MOSCOW, 22 March 2023. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey on the topic of pride in Russia.

IN BRIEF:

• 62% of Russians say they have felt more pride  in Russia over the recent year;
• What evokes the most pride in Russians among the events recent 10-15 years is recognition of the LPR and DPR and Crimea’s reunification with Russia over the (17%, each).

A March survey reveals that over half of Russians have become more proud of Russia over the recent year (62%). Those who report so are mainly older respondents aged 60+ (71% vs. 54-49% of the 18-34-year-olds), as well as residents of South and Northwestern federal districts (74% and 75% respectively). Twenty-three percent of respondents say they are less proud of Russia today.

Reasons for being proud of Russia are numerous – they range from achievements and riches to its history.  Russian people are the main reason for Russians to be proud of their country (14%). High levels of solidarity (“unity”, “cohesion”, “patriotism”), stamina (“strong”, “invincible Russia”, “we don’t give up”), Russia’s history and its international image gained 8% (each). Another 7% are proud of Vladimir Putin as Russian president and their civic belonging (“I was born here”, “my motherland”, “my country”). Only 6% say nothing evokes pride in them; 12% failed to give an answer.  

Every second respondent says that certain events of the recent 10-15 years have evoked a sense of pride (53%). The most considerable events have been protecting the Donbas, recognition of LPR and DPR and Crimea’s reunification with Russia, construction of the Crimean bridge (17%). Sport-related responses were also present: performances of the Russian athletes (11%), Sochi Winter Olympics (8%), 2018 World Cup (6%). Every tenth respondent could not single out any event; 37% failed to give an answer.

VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide telephone survey was conducted 4 March, 2023. A total of 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interviews, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. Data were weighted for 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.

Key effectiveness indicators, survey of March 4, 2023:  cooperation rate (CR)* = 0.8353; minimum response rate (MRR)** = 0.0212; response rate (RR)*** = 0.1058. Calculations are based on the corporate standard: https://profi.wciom.ru/principy_standarty/korporativnyj-standart-po-izmereniyu-rezultativnosti-oprosov-sputnik-vciom/

* CR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews and b) non-interviews with eligible respondents.

** MRR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews, b) interrupted interviews after successful screening and c) all the respondents where it is unknown whether they meet the selected criteria or not.

** RR is calculated in the same way as MRR, with the only difference that the number of respondents with unknown eligibility decreases proportional to the percentage of eligible cases in the total number of respondents with identified eligibility or non-eligibility.