Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Russians are less interested in the Syrian conflict.

MOSCOW, October 17, 2016.  Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of the survey describing the Russian attitudes towards the situation in Syria.

Two-thirds of Russians are keeping track of the conflict in Syria (67%); one-fifth of Russians in this share (21%) follow the updates regularly. As early as two months ago, fewer Russians did it: in July this year 40% of Russians reported not to be interested in what was happening in the Middle East; currently this share makes up only 32%. However, two years ago when Russia sent air force to this region, the public attention to this conflict was almost equal to today’s: 68% say they are keeping track of the situation; 31% - not. 

According to 51% of respondents, there is an ongoing war in the Middle East; asked an open-ended question without prompting, 10% say that the situation is an “upheaval”; 6% think it is a combat against terrorism and the ISIL banned in Russia; 4% mention U.S. involvement.

Every third points out an aggravation of the situation in Syria (34%). Almost the same percentage (33%) thinks that the situation is getting neither better nor worse. Fifteen percent say that the situation is normalizing. In March this year, the share of those who thought so was 48%.

Most of Russians (73%) consider that the criticism over the operations of the Russian military in Aleppo is not well-founded (an attempt to weaken Russia, to put pressure on Russia). Six percent oppose this point of view; they are mainly young respondents aged 18 - 24 (13%) rather than those who are older (4% among those age 35-60 and over).  

Asked about Russia’s involvement in the Syrian conflict, one–third of respondents support the current policy of the Russian authorities (32%). Every fifth (21%) says Russia should slow down or take a more conservative approach. The share of those who think that Russia should withdraw (14%) and those who advocate for its active involvement (16%) are almost equal. Remarkably, the percentage of the latter (35%) is bigger among those who keep track of the situation in the Middle East regularly.   

More than half of Russians (53%) fail to specify what consequences the Russian operations may lead to. Twenty-seven percent point out negative consequences including a possible war with the U.S.A. and tense relations with the Western countries. Every tenth (11%) believes that consequences might be positive, in particular, Russia may strengthen its influence in the world and improve its military capabilities.

VCIOM survey was conducted on October 8-9, 2016, in 130 settlements, 46 regions and 9 federal districts of Russia. Sample size was 1600 persons. The survey was conducted with multi-stage stratified sample based on general rule of walking and quotas at the final selection stage; the sample is representative of the Russian population aged 18 and over according to sex, age, education, type of settlement.  The margin of error (taking into account the design effect) with 95% confidence interval does not exceed 3.5%. The survey method is community-based formalized face-to-face interviews. Apart from the margin of error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the field work should be taken into account.

Are you interested in what is happening in Syria, or not?

(closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

October

2015

November

2015

March 12-13, 2016

March 19-20, 2016

July

2016

October

2016

I regularly keep track of the situation in Syria

22

20

20

24

18

21

I am interested from time to time but I do not keep track of the situation regularly

46

49

53

52

42

46

I am not interested in the situation in Syria

31

31

25

23

40

32

Don’t know

1

0

2

1

1

1

Can you describe in two or three words what is happening in Syria?  

(open-ended question, any number of answers, %)

 

Total respondents

War / military actions  

51

Upheaval

10

Combating terrorism  

6

The U.S. is bombing Syria / U.S. intervention  

4

Russia is helping Syria  

3

U.S. – Russia confrontation  

3

Breakdown  of the cease-fire

2

Innocent people are being killed  

1

Fighting for power

1

Country’s recovery  

1

Other

2

Don’t know

25

In our opinion, in what direction has the situation in Syria been evolving lately?

(closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

III.2016

VII.2016

X.2016

The situation is being normalized

48

27

15

The situation is not getting better or worse; nothing is changing

27

34

33

The situation is getting more and more tense, considerably deteriorating

11

13

34

Don’t know

14

26

18

Certain countries and politicians have criticized the actions of the Russian military in Syria, especially in Aleppo. Which statement best describes your point of view?

(closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Aged

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

Their criticism is well-founded: the Russian military exceeded instructions and went too far

6

13

7

4

4

4

Their criticism is not well-founded; it is nothing but an attempt to weaken, to put pressure  on our country

73

61

67

76

77

79

Don’t know

21

26

26

20

19

17

What policy regarding Russia’s involvement in the Syrian conflict should Russian authorities adhere to?

(closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

November  2015

March

2016

October  2016

Russia should take more active part in the Syrian conflict  

15

16

16

Russia should act the way it is acting now

38

35

32

Russia should slow down and take a more conservative approach

22

24

21

Russia should withdraw from the Syrian conflict

13

12

14

Don’t know

12

13

17

In your opinion, what impact may Russia’s involvement in the Syrian conflict have?

(open-ended question, any number of answers, %)

 

Total respondents

It will lead to war  

8

More tense relations with the U.S. and Western countries

6

The situation in Syria will be normalized / cease-fire  

4

Negative consequences  

4

Strengthening of the army / military capabilities  

4

Growth of Russia’s  influence in the world

3

Rapprochement with Syria/ new allies

3

Further weakening of the Russian economy  

2

New sanctions  

2

Terror attacks  

2

More people will die  

2

Expansion of influence in the Middle East  

1

Fall in Russia’s  prestige  

1

Russia will have more enemies

1

No impact 

11

Don’t know

53

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!

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