According to Russians, the most dangerous thing is transportation including avia transport, rail transport (69%) and public transport (50%).

MOSCOW, September 8, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data about whether Russians are afraid of being the victim of terrorist attacks; whether Russian authorities are capable of protecting the citizens against terrorism, and what objects are most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

The memory of the terrorist attacks in Moscow metro makes Russians be afraid of terrorists more than ever. After the April surge of fear of terrorist attacks resulted from the attacks in Moscow metro, the level of anxiety has slightly decreased, but it is still higher than it was for the recent three years: 75% of respondents are afraid of being the victim of terrorism (82% in April; 61-71% in 2007-2009). Most of those who feel anxiety are women (80% against 70% of men) and metropolitan residents (89% against 69% of rural residents). Thirteen percent of respondents are not afraid of being the victim of terrorism (9% in April this year); other 10% do not even think about that.

Remarkably, the young respondents are least frightened to be the victim of terrorism: 66% among 18-24-year-old respondents; other age groups - 74-78%.

The level of confidence of Russians that the authorities are capable of protecting them against terrorist threat which dropped in April is still the same (37%against 49% in 2009). The share of those who are pessimistic keeps growing (from 21% in 2008 to 53% this year). Those who believe that Russian authorities can provide security are mainly supporters of the United Russia party (49%) and residents of big (43%) and small cities (45%). Those who are skeptical are communists (66%), Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (67%). 

As before, Russians think that the terrorism is basically driven by profit, but the number of those who share the opinion is declining (from 42% in 2006 to 34% this year). On the contrary, more Russians think that terrorists tend to spread Islam all over the world (from 19% in 2005 to 29% currently). As a rule, they are Internet users (31-33%). Russians increasingly believe that terrorists struggle for territorial division of the world (from 25% in 2009 to 28% this year) and strive to destroy western civilization (from 9 to 16%). Every forth Russian still thinks that terrorism refers to the thirst of violence with no specific goals (26%). Those who share this stance are mostly those using Internet (28%). Respondents who think that terrorists try to defend traditional Islamic values (9%) and overcome poverty in poor countries (5%) are in the minority.

The main target of terrorists is transportation. Transportation objects are most vulnerable to terrorists, Russians say: 69% think train stations and airports are most attractive places for terrorist attacks; 50% mention public transport. Hospitals and schools are also dangerous places (58%). Less Russians consider apartment building (41%), concert halls and movie theaters (29%), power stations (25%), police and military premises (23%) to be vulnerable as well. Entertainment buildings such as night clubs (18%), restaurants and cafes (13%) are regarded to be less dangerous. Fourteen percent point out vulnerability of engineering communications; 11% - enterprises and business centers; 10% - administrative premises; 9% - hotels.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on September 4-5, 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!