MOSCOW, 27 March 2026. The VCIOM Analytical Center presents the results of a survey of Russians on their beliefs in the supernatural.
A Personal Matter for Everyone
Russian society has reached a consensus on the inviolability of personal spiritual life. A vast majority of Russians recognize an individual’s right to freedom of religious and ideological beliefs, provided that these beliefs do not harm others. The observed consensus creates an environment in which an individual’s worldview is no longer subject to criticism, even when it differs significantly from commonly accepted views.
Supernatural creatures…
The findings suggest that belief in the supernatural serves as an indicator of our fears and is influenced by the extent to which individuals perceive themselves as vulnerable to external threats. This may explain why protective spirits and deities enjoy the greatest level of trust among Russians. In particular, two-thirds of Russians acknowledge the possible existence of higher powers or saints who protect people in times of danger, while travelling, or in battle, and more than half believe in spirits and deities who serve as patrons of the military. However, the desire for a kind of “invisible protection” extends beyond the battlefield and into everyday life. Every second Russian believes in the possible existence of the domovoy, a household guardian spirit traditionally thought to maintain harmony and protect those living in the home.
Remarkably, belief in spirits protecting children and animals is more widespread in Russia than belief in abstract spirits of nature and harvest. This choice may be explained by a shift in priorities: the collective fear of natural forces that once threatened entire communities with famine has been replaced by concern for those who are especially in need of protection.
Belief in extraordinary human abilities remains deeply rooted in public consciousness as well: almost half of Russians accept the possibility that there are individuals who have the gift of foresight.
The weakest form of belief among Russians appears to concern mythological figures from Slavic folklore: one-third of respondents accept the possible existence of leshy, while one in five believe in mermaids. These images have largely survived as folkloric archetypes rather than sacred forces with the power to prescribe rules of human conduct in the natural world.
…and powers
Magical practices of various kinds are also widespread in Russia. Engagement with these practices is driven primarily by the desire to improve health and regain a sense of control over one’s destiny. For example, six in ten respondents report having visited sacred healing springs, half have read horoscopes or consulted an astrologer, and more than a third have engaged in fortune-telling practices. Visiting sacred places for the purpose of worshipping gods or spirits is no less common than fortune-telling, unlike seeking help from healers and priests, which only one in seven respondents has done. Finally, protective objects play a notable role in the lives of many Russians: one in four respondents wears charms, amulets, or jewelry associated with the worship of spirits or natural forces.
Mysticism beyond borders
The supernatural is deeply rooted in everyday life: for the majority of Russians, there is a place for at least one magical practice or belief in a specific mythical being.
At the same time, belief in the supernatural is generation-specific: the older the respondent, the more likely they are to acknowledge the existence of mystical beings. Experience with magical practices appears to be more universal: the level of engagement remains consistently high across all age groups.
Religious affiliation also reinforces belief in the mystical: nine out of ten Orthodox Russians acknowledge the possible existence of at least one mythical being and have experience engaging in at least one of the mystical practices included in the survey.
‘VCIOM-Sputnik’ nationwide telephone survey was conducted on January 27, 2026. Survey involved 1,600 Russian respondents aged 18 and older. The method used was a telephone interview based on a stratified random sample drawn from a comprehensive list of mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted by socio-demographic parameters. The margin of error, with a 95% confidence level, does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, survey results may also be affected by question wording and various circumstances arising during fieldwork.
Which of the following statements do you agree or disagree with? (close-ended question, one answer per each line, % of total respondents) | |||
| Somewhat agree | Somewhat disagree | Don’t know |
Person's beliefs are a private matter, as long as they do not harm others | 96 | 2 | 2 |
Everyone has the right to believe whatever they choose; freedom of belief should not be restricted | 92 | 6 | 2 |
Do you consider it possible that the following exist …? (close-ended question, one answer per item, % of total respondents) | |||
| Probably yes
| Probably no
| Don’t know |
Saints believed to protect people in times of danger, during journeys, or in battle | 66 | 26 | 8 |
Spirits or deities which protect members of the military, grant courage, and provide protection and support in combat | 57 | 34 | 9 |
The domovoy (household spirit) protecting the home and its inhabitants | 50 | 43 | 7 |
Spirits or deities that protect children, animals, and others in need of protection and assistance | 48 | 42 | 10 |
The ability of some people to tell fortunes, predict the future, or practice magic | 47 | 46 | 7 |
Spirits or deities of nature that protect and support people | 44 | 47 | 9 |
The leshy (forest spirit) that protects the forest and its inhabitants | 34 | 57 | 9 |
A spirit or deity of the harvest that is responsible for fertility and abundant harvests | 33 | 57 | 10 |
Mermaids or nymphs that protect rivers, lakes, and seas | 22 | 70 | 8 |
Have you ever …in your life? (close-ended question, one answer per item, % of total respondents) | |||
| Yes | No | Don’t know |
Visited sacred springs to collect water believed to have special healing powers | 59 | 40 | 1 |
Read horoscopes or astrological forecasts, or sought advice from an astrologer | 52 | 47 | 1 |
Told fortunes or tried to learn about the future (using cards, coffee grounds, candles, etc.) | 37 | 63 | 0 |
Visited sacred places to worship spirits or gods | 36 | 63 | 1 |
Worn, or do you wear jewelry, charms, amulets, signs, or symbols associated with gods, spirits, or the worship of natural forces | 25 | 74 | 1 |
Turned to healers or spiritual practitioners seeking to change their fate or help achieve success in a particular endeavor | 14 | 86 | 0 |
The level of “everyday mysticism” in the lives of Russians | ||||||
| Total | Ages 18-24
| 25-34
| 35-44
| 45-59 | 60 +
|
Have engaged in at least one of the six magical practices studied | 85 | 82 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 80 |
Accept the possible existence of at least one of the nine supernatural entities studied | 81 | 68 | 65 | 78 | 86 | 93 |
The level of “everyday mysticism” in the lives of Russians | ||||
| Total | Which religion or worldview do you identify with?* (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
Orthodox Christianity (58%) | Islam (6%) | Do not consider myself a believer / Atheism (21%) | ||
Have engaged in at least one of the six magical practices studied | 85 | 92 | 75 | 70 |
Accept the possible existence of at least one of the nine supernatural entities studied | 81 | 91 | 76 | 56 |
* The main groups are shown.
Author: Lyudmila Karpova