As before, Russians consider that the 1993 constitutional crisis was caused by the split within the political elite rather than struggle between the supporters of different ideas, values and approaches towards country’s reforms.
MOSCOW, October 8, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to the views of the 1993 constitutional crisis and whether the use of force was justified to restore order.
Today the awareness of the 1993 political standoff between Yeltsin and the parliament headed by Khasbulatov resulted in mass riots in Moscow is higher (90%) than five years ago (80% in 2013): including 35% of those who are well aware and 55% who heard something. Nine percent say they learned the crisis it during the survey. Those who are well informed about what was happening in 1993 in Moscow are older people (51% among those aged 60 and over). Those who are unaware are mainly young respondents aged 18-24 (34%).
Asked whose side they were on, 32% of respondents say that they did not manage to gain insight into the situation; a further 32% remained undecided (or they say that they were too young or were not born yet). This share is 73% among those aged 18-24. The remainder report they supported the president (24%) rather than the parliament (12%).
The key reason behind the 1993 crisis is the split within the elite (34%; a decrease from 38% in 2013), according to those who are aware of the crisis. Twenty-two percent of respondents consider that there were divergent views between the president and the parliament. Struggle between the supporters of democratic values and the remnants of the Soviet regime is mentioned less frequently (16%). Only 7% say it was a confluence of coincidence.
The share of those who believe that the use of force during the 1993 crisis was justified has decreased (from 69% in 2013 to 63% in 2018). On the contrary, the number of those who oppose this stance has increased (from 17% to 26%).
The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on October 3, 2018. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based 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 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The 2013 results are based on household surveys.
The October 1993 political standoff between president Yeltsin and the parliament headed by Khasbulatov ended up with riots and shooting at the White House, the parliament’s dissolution and extension of the presidential power. How well are you aware of those events? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||
| 2013 | 2018 |
Very well aware | 34 | 35 |
I heard something but I do not know any details/do not remember details | 46 | 55 |
This is the first time I hear about it | 16 | 9 |
Don’t know | 4 | 1 |
The October 1993 political standoff between president Yeltsin and the parliament headed by Khasbulatov ended up with riots and shooting at the White House, the parliament’s dissolution and extension of the presidential power. How well are you aware of those events? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) 2018 | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and over |
Very well aware | 35 | 4 | 20 | 31 | 44 | 51 |
I heard something but I do not know any details/do not remember details | 55 | 62 | 58 | 63 | 51 | 46 |
This is the first time I hear about it | 9 | 34 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Don’t know | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 1993 crisis. Do you remember which side you were on back then? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware or heard of those events) | ||
| 2013 | 2018 |
Yeltsin’s side | 26 | 24 |
Parliament’s side (Khasbulatov, Rutskoy) | 16 | 12 |
I did not manage to take in the situation | 38 | 32 |
Don’t know // I was too young//I was not born yet | 20 | 32 |
This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 1993 crisis. Do you remember which side you were on back then? (closed-ended question, one answer % of those who are aware or heard of those events) 2018 | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and over |
Yeltsin’s side | 24 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 38 | 33 |
Parliament’s side (Khasbulatov, Rutskoy) | 12 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 22 |
I did not manage to take in the situation | 32 | 26 | 26 | 34 | 36 | 32 |
Don’t know // I was too young//I was not born yet | 32 | 73 | 67 | 44 | 13 | 13 |
In your opinion, what was the main cause of the crisis? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware or heard of those events) | ||
| 2013 | 2018 |
Split within elite; desire to keep power by any means | 38 | 34 |
Split views between the president and the parliament concerning reforms and economic development | 22 | 21 |
Fight between the supporters of democratic values and the Soviet system remnants | 19 | 16 |
It was a confluence of circumstances; there were no tangible reasons | 5 | 7 |
Other | 1 | 3 |
Don’t know | 15 | 19 |
In your opinion, what was the main cause of the crisis? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware or heard of those events) 2018 | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and over |
Split within elite; desire to keep power by any means | 34 | 20 | 34 | 30 | 37 | 38 |
Split views between the president and the parliament concerning reforms and economic development | 21 | 27 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Fight between the supporters of democratic values and the Soviet system remnants | 16 | 23 | 13 | 20 | 16 | 13 |
It was a confluence of circumstances; there were no tangible reasons | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
Other | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Don’t know | 19 | 22 | 27 | 20 | 15 | 16 |
Was the use of force on October 3-4, 1993 justified to restore the control over the situation? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware or heard of those events) | ||
| 2013 | 2018 |
Rather yes | 17 | 26 |
Rather not | 69 | 63 |
Don’t know | 14 | 11 |
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!