Majority of Russians wants to see Donbas an independent state, but much less willing to accept it as a part of the Russian Federation, all the while denying their responsibility for the bloodshed and deaths in Eastern Ukraine
Such are the results of the public opinion poll of Russian population conducted by Levada-Center. Comparison of these results with the data obtained from the survey of Ukrainian population held by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and Kyiv International Institute of Sociology has shown that popular attitudes in Russia towards the status of Donbas differs much from that in Ukraine.
Relatively majority of Russians (41%) wants to see Donbas an independent state and considerably less of them (23%) are willing to have it inside the Russian state. Even less Russians want Donbas to stay in Ukraine: 17% would agree to that on the conditions of Donbas obtaining more autonomy, while 7% – without such conditions.
Ukrainian and Russian citizens also see events in Donbas differently. The only point of relative consensus relates to acknowledgement of active Russia’s support of pro-Russian forces in the East of Ukraine: 74% Ukrainians and 50% Russians think so, while 15% Ukrainians and 29% Russians disagree. However, assessment of such support deviates fundamentally. 64% Ukrainians put responsibility for bloodshed and deaths in Eastern Ukraine on Russia (27% Ukrainian disagree), while clear majority of Russians – 75% – deny such responsibility (only 16.5% accepts it). Similarly, diametrical opposition can be found in views of Ukrainians and Russians on current situation: 70% Ukrainians think that there is war going on between Ukraine and Russia (only 19% Ukrainians disagree), but 59% Russians deny such claim and only 26% of them agrees with it.
At the same time, Donbas population also clearly differs from Ukrainians from other regions. Only in Donbas, majority of population (56%) sees no war between Ukraine and Russia and even bigger majority (63%) put no responsibility for bloodshed on Russia.
Nation-wide public opinion poll of Ukrainian population was conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and Kyiv International Institute of Sociology during September 9-21, 2014. Totally, 2,035 respondents were interviewed. Statistical error of the sample does not exceed 2.2%.
Public opinion poll of Russian population was conducted by Levada-Center during August 22-25, 2014. Totally, 1,600 respondents were interviewed. Statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.
Do you agree with the claim that Russia actively supports pro-Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine?
| Ukraine | Russia |
Definitely, yes | 49,3 | 12,2 |
Rather, yes | 25,1 | 37,9 |
Rather, no | 8,1 | 21,7 |
Definitely, no | 6,8 | 7,9 |
Difficult to say | 10,6 | 20,3 |
In your opinion, is Russia responsible for bloodhsed and deaths in Eastern Ukraine?
| Ukraine | Russia |
Definitely, yes | 43,7 | 4,5 |
Rather, yes | 18,9 | 12,0 |
Rather, no | 10,2 | 25,4 |
Definitely, no | 16,9 | 49.7 |
Difficult to say | 10,3 | 8,3 |
Do you agree with the claim that there is a war going on between Russia and Ukraine?
| Ukraine | Russia |
Yes | 70,3 | 25,7 |
No | 19,3 | 59,1 |
Difficult to say | 10,4 | 15,2 |
Which option of future status of Donetsk and Luhansk regions do you prefer?
| Ukraine | Russia |
Donbas will remain a part of Ukraine, with the same rights as before | 45,5 | 7,0 |
Donbas will remain a part of Ukraine, but with more autonomy from Kyiv | 32,5 | 17,0 |
Donbas (DPR ans LPR) will become an indepent state | 7,0 | 42,0 |
Donbas will become a part of the Russian Federation | 5,2 | 23,0 |
Difficult to say | 9,8 | 12,0 |
