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Slow thaw

Russians Feel More Positive Toward Ukraine Since Zelenskiy’s Election, Poll Says

A prisoner exchange between the two countries last month also influenced Russians' improving opinions of their neighbor.

'Moscow case'

Almost 40% of Russians Call Moscow Protest Convictions 'Politically Motivated' – Poll

Human Rights Watch has called the mass-unrest and police-assault charges against 17 people excessive and groundless.

'economic anxiety'

Xenophobia Is Still On the Rise in Russia – Poll

The increase in negative attitudes toward migrants comes amid rising worries over poverty, experts said.

Prevalence of abuse

Domestic Violence Affects 1 in 3 Russians, Poll Says

“Given the sensitivity of the topic ... in an interview setting, we can assume that the share may be higher,” the polling agency said.

Public perception

Most Russians Don’t Believe ‘Western Meddling’ Is to Blame for Moscow Protests, Poll Says

“The Western conspiracy talking point has failed,” the head of the Levada Center pollster said.

Public influence

1 in 5 Russians Believe They Can Influence the Government, Poll Says

The poll results indicate “an attempt to state that ‘we exist’ and ‘we have an opinion’,” one sociologist said.

Public opinion

Muscovites More Likely to Support Opposition Protests Than Oppose Them – Poll

More than three-quarters of Muscovites said they are at least somewhat aware of the protests.

Reminiscing

Russians Say Soviet Rule Was ‘Closer to People’ Than Current Regime – Poll

When asked to characterize Russia's current leadership, 41% of respondents called it “criminal and corrupt.”

Transfer of power

Number of Russians Opposed to Putin’s Re-Election Reaches 6-Year High – Poll

Aides and advisers are working on ways to allow Putin to prolong his rule past 2024.

Slow recovery

Putin’s Approval Rating Steadily Increases to 68%, Survey Says

Last year's reforms increasing Russians’ retirement ages have left a dent in the president's approval rating.

Pessimistic outlook

4 in 10 Russians Say Country on the Wrong Track – Survey

The share of Russians who hold this view reached a 12-year high this year.

Levada Center

Majority of Russians Believe Top Politicians Are Lying to Them – Poll

Russians’ trust in institutions has reached record lows since an unpopular increase in the retirement age late last year.

Levada Center

Disapproval With Country’s Course Hits 12-Year-High in Russia – Poll

Recent polls suggest that Putin’s approval rating has dropped to five-year lows, while a majority of Russians have said they blame the president for...

Defense

Majority of Russians Believe There Is a Threat of War – Poll

A record 88 percent of respondents said the Russian military was “ready to defend the country in the event of a real military threat.”

Levada Center

Russians’ Belief in Country’s Superpower Status Reaches 20-Year High – Poll

88 percent of respondents say Russia must preserve its status as a great power – a historic high.

Putin

Putin's Ratings in 2018, a Sign of Things to Come? An Interview With Alexei Levinson

Alexei Levinson, the Levada Center’s head of research, discusses the science behind Vladimir Putin’s ratings.

opinion

Vladimir Ruvinsky

Why Violence Is Becoming the Norm in Russia (Op-ed)

A recent survey shows that Russians are increasingly tolerant of violence and cruelty.

opinion

Do Russians Really Believe Moscow Didn’t Interfere Abroad? (Op-ed)

In informal conversations, far more people allow for the possibility that Russia poisoned Skripal than recent polls show.

Putin

Trust in Putin Drops to 39% as Russians Face Later Retirement, Poll Says

Trust in President Vladimir Putin has dropped by 20 points in a year.

Levada Center

Russians Are Most Unhappy With Putin Over Wealth Inequality — Poll

Respondents faulted Putin for unequal wealth distribution, while lauding him for returning Russia to the status of a "great respected power."

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