76% of Russians believe that Russian decision to  recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was right. Eighty-four percent of respondents thought so in August   2008.

MOSCOW, September 1, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing the current attitudes of Russians towards the decision to support South Ossetia in Georgian-Ossetian conflict, if Russians keep an eye on the rehabilitation process, and what kind of assistance Russia should provide South Ossetia with.

Three-quarters of respondents believe that Russia was right to have recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgian-Ossetian conflict in August 2008 (76%). Most of them are respondents who keep an eye on the developments in South Ossetia after the conflict (90%) and adherents of the CPRF party (84%). Eight percent of Russians think the Russia was wrong (6% a year ago). They are mainly those who do not know about the current situation in the republic, adherents of LDPR party (11% for each) and metropolitan residents (13%). The proportion of positive attitudes towards this decision has dramatically decreased over the recent year (from 86 to 76%); however, those undecided has doubled (from 7 to 16%).

The same part of respondents (76%) supports the decision of the president D.Medvedev to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia; nevertheless the amount of respondents who share this stance was slightly more right after the conflict (84%). They are basically respondents with high education diplomas (79%), communists and supporters of the United Russia party (80% for each). The number of those who think the president's decision was wrong is 8% (6% two years ago): they are mostly adherents of the Fair Russia party (15%).

Every second Russian believes that the decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is final and not subject to review (51%).Those who think so are basically supporters of the CPRF (51%) and United Russia parties (53%), as well as   those respondents who consider Russian support for South Ossetia to be right (67%) and   those who think that the rehabilitation process is almost over (66%). They are opposed by every fifth respondent (21%): basically adherents of non-parliament parties (36%) and Fair Russia party (29%), those who disapprove of the decision (62%) and think that nothing was achieved in establishing peaceful life in the republic (35%). Over the recent year Russians have increasingly become convinced that Medvedev`s decision to recognize South Ossetia as independent state is irrevocable (from 47 to 51 %); on the contrary, the share of those who think that the agreements can be reviewed has decreased (from 33 to 21%).

Only 7% of respondents track the developments in South Ossetia regularly after the August conflict. Other 41% do it from time to time. Almost half of Russians show no interest (46%) in the conflict. Those who are interested in the process of establishing peaceful  life are mainly communists (14%), respondents of pre-retirement and retirement age (10-11%), high-educated respondents and metropolitan residents (10% for each). Those who track the developments in South Ossetia from time to time are supporters of the Fair Russia party (53%), middle-aged respondents and those with elementary level of education (47% for each). Those who are indifferent to this subject are adherents of the LDPR party (57%), young respondents (59%), those with low level of education and those residing in small towns (53% for each).

According to respondents, what Russia can do for South Ossetia today is providing it with humanitarian aid (32%). This is followed by promoting the independence of republic (21%). Russia could also help in rebuilding facilities (19%), provide military assistance (18%) and promoting statehood (16%). The number of those who think Russia should provide financial resources has twice decreased over the recent year (from 32 to 15%). Nevertheless, more Russians report, now when the conflict is over no help is needed. The share of those who think that the republic should not be helped any more has substantially grown up (from 6 to 16%).

 Fifty-three percent of Russians know nothing about the process of the rehabilitation works in South Ossetia financed by Russia. They are mainly respondents aged 25-44 (47%), metropolitan residents (61%), those residing in North Caucasus and South of Russia (62 and 60% respectively). One-quarter of respondents could assess the process of rehabilitation works in the republic (35%); the majority of them (63%) estimate successes in establishing peaceful life there as average. Other 20% are convinced that the situation has almost not changed over the recent two years: nothing has been done. Simultaneously, the same part of respondents (17%) thinks that infrastructure is almost restored. Those who believe that the restoration has been completed are generally those respondents who keep an eye on the situation in South Ossetia (30%); those who think that the restoration will soon be completed are those who follow the news from time to tome (67%). Those respondents who do not know anything about the situation in the republic report disruptions in rehabilitation works.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on August 21-22, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

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!