Support for the war against Ukraine among Russians has only increased since February 2022. Two thirds of the population believe that it is going successfully.
This is evidenced by the survey data of the independent Levada Center.
At the end of February 2023, 77% support the "actions of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine" (a year ago - 68%), 17% do not support it (a year ago - 23%).
There are still slightly more supporters of peace negotiations in society than supporters of the continuation of military operations (50% versus 43%). However, the share of supporters of the continuation has been steadily increasing since October last year, as the shock from the announcement of the mobilization took place, sociologists note.
For the majority of respondents, the best conditions for concluding a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine are the exchange of prisoners of war (85%) and an immediate ceasefire (51%). The respondents consider the rejection of the occupation of Zaporizhzhуа and Kherson regions (67% perceive it as unacceptable), Luhansk and Donetsk regions (71%), as well as Ukraine's accession to NATO (76%) to be unacceptable conditions.
Since November last year, the share of respondents who believe that the "special operation" is progressing successfully has slightly increased. If at the end of autumn 2022, 54% thought so, then in February of this year - 63%. About a quarter (24%) believe that the "military operation" is progressing unsuccessfully.
At the same time, 6% of respondents believe that almost all goals of the "military operation" have been achieved, 66% - that "some goals have been achieved, some - not", and another 18% believe that "almost no goals have been achieved."
The Levada Center survey was conducted on February 21-28, 2023 among 1,626 people. The research is conducted at the respondent's home through a personal interview. Statistical error (probability 0.95) does not exceed 3.4%.
We will remind you that at the end of 2022, the absolute majority of Ukrainians consider the political authorities of Russia guilty of committing war crimes against Ukraine (98%), Russian military personnel are considered guilty by 96%. Citizens of Russia are considered guilty by 87% of respondents, not guilty by only 10%.
