Results from latest Russian polls are amazing.
Here are results from a survey conducted by the LEVADA CENTER on 21-24 March 2014:
“Which of the following opinions on the annexation of Russian territories of the former Soviet republics, where there is some Russian population, do you approve?”
58 % of respondents said – “Russia has the right, it must protect our people.”
28 % said – “Generally Russia has no right to do so, but in the case of the annexation of Crimea Russia behaves decently and lawfully, in accordance with international law.”
Only 4 % believe that “Russia does not have any right to do it.”
38 % of respondents believe that if “If the population of some other region of Ukraine, in addition to the Crimea, decided by a referendum to secede from Ukraine and to join Russia”; it is “definitely an obligation to make them the part of Russia”.
79% of respondents believe that the annexation of the Crimea is the evidence “That Russia is returning to its traditional role as a ‘great power, asserting its interests in the post-Soviet space.’ “
One of the most popular Russian social networks “Odnoklassniki” (Schoolmates) asked its members if they want Russia to annex Kazakhstan. The answers were:
| Yes – | 6637 |
| No – | 818 |
| I’m from Kazakhstan. Yes – | 1912 |
| I’m from Kazakhstan. No – | 232 |
| I don’t care – | 270 |
Results of another survey, made by the Agency of Social Research, shocked even those who were conducting the survey.
To the question: “Do you support the sending of Russian troops to Ukraine?”
56.8% of respondents answered – yes
19.6% – no.
In Moscow, the most educated and democratic city in Russia:
51% – yes
24% – no.
To the question: “Are you ready to be called in the army to carry out such a mission or send your child to the war?”
52% of all Russians and 49% of Muscovites answered – yes
Among the questions there also was this one: “To what other country you would support sending of Russian troops to safeguard the interests of the Russian Federation.”
It was reported to the press that maximum respondents chose the Baltic countries. Then followed the United States and Japan. The specific figures were not published.
To the question: “Are you ready for sanctions (inability to travel abroad, foreign goods deficit, economic hardship) in the case of active use of Russian armed forces?” 50.4% Russians and 45.2% Muscovites answered – yes.
Here is an excerpt from an article by Uliana Scoybeda, one of the most popular flag waving columnists in Russia today. The new Scoybeda’s article is entitled “I don’t live under occupation any more.”
She starts her article from a statement that in her opinion Russia has been under American occupation since ‘Perestroika’. Then she writes:
“…Last week, listening to the speech by President Putin about the Crimea, I realized that I was mistaken. Clutching my baby, I told him: ‘Look, son, look: you will remember this moment your entire life …’ ”
“To confront the whole world for the sake of our truth and our interests – it means to be in the USSR. And to be prepared to live in poverty (because sanctions by the international community will cause poverty) – it is the USSR. When all the people are ready to use rubber boots instead of leather shoes in order to save the Crimea for us, when helping our brothers in Crimea is more important than having thirty varieties of sausage in our fridges, when the shame of perestroika is finally has been overcome and people are not afraid of even the Iron Curtain, it’s USSR!
“Let them exclude Russia from the Big Eight. USSR has always been isolated. Our people are not sad. They write in social networks: ‘I can’t believe I live in this great time, can’t believe I see it …’
“Hello, Motherland! How much I did miss you! The Soviet Union, like a phoenix, is raised from the ashes… On TV, at a rally in honor of the return of Crimea, on the news It was said many times that the peninsula returned to it’s harbor, to it’s permanent native home. But it is not just Crimea came back. We all got back. Home. In the USSR.”
Scoybeda’s vision of the world is not unique. Here are some further quotes from Russian Internet.
“Today I had a fight over Ukraine with my favorite aunt, the aunt with whom I never disagreed, and could not even imagine that it’s possible… She had a full arsenal of Russian arguments: Crimea is ours, Putin is great, Europe is just a feeder and we do not want this satiated life; let us be cold and hungry, but be proud of our country.”
Some more quotes taken by my Russian friends from messages they received:
“Lately, the feeling of pride for my country overwhelms me. I don’t give a fuck any more, that I have no apartment, have no job, have no place for my kid in a kindergarten. But I have this great patriotic feeling. Yesterday my little kid for the first time said: ‘Russia’ ”!
“God, thank you for Putin! Great respect to you, God! Glory to Russia!”
“You are writing that your life in Europe is better. But I don’t give a shit about it, I’m Russian. I’m ready to live in poverty, but in Russia. I‘m ready to spend my entire life in crap. But the understanding of the fact, that I’m Russian, live in Russia, worms my heart. You will never understand it!”
