MOSCOW, February 20, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents results of its latest poll dedicated to the following problems: is there a military threat to Russia from other countries, what is the state of Russian Army, and should the size of the Armed Forces and amount of funding allocated for the Armed Forces be increased?

The military threat to Russia from other countries has been considerably reduced throughout the previous decade. If in 2000 the share of respondents who reported about such threat was 49%, in 2003 (U.S. invasion of Iraq) they were 46%, then now such respondents are only 37%. 52% of respondents said there is no such threat. Most of those who think there is such threat are Volga region and Urals residents, as well as CPRF adherents (42, 46 and 49% respectively). Those who consider there is no any military threats from other countries are often residents from the Southern part of Russia, Siberia and "United Russia" party` supporters (62, 61 and 55% respectively).

According to our respondents, the state of the Russian Armed Forces over the same period has improved significantly. If in 1998 only 1% considered it to be good, and 13% - average, then now those who think the state of the Armed Forces is good are 17%, and those who state it is average are 48%. In 1998 the overwhelming majority (81%) reported that the state of the army is bad or very bad (41%), now only 25% think so. Those who think the Russian army is in a good state are LDPR supporters (24%) and rural area residents (25%); those who think the state is average are "Fair Russia" adherents (57%); those who think it is bad are "Yabloko" and "Right Force" parties` supporters (44%), as well as capital residents (39%).

The current size of the Russian Army (1.1 million) seems optimal for 48% of respondents.  Other 25% consider that the size should be increased and only 13%, vice versa, - considerably decreased. Three years ago those who supported reduction of the army were slightly more (20%), and those who wished to increase its size were less - 19%. Those who support the increase of the size of the army are often small towns and villages` citizens (27%), LDPR and right-wing supporters (31% for each). Muscovites and St.Petersburgians mostly tend to think that the army should be reduced (26%).

As for Defense spending, the majority of Russians still tend to think that it should be increased. A year ago 75% of respondents thought so, now they are 71%. Unfortunately, only 2-3% of Russians call for reduced military spending. Those who think that the Russian Army needs increase in funding are mostly those respondents who estimate the state of the army as being good (75%), as well as those who think that the state is bad (74%). This answer is shared by the residents of the Southern Russia (85%), and middle and small towns (76-77%). The respondents who think that Russia should keep the current funding level are often those who evaluate the state of the army as being "average" or above average (19-20%). The respondents from North-Western and Far-Eastern Federal Districts (27% and 24% respectively), as well as capital residents (25%) report that the amount of finance should be the same level.

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on February 14-15, 2009.

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!