In December 2016, President Putin declared that the Russian army was capable of repelling any aggressor. A recent VCIOM’s survey shows how Russians assess the Russian army strength and efficiency.
MOSCOW, January 17, 2017. Russian Public Opining research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey describing how Russians assess the performance and efficiency of the Russian army and its role in the life of society.
Russians think that the measures taken to increase the Russian army efficiency are effective: today 76% think that over the recent two or three years the efficiency has increased, compared to 73% of respondents who thought so a year ago. The share of the negative answers is extremely low (2%); 15% have not mentioned any changes.
The situation assessments depend on the age of respondent: the older the respondents are, the more noticeable they think the changes are. The share of those who think that the efficiency has increased is 71% among those aged 18-24; this share is considerably higher among those aged 60 and over (81%). The percentage of those who think the efficiency has increased is 83% among those who are well aware of the situation in the army.
The assessments of the Armed Forces efficiency are close to the maximum possible: 92% of Russians think that the army will be able to protect the population against any threat. Only 5% are skeptical about that.
The army’s role as a social institution is extremely important, according to respondents. Seventy percent of Russians consider that the army has impact on the economic development of the country. This confidence is stronger among those who are older (especially those aged 45 and over). The older the respondents are, the more they realize the impact the army has on society: the share of those who think that there is an impact is 66% among those aged 18-24, and 78% among those who are aged 60 and over.
The VCIOM survey was conducted in October 2016, in 130 settlements, 46 regions and 8 federal districts of Russia. The sample size (in each survey) involved 1600 persons. The survey was conducted with multi-stage stratified sample based on general rule of walking and quotas at the final selection stage; the sample is representative of the Russian population aged 18 and over according to sex, age, education, type of settlement. The margin of error (taking into account the design effect) with 95% confidence interval does not exceed 3.4%. The survey method is community-based structured face-to-face interviews. Apart from the margin of error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the field work should be taken into account.
In your opinion, has the Russian army efficiency increased, decreased or stayed at the same level over the recent two or three years? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||
| 2015 | 2016 |
It is likely to have increased | 73 | 76 |
It has stayed at the same level | 19 | 15 |
It is likely to have decreased | 3 | 2 |
Don’t know | 5 | 7 |
In your opinion, is the Russian army capable of protecting Russia against a real military threat coming from other countries? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||
| 2015 | 2016 |
Definitely yes | 49 | 53 |
Rather yes | 40 | 39 |
Rather not | 6 | 4 |
Definitely not | 2 | 1 |
Don’t know | 3 | 3 |
In your opinion, does the army have any impact on the life of ordinary people and Russian society in general? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||
| 2015 | 2016 |
Definitely yes | 21 | 23 |
Rather yes | 45 | 47 |
Rather not | 18 | 14 |
It does not have any impact | 8 | 8 |
Don’t know | 8 | 8 |
In your opinion, does the army have any impact on the country’s economic development? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||
| 2015 | 2016 |
Definitely yes | 26 | 28 |
Rather yes | 44 | 47 |
Rather not | 13 | 11 |
It does not have any impact | 7 | 5 |
Don’t know | 10 | 9 |
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