Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

A terrorist attempt in Crimea was prevented, and 79% of Russians believe that the Russian security agencies will be capable of protecting the population of the peninsula in the future.

MOSCOW, August 22, 2016. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre presents the data of the survey describing the Russian reaction to a terrorist attempt in Crimea.
More than two-thirds of Russians
(67%) heard about that the Federal Security Service of Russia had prevented a terrorist attack on the Crimean peninsula. The awareness level is high among older respondents (83% of those aged 60 and over) and metropolitan residents (81%).

Russians blame Ukrainian authorities for plotting this subversion (37%). Respondents also mention the U.S. among organizers. Other responses did not gain more than 2%.

Seventy-nine percent of Russians do not doubt that Russian authorities are capable of protecting the Crimea’s population. Respondents believe that Russian authorities should strengthen vigilance, control and security at the borders (33%).

The VCIOM survey was carried out on August 13-14, 2016 in 130 settlements, 46 regions and 9 federal districts of Russia. The sample size involved 1600 persons. The survey was conducted with multi-stage stratified sample based on general rule of walking and quotas at the final selection stage; the sample is representative of the Russian population aged 18 and over, according to sex, age, education, type of settlement.  The margin of error (taking into account the design effect) with 95% confidence interval does not exceed 3.5%. The survey method is community-based formalized face-to-face interviews. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the field work can introduce bias into the survey.

This week the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation announced the detention of a group of saboteurs and the prevention of a terrorist attack on the Crimean peninsula. Did you hear about that/ do you hear for the first time?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents 

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

I am well aware of that

26

14

21

25

25

39

I heard something but I do not know any details

41

27

34

41

49

44

This is the first time I hear about that

32

57

43

34

26

16

Don’t know

1

2

2

0

0

1

In your opinion, who sent these saboteurs; who plotted these terror attacks?  (open-ended question, not more than three answers, answers of at least  1% of respondents)

 

Total respondents 

Ukrainian authorities

37

USA

12

Other states

2

ISIL

1

Banderovtsy

1

Ukrainian nationalists

1

Those who make a benefit from that

1

Russia

1

Terrorists

1

Right sector  ("Ukrainian gunmen")

1

Other

1

Don’t know

47

In your opinion, what Russian authorities should do in this situation?

 (open-ended question, not more than three answers, answers of at least  1% of respondents)

 

Total respondents 

Strengthen vigilance, control / provide security at the borders

33

Strengthen border control

4

Continue doing what they do (“continue working quietly”,  “keep on”,  “leave everything as it is”, “they already do what is needed”, “there is nothing to do here”, “everything is done”)

3

Carry on anti-terror actions

3

Set up the order in Crimea  

2

Conduct negotiations / restore peace

2

Strengthen policy towards Ukraine  

2

Punish terrorists severely

1

Stop helping Ukraine

1

Other

3

Don’t know

50

In your opinion, will Russian authorities be capable of protecting the population against new terrorist attacks or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St.Petersburg

Million cities

More than 500 ths

100–500 ths

Less than 100 ths

Rural area

Definitely yes

42

32

46

45

42

40

47

Rather yes

37

46

31

33

38

42

31

Rather no

7

9

7

12

4

6

6

Definitely no

4

2

3

1

6

4

5

Don’t know

10

11

13

9

10

8

11

Note: Using materials from the websites 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.

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