Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Russians know little about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict but they hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

MOSCOW, August 25, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the level of awareness of Russians about the escalating tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; whether the conflict can be resolved peacefully; and what the status of this territory is, according to Russians.

Forty-five percent of Russians are aware that there have been tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in August (10% of them know the details; 35% heard something but do not know any details). Those who are more informed are elderly respondents (55% of those who are aged over 60) and men (51%), rather than young Russians (31%) and women (41%). Fifty-two percent of respondents found out about the escalating tensions during the interview.

According to every fourth Russian Nagorno-Karabakh is an independent state (24%). They are mainly respondents with higher education diplomas (26%) rather than respondents with a low level of education (13%). The remainder are divided in their opinions: eleven percent say that this territory is part of Armenia; nine percent say that it is part of Azerbaijan. One half of respondents (53%) are undecided.

Fifty-six of Russians believe that the conflict can be resolved peacefully; most of them are elderly respondents (65%) and Russians having elementary level of education (64%). Only 14% of Russians consider that the territorial dispute cannot be resolved peacefully. One-third of respondents (30%) are undecided.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on August 16-17, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement.  The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

There have been recent tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region which is a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Do you know/ have you heard/ do you hear for the first time about this conflict?

(closed-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and more

I am well aware about that

10

5

6

9

13

15

I know about that but I do not know any details

35

26

29

41

37

40

This is the first time I hear about that

52

66

61

46

48

43

Don`t know

3

2

5

4

2

2

In your opinion, is Nagorno-Karabakh an independent state, part of Armenia or part of Azerbaijan? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

Total

Elementary (incomplete secondary) education

Secondary education (school, vocational school)

Specialized secondary education  (technical school)

Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institute), higher  education

Independent state

24

13

22

25

26

Part of Armenia

11

13

10

12

12

Part of Azerbaijan

9

11

8

11

7

Other

3

3

4

1

2

Don`t know

53

60

57

50

53

In your opinion, is a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict possible, or not?

(closed-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and more

Rather yes

56

51

52

58

56

65

Rather no

14

12

13

16

16

10

Don`t know

30

37

35

26

28

25

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!

Read the article in Russian