Two-thirds of Russians blame Ukrainian army and security services for the air crash.
MOSCOW, August 1, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning whether Russians are aware of the Boeing crash in Ukraine; who is to blame; and what consequences it may lead to.
An overwhelming majority of Russians know about the Boeing crash in the Donetsk region (94%). The residents of the metropolitan area are most informed; 99% of them are aware.
Missile attack is cited by most of respondents as a reason of the air crash (61%). Respondents also mentioned terrorist attack (14%), accident (6%), technical problem (3%), and crew mistake (2%) among reasons.
Regardless of the actual reason of the crash, Ukrainian army and security services are cited most frequently among reasons of the plane crash (64%). Sixteen percent of respondents blame western security services. Militants or Russian security services are mentioned by not more than 2% of Russians.
The consequences of the plane crash are currently not obvious for Russians (38% are hard to cite them). Most of Russians see no consequences (38%). Eight percent think that this situation will exacerbate the conflict involving Europe, the USA and Ukraine; 7% say that new sanctions may be imposed by western countries; three percent say that the plane crash may cause a war.
Russians are divided in their opinions on what position Russia should have in the Ukrainian conflict. One-third of respondents (32%) think that Russia should support the Donbas militants; almost the same share of respondents (28%) think that Russia should be a mediator and a peacemaker in the conflict. Other 29% say that Russia should not interfere in the conflict.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on July 26-27, 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%.
Do you know/have you hear/do you hear for the first time about the Malaysian Boeing crash in eastern Ukraine? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Yes, I know about that | 56 | 69 | 43 | 58 | 65 | 52 | 50 |
I heard something but I do not know any details | 38 | 30 | 54 | 36 | 31 | 39 | 44 |
This if the first time I hear about that | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
Don`t know | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
In your opinion, what caused the Boeing crash in eastern Ukraine? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who know about the plane crash) | |
Total | |
Missile attack | 61 |
Terrorist attack | 14 |
Accident; tragic coincidence | 6 |
Technical problem | 3 |
Crew mistakes | 2 |
Poor weather conditions | <1 |
Other | 2 |
Don`t know | 12 |
If the aircraft was attacked or if it was a terrorist attack, in your opinion, who is behind that? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who know about the crash) | |
| Total |
Ukrainian army, Ukrainian security services | 64 |
Western services | 16 |
Militants, self-defense forces of the People`s republics of eastern Ukraine | 2 |
Terrorists not related to the conflict | 2 |
Russian army, Russian security services | 1 |
Other | 2 |
Don`t know | 13 |
In your opinion, what consequences may the Boeing crash have? (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who know about that plane crash) | |
| Total |
The conflict involving Europe, the USA, Ukraine may be exacerbated | 8 |
Western/ European countries may impose new sanctions against Russia / deterioration of the economic situation in Russia | 7 |
Russia will be blamed | 4 |
A new war may start | 3 |
If it is proved that Russia is not involved, the political relations between Russia and Europe may improve | 1 |
Nothing may change | 38 |
Other | 3 |
Don`t know | 38 |
In your opinion, what position should Russia have toward the Donbas militants due to the Malaysian Boeing crash? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who know about the plane crash) | |||||||
| Total | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Russia should support the Donbas militants | 32 | 29 | 46 | 21 | 30 | 36 | 31 |
Russia should be a mediator to ensure a dialogue between the Kiev authorities and the militants | 28 | 39 | 24 | 21 | 29 | 32 | 22 |
Russia should support the Kiev authorities | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Russia should not interfere in the conflict between the Kiev authorities and the militants | 29 | 24 | 22 | 39 | 27 | 26 | 34 |
Other | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Don`t know | 9 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
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!