crimea has changed after the Crimea’s incorporation; % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
The life changed for the better | 15 |
Infrastructure development/ road repairs/ construction of the bridge | 9 |
Increase in social benefits (maternity capital / pensions/ bonuses) | 5 |
Safety/ protection against Ukraine / no war/ freedom | 5 |
Well-being/ welfare / increase in living standards / improvements in family well-being | 4 |
Tourism growth / launch of resorts | 4 |
The situation deteriorated | 3 |
Smooth power supply / water supply/ independence from Ukraine in this issue | 3 |
We got back to our “home harbor” / where we wanted / they speak their native language | 3 |
More stable / steady situation | 3 |
Economic development | 2 |
More jobs | 2 |
More funding | 2 |
More prospects for development / restoration | 2 |
Price increase | 2 |
Free movement within the country/ communication with relatives | 2 |
Increase/ payment of salaries | 2 |
Prices have increased | 2 |
Other | 10 |
Don’t know | 16 |
Those who did not answer the question | 30 |
I will read several statements about Crimea, the city of Sevastopol; please tell me if you agree or disagree with them. With the reunification of Crimea with Russia, Russia proved that it can defend its national interests. (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Likely to agree | 82 |
Likely to disagree | 13 |
Don’t know /I cannot assess it | 5 |
Which of two viewpoints do you agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
The Crimea’s incorporation into Russia was only another reason to introduce sanctions which would have been introduced anyway | 77 |
Western countries announced political and economic sanctions against Russia because of the Crimea’s incorporation into Russia | 16 |
Don’t know | 7 |
I will read several statements about Crimea, the city of Sevastopol; please tell me if you agree or disagree with them. In the near future Crimea can become a world-class resort (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Likely to agree | 62 |
Likely to disagree | 33 |
Don’t know / I cannot assess it | 5 |