Today one-third of Russians consider that the Soviet Union was right to send troops to Afghanistan in 1979.
MOSCOW, February 15, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to what Russians know about the Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979-1989).
Three-quarters of Russians (77%) are aware of the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989). Every tenth (9%) experienced this war; one-quarter (25%) read about the war; and 43% of respondents learned from eyewitnesses. Older generation is more informed about the war than the young people.
According to 42% of respondents, there was no need to send troops to Afghanistan. Those who share this opinion are often residents of North Caucasus and Far Eastern Federal District (50%, each). They are opposed by 31% of Russians (48% among the 18-27-year-olds).
Every fourth respondent (26%) would like to know more about the Soviet War in Afghanistan; remarkably, this share is 39% among those aged 18-24. On the contrary, a majority of respondents (72%) do not want to know about this war more than they do at the moment.
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on February 13, 2019. 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.
Do you know anything about the War in Afghanistan (1979-1989)? If yes, how did you learn about it? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and over |
I/my family experienced/witnessed this war | 9 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 10 |
I learned about it from the eyewitnesses | 43 | 33 | 30 | 43 | 56 | 43 |
I read about it | 25 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 30 |
I know little about it/ I do not know anything at all | 22 | 41 | 39 | 22 | 11 | 15 |
Don’t know | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
February marks 30 years since the Soviet withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. In your opinion, should the Soviet leadership have sent troops to Afghanistan? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and over |
Yes, it was necessary | 31 | 48 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 |
No, there was no need | 42 | 19 | 42 | 40 | 44 | 49 |
Don’t know | 27 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 22 |
Would you like to know more about the Soviet War in Afghanistan? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) |
| ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and over | |
Rather yes | 26 | 39 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 21 | |
Rather no | 72 | 60 | 70 | 72 | 70 | 77 | |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
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!