Today most of Russians are not afraid of a nuclear war much. They say nuclear threat primarily comes from the U.S.A.
MOSCOW, August 6, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to World Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Seventy-two percent of Russians know real cases of nuclear bomb use in military conflicts. However 21% of respondents fail to remember exact cases: they are mainly respondents aged 18-24 (24%) and 25-34 (27%).
More than half of respondents (52%), to a varying degree, are afraid of a new nuclear war; they are mainly women (68%) and persons aged 60 and over (68%). About the same share of respondents (46%) are not afraid; they are basically men (64%) as well as those aged 18-24 (59%), 25-34 (58%) and 35-44 (52%).
Seventy-nine percent of Russians are confident that no one will survive in a nuclear war regardless of the number of bomb shelters and supplies. On the contrary, 16% say that bomb shelters will help people survive.
Only 5% know if there is a nearby survival shelter; mainly men (19%), persons aged 35-44 (18%) and 45-59 (18%). A further 13% are confident that there is a shelter but they do not know where it is situated. On the whole, 71% of Russians know neither about the existence of bomb shelters nor where they are located; they are basically women (73%), young Russians aged 18-24 (74%) and people aged over 60 (77%).
The biggest nuclear threat to Russia comes from the U.S.A, according to survey findings (60%). Thirteen percent point to China; 11% say no country or organization poses a nuclear threat.
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on July 3, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and 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 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Do you remember any case when a nuclear bomb was used in any real military conflicts? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
I remember that it was used | 72 | 68 | 64 | 73 | 79 | 70 |
It has never been used | 21 | 24 | 27 | 19 | 17 | 23 |
Don't know | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 7 |
To what extent are you personally concerned about a new nuclear war? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| Total | Men | Women |
I am not concerned | 46 | 64 | 31 |
Somewhat concerned | 33 | 24 | 41 |
Strongly concerned | 14 | 9 | 19 |
I have a constant fear | 5 | 3 | 8 |
Don't know | 2 | 0 | 1 |
To what extent are you personally concerned about a new nuclear war? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
I am not concerned | 46 | 59 | 58 | 52 | 44 | 31 |
Somewhat concerned | 33 | 26 | 32 | 30 | 35 | 36 |
Strongly concerned | 14 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 23 |
I have a constant fear | 5 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 9 |
Don't know | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Some people think that if there are bomb shelters, food, water and other supplies, people will be able to survive in a global nuclear war. Others think that people will not survive a global nuclear war even if they have enough bomb shelters and supplies. Which opinion do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
The former: people will survive in bomb shelters | 16 |
The latter: almost no one will survive | 79 |
Don't know | 5 |
Do you know where a bombproof shelter closest to your home is located? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| Total | Men | Women |
I know that there is a bomb shelter and I know where it is | 15 | 19 | 12 |
I now that there is a bomb shelter but do not know where it is | 13 | 12 | 14 |
I do not know/ there is no bomb shelter | 71 | 68 | 73 |
Don't know | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Do you know where a bombproof shelter closest to your home is located? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
I know that there is a bomb shelter and I know where it is | 15 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
I now that there is a bomb shelter but do not know where it is | 13 | 13 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 9 |
I do not know/ there is no bomb shelter | 71 | 74 | 67 | 68 | 68 | 77 |
Don't know | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
In your opinion, what countries or organizations pose a nuclear threat to Russia? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 1% of respondents) | |
| Total |
USA | 60 |
China | 13 |
Great Britain | 6 |
Korea | 6 |
NATO countries | 5 |
Ukraine | 3 |
Japan | 3 |
Iran | 2 |
Russia, Russian government | 1 |
France | 1 |
Pakistan | 1 |
Poland | 1 |
Israel | 1 |
Europe | 1 |
Germany | 1 |
ISIL*, terrorist organizations | 1 |
No one | 11 |
Other | 1 |
Don't know | 19 |
* Organization banned in Russia
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.