6 December 2021. VCIOM presents the findings of a survey among Russians on the USSR.
Mostof Russians (82%) are aware what the USSR acronym stands for; 19% are unaware. Correct answers were given by 94-95% of older Russians and only 59-60% of young respondents.
When asked what republics the USSR comprised, a majority cite the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (65%), Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (59%), and Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (49%). In addition, 48% could remember the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic; also respondnets cited Lithuanian and Latvian Soviet Socialist Republics (45%, each).
Only 6% of respondents could correctly cite all the fifteen republics; 28% could name 10 to 14 republics; 28%, only 5 to 9 republics; 12%, 1 to 4. Twenty-seven percent of Russians could not remember any republic.
The most common things the USSR evokes in mind are belief in the bright future (21%), positive emotions (13%), childhood (11%) and multinational country (10%).
All-Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted November 24, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Let’s talk about the USSR. Do you know or not know what the USSR stands for? If you know, can you denote the abbreviation? (open-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
|
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics | 82 | 83 | 81 | 59 | 60 | 76 | 94 | 95 |
|
Other | 8 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 2 | 2 |
|
No idea / Don’t know | 10 | 10 | 11 | 27 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 3 |
|
Do you know or not know what republics the USSR encompassed? If you know, can you list all of them? (open-ended question, up to 15 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total |
Ukrainian SSR | 65 |
Byelorussian SSR | 59 |
Uzbek SSR | 49 |
Kazakh SSR | 48 |
Latvian SSR | 45 |
Lithuanian SSR | 45 |
Georgian SSR | 44 |
Tajik SSR | 44 |
Armenian SSR | 44 |
Estonian SSR | 41 |
Azerbaijan SSR | 40 |
Moldavian SSR | 36 |
Kirghiz SSR | 35 |
RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) | 28 |
Turkmen SSR | 28 |
I don’t know | 8 |
Other (specify) | 14 |
Don’t know | 16 |
Do you know or not know what republics the USSR encompassed? If you know, can you list all the republics? (open-ended question, up to 15 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total |
One republic was listed | 1 |
2 republics were listed | 3 |
3 republics were listed | 4 |
4 republics were listed | 4 |
5 republics were listed | 5 |
6 republics were listed | 6 |
7 republics were listed | 5 |
8 republics were listed | 6 |
9 republics were listed | 6 |
10 republics were listed | 6 |
11 republics were listed | 5 |
12 republics were listed | 6 |
13 republics were listed | 5 |
14 republics were listed | 6 |
15 republics were listed | 6 |
None was listed | 27 |
What associations do you have when you hear “Soviet Union”? Please say the first word that comes to mind. (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents, answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total |
Belief in bright future / stability / calmness / confidence in future | 21 |
Positive emotions / nostalgia / joy / warm, nice memories | 13 |
Childhood / teen years/ youth / young parents / grandmothers, grandfathers | 11 |
Multinational country / friendship of peoples / unity / cohesion / fraternity of peoples | 10 |
Good, free education | 8 |
Another power / Stalin / Lenin / Brezhnev / Gorbachev / Khrushchev | 8 |
It was a good time / life was better / we lived in a better way / happy life | 8 |
My Motherland / a strong, powerful, huge country / a great power | 7 |
Pioneer camps / pioneer / komsomol / pioneer scarf / pins | 6 |
Red flag / hammer and sickle / anthem / coat of arms | 5 |
Deficit / queues in stores / coupons | 5 |
Friendly, honest, happy people / people treated each other in a different way / there was mutual help | 5 |
Social justice / equality / no division between the rich and the poor / socialism | 4 |
There was nothing good / cheating people / limitation of freedom / poor population / injustice / standstill | 4 |
Total employment / hard work / no unemployment / many jobs | 4 |
Safety / protection / order | 4 |
Good healthcare / free, available medicine | 3 |
Soviet cars / sparkling water vending machines / call boxes / school uniform / folk costumes | 3 |
Victory in the Great Patriotic War / Victory Parade | 3 |
Country development / five-year plans / economic growth / development of technologies | 3 |
Boredom / sadness / regret / it would be good to get back | 3 |
Holidays / parades / demonstrations | 3 |
Free accommodation / affordable house | 3 |
Social protection / care for people / stable salaries and pensions / government help | 2 |
Industry and agriculture / factories and plants were working / fields were sown / there were kolkhozes | 2 |
Free tour vouchers / trips across the country / affordable travelling / sanatoriums | 2 |
Communism | 2 |
Affordable / low prices | 2 |
There was more freedom / opportunities | 2 |
Pride for the country / respect | 2 |
High-quality natural products and things | 2 |
Tasty ice cream / milk / sausage | 2 |
Space exploration / the first in space / Gagarin’s flight | 2 |
Other | 13 |
Don’t know | 12 |