The military capacity of the Russian army is increasing; however the military threat is not decreasing.

MOSCOW, March 4, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning how Russians assess the state of the Russian army, and if there is a military threat to Russia from other countries.

The index evaluating the state of the Russian army has been positive over the recent years and reached its maximum (62 points). This indicates an improvement in the attitudes of Russians towards the state in the army. One-quarter of Russians (24%) asses the current state of the military forces as good; the share of such respondents has increased over a year (from 16% in February 2013). Positive assessments are expressed by supporters of the United Russia party (30%), and residents of the million cities (35%). The share of those who assess the current state in the Russian army as average has also increased (54% vs 46% in February 2013). Only 16% of respondents evaluate negatively the situation in the Russian army.

Military threat index made up 10 points in February. The current index value is the same as it was in 2010 (12 points); however it slightly exceeds the value of the previous years. That means that today Russians are more concerned about military threat than it was five or ten years ago. Russians were least concerned in 2009 (15 points). Today every second respondent (52%) believes that there is a military threat coming from other states. Those who think so are mainly Russians aged 45-59 (57%), living in middle cities (59%), having low income (58%), or being CPRF adherents (60%).  At the same time, 42% of respondents say that there are no reasons to talk about  any military threat to Russia.  Those who think so are mainly residents of Moscow and St.Petersburg (47%), as well as residents of small cities (47%).

The Index evaluating the state of the army reflects the subjective assessment of Russians concerning the situation in the Russian army.  It is based on the question “How would you assess the current state of the Russian army?" and is calculated as a difference between positive and negative assessments. The higher the value of index is, the better opinion Russians have about the situation in the army. The value of index can fluctuate between -100 and 100 points.

The military threat index reflects the subjective assessment of Russians concerning possible military threat to Russia. It is based on the question "In your opinion, is there military threat to Russia coming from other states?" and is calculated as a difference between positive and negative assessments. The higher the value of index is, the more Russians are confident that there is a military threat to Russia. The value of index can fluctuate between -100 and 100 points.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on February 15-16, 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%.

*Until 2009 there was no such option  

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