May 27, 2021. VCIOM presents the findings of a survey devoted to peacekeeping.
The most well-remembered peacekeeping operation mentioned by respondents is a mission in Syria (37%). Respondents also pointed out a peacekeeping mission in Yugoslavia (5%), Nagorno-Karabakh (4%), Armenia (4%), Ukraine (3%) and Georgia (3%). The mission in Syria is mentioned by respondents aged 60 and older (45%), people living in rural area (42%) and women (41%). The peacekeeping operation in Yugoslavia is primarily mentioned by men (10%), residents of Moscow and St Petersburg and million-plus cities (7%, each). Every fifth respondent (22%) failed to cite countries where peacekeeping operation involving Russia took place.
More than half of respondents (54%) say that Russia should participate in peacekeeping only if it concerns the protection Russia’s national security. More than one-third of Russians (35%) consider that Russia should participate in those peacekeeping operations that would help solve international disputes and conflicts. Seven percent of respondents say that Russia should not participate in such operations.
A quarter of Russians (26%) think that Russia should take part in military conflicts similar to the Syrian conflict if it helps settle international disputes. More than half of respondents (55%) believe that Russia should involve in the conflicts only if it helps reduce threats to the country. Thirteen percent of respondents say that Russia should not take part in any conflicts similar to the Syrian one.
Most of Russians (81%) are aware of the Russia’s participation in the Nagorno-Karabakh peacekeeping mission in 2020. Nineteen percent of respondents heard about that for the first time. Most people who are aware of it are respondents with higher and incomplete higher education (95%) and Russians aged 60 and older (92%) and those aged 45-59 (89%).
More than half of respondents (62%) believe that Russia played a key role in signing of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal; 13% say its role was secondary; 5% consider that Russia did not play any crucial role in settling the conflict. Those who point to Russia’s essential role are respondents aged 60 and older (79%), those aged 45-59 (74%) and rural area residents (60%).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on May 25, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Peacekeeping operations may be deployed in the countries with a high probability of conflict if economic and political measures ended in failure. Being a UN member, Russia has taken part in peacekeeping operations in different countries of the globe since 1992. Please try to recall those countries where Russia acted as a peacekeeper. (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents, answers of a least 2% of respondents) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Syria | 37 | 32 | 41 | 28 | 33 | 30 | 40 | 45 |
Yugoslavia | 5 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 4 |
Nagorno-Karabakh | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
Armenia | 4 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Ukraine | 3 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Georgia | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Afghanistan | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Serbia | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Abkhazia | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
I do not know, I do not remember | 22 | 13 | 30 | 34 | 30 | 24 | 16 | 17 |
Different people assess Russia’s participation in peacekeeping in various countries in a different way. In your opinion, should Russia participate in peacekeeping, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Russia should participate in peacekeeping only if it is related to the protection of its national security, prevention of threats to Russia | 54 |
Russia should participate in peacekeeping if it helps to settle international disputes, conflicts | 35 |
Russia should not participate in peacekeeping | 7 |
Don’t know | 4 |
Let us talk about the conflict in Syria which started 10 years ago. Russia conducted a military operation in Syria against terrorist groups and now Russia is providing humanitarian aid to Syria. Which statement are you more likely to agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Russia should participate in such conflicts only of it concerns Russia’s national security, prevention of threats to Russia | 55 |
Russia should participate in conflicts similar to the Syrian conflict if it helps settle international disputes | 26 |
Russia should avoid participating in any conflicts similar to the Syrian one | 13 |
Don’t know | 6 |
Do you know/have you heard/do you hear for the first time about the Russia’s latest peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, or do you hear about it for the first time? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
I know, I heard something | 81 | 59 | 68 | 79 | 89 | 92 |
This is the first time I hear about it | 19 | 41 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 8 |
In your opinion, did Russia play a key role in the signing of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Key role | 62 | 39 | 43 | 51 | 74 | 79 |
Secondary role | 13 | 24 | 17 | 16 | 8 | 9 |
No role | 5 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
Don’t know | 20 | 26 | 33 | 25 | 15 | 10 |