Specialists from the All-Russian Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) conducted a survey of Russians and found out how likely, in the opinion of the country’s residents, the outbreak of a world war is. According to the survey results, the majority of Russians of all age groups believe that recent Russian policies have helped to reduce the risk of war (53 per cent). Most often, this is the opinion of people over 60 (65 per cent) and respondents aged 46-60 (56 per cent).
The experts found out that more than half of the respondents are worried about the onset of war (54 per cent), and almost all the other half are not afraid of it (41 per cent). In addition, Russians believe that the military situation has not changed over the past 2-3 years (41 per cent), although some are afraid that the likelihood of war has increased (38 per cent). The respondents named political instability in the world as the main reason for this (10 per cent). However, if the third world war happens, nuclear weapons will be used during it, according to 48 per cent of Russians (versus 33 per cent of those who do not believe in this). Anyway, country residents are totally sure that Russia will participate in the war if it happens (76 per cent versus 11 per cent for the “will not participate” answer).
Nevertheless, some residents of the country believe that thanks to the strengthening of Russia’s defences, correct foreign policy, and the global trend towards humanity, the risk of war has decreased. Thus, almost half of the respondents believe that there is no real threat of the outbreak of war now (46 per cent), although 38 per cent think otherwise. Almost all Russians are confident that their country is now well protected from air attacks (78 per cent versus 7 per cent of those who disagree). Finally, almost half of Russians (48 per cent) are confident that the country is now spending enough money on its air defence system. Moreover, 70 per cent of respondents believe that Russia is protected in this regard even better than 5 years ago (versus 3 per cent of those who disagree).
Ru-Main, 15.04.2021
