MOSCOW, February 21, 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study describing the Russian opinions on the evacuation of the civilians from the DNR and LNR to Russia.

Russians support receiving refugees from the DNR and LNR following intensified provocations in these republics (78%). Thirteen percent of respondents do not support the decision; they are basically Russians aged 18-34 (31% of the 18-24-year-olds; 20% of the 25-34-year-olds).

Three-quarters of respondents support the decision of the Russian president to pay lump sums amounted to ten thousand rubles to the DNR and LNR refugees (75%). Eighteen percent do not support this measure.

Most of Russians have a favorable view of the Russian volunteers helping the refugees from the LNR and DNR (82%); 12% are indifferent; 4% have negative views.  

Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted February 20, 2022. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18+. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. Data were weighted according to the probability of selection and socio-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.