Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Russians of all ages and with various viewpoints believe that the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 is the most important event in the current historic period of the Russian history.

MOSCOW, JUNE 23, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey marking the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

An overwhelming majority of Russians (95%) agree that the victory in the Great Patriotic War is the major event in the 20th century for Russia. Four percent of Russians partly or completely disagree with this statement.

Those aged 45+ are more likely to agree with this opinion (86% of the 45-49-year-olds; 94% of those aged 60+). The shares of young Russians aged 18-34 vary between 71% and 72%.

According to 69% of Russians, Victory Day is the most important event in the Russian history; they are mainly Russians aged 60+ (81%). One-third of Russians (27%) consider that this event is as important as others; one in two respondents aged 18-24 share this opinion (49%). Neither older populations nor younger ones consider the victory in the Great Patriotic War a secondary or ordinary event in the Russian history; only 2% of Russians share this opinion.

Almost three-quarters of Russians (73%) are confident that the victory in the Great Patriotic War should be used for the patriotic upbringing of the young people. One in five respondents are more likely to consider it important (19%). Six percent of Russians think it is not important.

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on June 21, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 2,000 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone number 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.

 

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) is the key event in the Russian history in the 20th century?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

% of total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

Completely agree

83

71

72

80

86

94

Partly agree

12

22

18

15

10

4

Partly disagree

2

2

5

3

1

1

Completely disagree

2

5

3

1

2

0

Don’t know

1

0

2

1

0

1

In your opinion, the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) is …

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

% of total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

The most important event in the Russian history  

69

44

58

68

72

81

An important event in the Russian history along with other  events

27

49

36

28

26

16

A secondary event in the Russian history

1

3

2

1

0

1

An ordinary event in the Russian history

1

3

1

0

1

0

Other  

0

0

1

0

0

0

Don’t know

2

2

2

2

0

2

            In your opinion, should the victory in the Great Patriotic War be used for youth’s patriotic upbringing? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

% of total respondents

Definitely yes 

73

Probably  yes

19

Probably no

4

Definitely no

2

Don’t know

2

 

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