Russians consider that the situation in Syria after the possible chemical attack has aggravated; they say that the current Syrian president should be helped in this situation.
MOSCOW, April 26, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a study describing the Russian assessments of the situation in Syria.
After the possible use of chemical weapons in Douma, an overwhelming majority of Russians follow the developments in Syria (88%); 39% say that they keep a sharp eye on what is happening there (an increase from 22% in February 2018).
The number of those who consider that the situation in Syria is dramatically deteriorating has considerably increased: only 17% thought so in February this year compared to 45% in April. According to a quarter of Russians (26%), the situation is being normalized; 19% say the situation is getting neither better nor worse.
Two-thirds of respondents (66%) state that if the USA initiates a military operation against the Syrian government, Russia should assist Bashar al-Assad; this share is higher among men (76%) and respondents aged 60 and over (75%).
Generally, 39% of Russians support the current Russian policy in Syria (an increase from 34% in February 2018). Every fifth respondent (22%) considers that Russia should slow down or adopt a prudent position. The percentage of those who support more active involvement of Russia in the Syrian conflict has increased (from 14% to 17%); on the contrary, the percentage of those who say that Russia should withdraw from the conflict has decreased (9%).
The shares of Russians who point out positive and negative consequences of Russia’s involvement in Syria are almost equal (33% and 30%, respectively). Respondents mention a threat of attack on Russia and even a new world war (9%) among negative consequences; as to positive consequences, Russians point to the normalization of the situation in the region (11%), and Russia’s strengthened global position (7%).
The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 14-15, 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The 2015-2016 results are based on household surveys.
Are you personally interested to know about the situation in Syria? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||||||
| X. 2015 | XI. 2015 | III.2016 | VI.2016 | X.2016 | I.2017 | IV.2017 | IX.2017 | II.2018 | IV.2018 |
I follow the situation regularly and attentively | 22 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 29 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 39 |
Occasionally, not regularly | 46 | 49 | 53 | 42 | 46 | 58 | 60 | 56 | 62 | 49 |
Not interested at all | 31 | 31 | 24 | 40 | 32 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 15 | 11 |
Don’t know | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
In your opinion, in what direction has the situation in Syria been evolving lately? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||||
| III.2016 | VII.2016 | X.2016 | IV.2017 | IX.2017 | II.2018 | IV.2018 |
The situation is being normalized | 48 | 27 | 15 | 39 | 58 | 38 | 26 |
The situation is getting neither better nor worse; nothing is changing | 27 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 22 | 25 | 19 |
The situation is getting more and more tense/deteriorating | 11 | 13 | 34 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 43 |
Don’t know | 14 | 26 | 18 | 9 | 12 | 20 | 12 |
In your opinion, what policy regarding Russia's participation in the Syrian crisis should the Russian government follow? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||
| XI.2015 | III.2016 | X.2016 | II.2018 | IV.2018 |
Russia should take part in the Syrian conflict more actively | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 |
Russia should act the same way as now | 38 | 35 | 32 | 34 | 39 |
Russia should slow down and adopt a prudent position | 22 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 22 |
Russia should withdraw from Syria | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
Don’t know | 12 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 |
In your opinion, what consequences may the Russian involvement in the Syrian conflict lead to? (open-ended question, not more than 3 answers, %) | |
| Total respondents |
Positive consequences (the total sum of answers is 33%) | |
Everything will be fine / everything will normalize / Russia will win | 11 |
Strengthening of Russia’s global influence / Russia will gain more respect / protection of Russian interest | 7 |
Peace will be restored in Syria / Improvement of situation in Syria | 5 |
Combating terrorism / elimination of terrorism | 2 |
Alliances / partnership with Syria (including economic partnership) | 2 |
Improvements in weapons / demonstration of new weapons / protection of boundaries | 2 |
Friendship between peoples / friendship between countries / improving relationships | 1 |
Humanitarian aid to Syria / assistance to civilians | 1 |
Increase of influence in the Middle East | 1 |
Russia should be involved | 1 |
Negative consequences (the total sum of answers is 30%) | |
Threat of attack on Russia/ military actions / third world war | 9 |
Negative consequences | 6 |
Conflict with the U.S. and the West / deterioration of relations with other countries / isolation | 5 |
Sanctions / strengthening of sanctions | 3 |
Financial loss / economic problems | 3 |
Deaths of Russian civilians / our military | 1 |
Impoverishment of population / aggravation of internal situation | 1 |
Terrorist attacks in Russia | 1 |
Strengthening of Russia / development of economy | 1 |
Neutral/uncertain consequences | |
None | 6 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know / depending on the circumstances | 41 |
The USA and certain countries accused the Syrian authorities (president Bashar al-Assad) of using chemical weapons. This resulted in a number of strict measures against Syria. In your opinion, if the USA start a military operation in Syria against the official Syrian government, should Russia provide military assistance to the Syrian government? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Definitely yes | 35 | 47 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 36 | 38 | 44 |
Rather yes | 31 | 29 | 34 | 34 | 37 | 28 | 30 | 31 |
Rather not | 12 | 9 | 13 | 27 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 |
Definitely not | 6 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
Don’t know | 16 | 10 | 22 | 8 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
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