The St Petersburg metro explosion drew a wide response among Russians but it did not lead to panic, according to VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus surveys.

MOSCOW, April 13, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the public assessments of the St. Petersburg metro terrorist attack.

The tragedy that took place in the St Petersburg’s metro on April 3 drew a wide response among the public: 98% of Russians heard about the blast that killed people. About a third of Russians (30%) believe that the attack was organized by the ISIL; 12% blame terrorists/militants.  

Approximately half of respondents (52%) suppose that the terrorist attack could have been predicted; they are opposed by 40%.

According to 60% of Russians, the threat of international terrorism has escalated over the recent years (17% say it has weakened). The Index of Fear of Being a Terrorism Victim amounts to 51 p. today (in summer 2016, after the Nice terrorist attack, it was almost the same (49 p.)). Over the entire period of measurement the index did not go beyond 37-55 p. (in the 10-90 range). Seventy-eight per cent of respondents express fears of being a terrorist attack victim.

At the same time, the public confidence in the authorities’ capabilities to protect people against terrorist attacks in the future has considerably increased (from 38 to 52 p.; with a minimum of -100 and a maximum of 100), compared to the previous year assessments. The VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey data suggest that three-quarters of Russians (75%) consider that the authorities are not capable of protecting them against new terrorist attacks. Respondents say that security measures should be toughened (26%) and public vigilance should be increased (15%) to reduce the terrorist threat.

*Index of Fear of Being a Terrorism Victim. The Index is based on the question “Are you afraid that you/your relatives may become victims of terrorist attacks?” Coefficients from 0.9 to 0.1 are assigned to answers. The Index is measured in points and can vary between 10 and 90. The higher the value of Index is, the higher is respondents’ fear of being victims of terrorist attack is.

**Index shows respondents’ subjective assessments regarding the authorities’ capabilities to protect them against terror attacks. The indicator is calculated as the difference of positive and negative answers to the question “In your opinion, will the Russian authorities be capable of protecting the population against new terrorist attacks?” The Index is measured in points and can vary between -100 and 100. The higher the value of Index is, the higher the confidence in protection is.  

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on April 7-9, 2017, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1800 respondents. Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. 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.

The results for the 2000-2016 surveys are based on household interviews.

* In April 2010, the question referred to Moscow terrorist attacks.
** In November 2013, the question referred to the bus blast in Volgograd.
*** In January 2014, the question was asked after the Volgograd attack.
**** In July 2016, the question was asked after the Nice terrorist attack.

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!