Support The Moscow Times!

Forty Percent of Russians Don't Know Why Ruble's Value Is Plummeting

The ruble has been plummeting to low after low this year. Maxim Stulov / Vedomosti

As Russia's ruble hemorrhages value, more than 40 percent of Russians are unable to explain why the currency is depreciating, even as the majority admit that it is bound to impact their lives, a poll published Friday showed.

The ruble continued its months-long slide on Friday, falling 0.6 percent against the U.S. dollar by evening. The ruble has collapsed more than 20 percent against the dollar this year under pressure from a plunge in oil prices, a strong dollar and Western sanctions over the war in eastern Ukraine.

But when Russian citizens were asked what was behind the currency's fall, 41 percent couldn't provide an answer, a study by state-run pollster the Public Opinion Foundation found.

Of 1,500 respondents, 23 percent blamed United States and European Union sanctions against Russia for pushing down the ruble.

Another 10 percent pointed to the war in eastern Ukraine; 8 percent blamed problems in the Russian economy, which is running close to zero growth this year; and 6 percent said spoiled relations with the West were responsible.

Only 5 percent pointed to the falling oil price. Brent oil was below $90 dollars per barrel on Friday, down from a high of $113 in July.

Nonetheless, a majority of respondents expect to be affected: 41 percent said they believe changes in the ruble exchange rate will have an "acute" impact on their lives, while another 20 percent anticipate a "weak" impact.

The survey was conducted in 100 towns and cities across Russia and had a margin of error not exceeding 3.6 percent.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more