MOSCOW, May 13, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning the attitude of Russians toward the withdrawal of the Black Sea fleet from Sevastopol, and what Russians think is more important for Russia - to prolong the stay of Russian fleet on the Ukrainian territory or to save market gas prices at the same level.

An overwhelming majority of Russians oppose the withdrawal of the Black Sea Fleet from the territory of Ukraine (73%). Only 8% of Russians supported the idea; other 19% remained undecided. Those in favor of the withdrawal are generally LDPR party supporters (19%), respondents aged 18-24 or 35-44 (11% for each), and residents of the Southern Federal District (12%). The opposite stance is expressed by CPRF (83%) and Fair Russia (86%) party supporters, elderly respondents aged above 60 (82%), and residents of the North-Western Federal District (86%). The higher the level of education of respondents is, the more often they support the idea to prolong the term of the Black Sea fleet deployment in Sevastopol: 70% of respondents with low level of education and 80% of those with high level share this stance. Respondents with poor financial income are more often in favor of Russian Fleet staying in Sevastopol, than those with good financial income   (76% and 68% respectively).

Those who want Russian fleet to remain headquartered point out historical ownership of Sevastopol  (29%), and strategic presence for Russia  (29%) to prove their position.  Many Russians regard the Black Sea Fleet as a security guarantor for Russians residing in Crimea (10%), and see political benefits (5%) in prolonging the term of stay. Some respondents mark that it is cheaper for Russia to keep this naval base than to set up a new one on the territory of Russia (4%) and hope that it will prevent Ukraine from entering NATO (3%).

According to those supporting the withdrawal of Russia`s naval base, preserving the presence of Russian naval base in Sevastopol aggravates the relations between the two countries being a source for potential conflicts between them (30%). Respondents in favor of such a position think that Russian fleet should stay on the Russian territory (19%); they also think that the fleet maintenance costs too much for Russia (9%) takes money needed for the development of the Novorossiysk base (8%), and that Russian fleet is to outdated (5%).

Most Russians believe that it is more important for Russia to extend the Russian fleet lease in Sevastopol than to save market gas prices for Ukraine (62% against 19%). Those in favor of market gas prices are supporters of LDPR  (34%), non-parliamentary (24%) and CPRF (22%) parties. They are also supported by the young respondents aged 18-24 (25%), Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (22%), as well as residents of the Central (24%) and Urals (24%) Federal Districts. Those who prefer the Russian Black Sea Fleet to stay in Crimea are basically supporters of the Fair Russia  (72%) and United Russia (67%) parties, as well as respondents aged above 60 (66%), and residents of the North-Western Federal District (73%).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on May 1-2, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!