Interfax: Russians still proud of their country, though number decreasing – survey

MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) – Russians are more proud of living in Russia than of Russia itself, sociologists said.

The share of Russian citizens who are not proud of their country has recently grown notably – from 34% in 2010 to 40%, while 53% respondents (against 88% in 2010) are proud of contemporary Russia, the Levada Center told Interfax following a poll held among 1,603 people in 45 Russian regions on October 25-28.

When asked whether they were proud to live in Russia, 70% said yes and 22% – no (against 88% and 11% in 2010), the survey showed.

Currently 52% Russian citizens feel freedom in Russian society and 39% have no such feeling, sociologists said. The majority of respondents (78%) admitted they personally had no influence on the political or economic life in Russia, 3% said they did and 14% believe they have some impact, the Levada Center said.