Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Respondents’ attitudes towards draft evasion are moderately negative. The draft evaders themselves as well as their peers see no need to strengthen the measures to combat draft evasion.

MOSCOW, April 16, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to the military service evasion.

The current conscription procedures (young men aged 18-26 who  are subject to military conscription are handed in a call-up notice by the representatives of the military commissariats to appear at their draft board) do not have any impact on the number of draft evaders, according to the majority of respondents (68%).

Sixteen percent of respondents (27% among the 18-24-year-olds) agree that the conscription system leads to an increase in the number of draft dodgers.

Russians tend to condemn (35%) or do not understand (21%) those who refuses to serve in the army. Few respondents approve them (5%) and understand them (24%). Condemnation is expressed mainly by those aged 60 and over (46%), appreciation is expressed by Muscovites and Petersburgians (35%) and young Russians aged 18-24 (27%). A further 11% are indifferent to possible draft evaders (the share of the 18-24-year-olds is 25%).

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 7-8, 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

Today young men aged 18-26 are subject to military conscription and the military commissariats hand them in a call-up notice to appear at the draft board. Some people think that this procedure increases the number of evaders, i.e. those who evade military service. Others say that this does not have any impact on the number of evaders. Which statement do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

The current conscription procedures  lead to increased number of evaders

16

27

20

13

15

12

The current conscription procedures  do not have any impact on the number of evaders

68

66

66

75

68

64

Don’t know

16

7

14

12

17

24

 

Today young men aged 18-26 are subject to military conscription and the military commissariats hand them in a call-up notice to appear at the draft board. Some people think that this procedure increases the number of evaders, i.e. those who evade military service. Others say that this does not have any impact on the number of evaders. Which statement do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St Petersburg

Million cities

500-950, 000

inhabitants

100–500, 000 inhabitants

Less than  100,000 inhabitants

Rural area

The current conscription procedures  lead to increased number of evaders

16

13

14

16

14

15

21

The current conscription procedures  do not have any impact on the number of evaders

68

66

71

72

69

70

62

Don’t know

16

21

15

12

17

15

17

 

People have various attitudes towards those who evade the military service in the Russian army. What is your attitude towards them?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)

 

Total respondents

Men

Women

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

Likely to support them

5

4

5

3

6

5

4

5

Likely to understand them

24

18

29

27

26

25

23

22

Unlikely to understand them

21

22

20

25

23

22

19

19

Likely to condemn them

35

39

32

19

22

30

42

46

Indifferent

11

13

8

25

19

13

6

3

Don’t know

4

4

6

1

4

5

6

5

 

People have various attitudes towards those who evade the military service in the Russian army. What is your attitude towards them? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St Petersburg

Million cities

500-950, 000

inhabitants

100–500, 000 inhabitants

Less than  100,000 inhabitants

Rural area

Likely to support them

5

5

5

2

5

4

6

Likely to understand them

24

35

27

24

21

25

19

Unlikely to understand them

21

16

20

24

19

21

25

Likely to condemn them

35

24

32

31

38

38

38

Indifferent

11

13

10

14

13

7

9

Don’t know

4

7

6

5

4

5

3

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!

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