MOSCOW, December 11, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of a monitoring survey describing protest moods of Russians.

More than half of Russians (54%) have not heard about any protest actions and rallies in the country over the recent month. Only one in ten are well aware of such activities (8%). Those who report high levels of informative awareness are Russians aged 18-24 (16%). The group of background awareness is represented by one-third of respondents (38%) – mainly those who have heard of actions but do not know any details. 

Most of respondents believe that the probability of mass protest activity in their area of residence is rather low (66%). Twenty-eight percent of respondents admit that such protest actions may happen; this percentage has returned to the spring levels (30-31% in June-August). At the same time, 24% of respondents admit they could take part in such actions (the peak value was recorded in June-July (27%).

When asked whether certain protest activities are acceptable or not, half of respondents admit (53%) that neither form of protest activity is acceptable to them. One-third of respondents say that they could sign a petition (33%; mainly Russians aged 25-34 (39%)). Fourteen percent of respondents would be ready to take part in a demonstration; 8% would agree to disseminate information to attract more attention to problems.

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on December 5, 2019. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is 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 in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.