96 percent of Russians consider Crimea as part of Russia - VCIOM

UFA, 18 March 2016. /Bashinform News Agency, Ksenia Kalinina/. Two years after a historic reunification of Crimea with Russia, Russians still consider this decision as the right one. This is evidenced by data from a survey of All-Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM).

Today, Crimea is associated among Russians with not only sea resorts (35 percent) and generally positive emotions (16), but also with a sense of "Crimea is Ours", the concept of "Russian land" (37). Respondents attributed Sevastopol primarily to the Navy (29), the Great Patriotic War (17).

Attitude towards new subjects of Russia - Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol is positive among the majority of citizens of the country (79). Estimates of these territories joining Russia are close to absolute - 95 percent support this decision. According to a survey conducted in Crimea before the referendum on joining Russia, two years ago 89 percent of Russians considered Crimea as part of Russia, today - 96 percent.

According to 79 percent of Russians, reunification with Russia benefited the inhabitants of the peninsula. It was marked rise in general standard of living, productive economic policies. Those who have an opposite opinion constituted three percent. They mentioned the fact of power supply disruptions.

Reunited with Crimea, Russia proved that it can defend its national interests (92 percent), and the Western countries, eventually, will accept the reunification of Crimea and Russia (84 percent). 82 percent believe that soon Crimea could become a world-class resort, and it is already now considered as the best resort in Russia by 63 percent. 75 percent of citizens believe that Crimea’s joining Russia is only an excuse for the Western sanctions policy, but not its main cause. 20 percent shared the opposite opinion.