According to a recent study, there are now more opponents than supporters in Russia for the first time.
In Russia, the citizens support the president Vladimir Putin to the war of aggression started in Ukraine almost two years ago, the independent Russian media is on the wane Verstka tells. According to a recent study by the independent research group Chronicles, for the first time more Russians support ending the war of aggression than there are supporters of the war in the country.
According to the survey, 40 percent of Russians now support ending the war. Only a third of Russians in the survey support the war. The survey was conducted last October.
Popular support for the protracted war in Ukraine has steadily declined. As recently as February last year, half of Russians said they supported the war. In July, there were only 39 percent of supporters, and last October it was only 33 percent.
Economic situation weakened
Almost half of the Russians who responded to the survey say that their own economic situation has weakened due to the war of aggression and the sanctions imposed on Russia.
– The situation will get worse, because the sanctions are having a stronger effect all the time, says a Russian who participated in a focus group interview conducted alongside the study, according to Verstka.
A little more than half of those who took part in the survey said that they had experienced anxiety because of the war.
– Give us peace, we don’t need anything else, one of the Russians who took part in the interview is said to have said.
Based on the group interviews, the reasons for the people’s war weariness are mainly materialistic. Those who participated in the interview feel that Russia’s economic situation is deteriorating and inflation is increasing.
– Prices rise and real incomes collapse. Many things can no longer be afforded, not even the most important things, says one of the respondents.
According to another, citizens’ salaries have not developed along with the rising price level.
Another important reason for the waning of support for the war of aggression is the Russians’ gloomy future prospects. Many Russians seem to feel that it is not possible to build plans for the future as long as the war continues in Ukraine.
Putin’s support remains
Despite the growing numbers of Russians wishing for an end to the war, Vladimir Putin’s support has remained strong.
According to Verstka, about 65 percent of Russians who use the internet say they trust Putin. According to paper polls, people’s support for the president is 10–15 percent higher, depending on the region.
Correction: 9.1. at 11:15 Earlier, the article incorrectly stated that ending the war would be supported by the majority of Russians. However, 40 percent support ending it.