Interfax: Concerns grow in Russia about possibility of military conflict with Ukraine – poll

(Interfax – May 6, 2014) Russians keep monitoring Ukrainian events amid growing concerns about the possibility of a military conflict between the two countries, Levada Center told Interfax following an April poll.

Sixty percent of the respondents maintain a close interest in the events evolving in the neighboring state (the indicator stood at 64 percent in late March, 60 percent in early March and 57 percent in February), 30 percent do not pay close attention and 10 percent totally disregard these events.

In the opinion of 44 percent of the respondents Russia somewhat wins the information war with the West concerning Ukraine and Crimea, 31 percent are pessimistic and 24 percent are undecided.

Judging by the poll, 77 percent of Russians are rather concerned about the possibility of a military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The sociologists said the indicator had grown from 66 percent in late March and 63 percent in early March. Some 19 percent do not preoccupy themselves with this issue.

Twenty-eight percent of Russians anticipate an upcoming deployment of Russian forces in Ukraine, 25 percent do not expect that to happen and a relative majority, 39 percent, say “partially yes and partially no”.

In the opinion of 30 percent of the respondents Russia is preparing to send troops to Ukraine. Twenty-four percent argue Russia has never prepared to act in this manner. Twenty percent believe Russia used to be preparing but stopped doing so now. Twenty-six percent failed to answer the question.

Meanwhile, 47 percent of Russians presume that internal conflicts in Ukraine may lead to a civil war (the opinion was shared by 36 percent of the respondents in late March and 22 percent in early March).

Eleven percent believe “the incumbent government and the Verkhovna Rada will hold the election and the situation in the country will normalize”, and another 11percent are confident that the country will stabilize with the deployment of Russian forces.

Some 14 percent say that “Russia’s interference in Ukrainian internal affairs will start an armed confrontation between the two countries.”

Sixty-five percent allow for the possibility of a civil war in Ukraine, 6percent think differently and 25 percent stick to partially yes and partially no.

The sociologists polled 1,602 people in 130 populated localities in 45 regions on April 25-28.