User:Johncdraper/sandbox

Polling in Russia is a challenge due to the autocratic nature of the Putin regime, which generates effects like self-censorship and, once the invasion started, military censorship. A majority of Russians polled supported the war prior to and immediately after the invasion, according to different measures by different polls in February and March 2022. A pre-invasion poll, conducted on 7-15 February by the British agency Savanta ComRes for CNN, found that approximately half of respondents agreed that Moscow should "use military force to prevent Kiev from joining NATO." Another two-thirds stated that they think Russians and Ukrainians are "one people," compared to only 28% of Ukrainians.

Another poll, conducted by the Russian Levada Center on 17-21 February, found that 52% of Russians polled expressed negative sentiments towards Ukraine. Another 60% believed that the United States and NATO are responsible for the escalation in Eastern Ukraine, while only 4% blamed Russia. The polls alsosuggested that public approval of Putin had surged by 13 percentage points since December 2021, a rally 'round the flag effect, with almost three-quarters (71%) supporting his leadership by February 2022.

In late February and mid-March 2022, two polls were conducted by a group of independent Russian sociologists to survey Russians' sentiments about the invasion; the results owere obtained by Radio Liberty. The polls showed that just over 71% of Russians surveyed expressed positive emotions regarding the invasion of Ukraine, such as "pride, joy, respect, trust, and hope". Older respondents were more likely to support the invasion, with Russians over 35 being more likely to express positive emotions, and with these sentiments being even more prominent in those over 55, in which category more than half supported the invasion. Those under 18 were more "disappointed and anxious" about the war than other age groups; Russians aged 18-24 were more likely to feel indifference. The differences between the first and second polls show an increase in the number of people supporting the "special military operation" and DPR and LPR independence. The polls also revealed that a third of Russians surveyed strongly believe that Putin is "working in their interests," and another 26% believe that is true "to some extent." Most Russians polled think that it would be best if Putin stayed president for "as long as possible."

Another poll by the Washington Post, conducted a week into the invasion, showed similar results, with 58% approving the invasion while 23% opposed it. A private survey agency, Russian Field, likewise reported that 59% of respondents supported "Russian military action in Ukraine" in polls conducted from 26 to 28 February 2022. According to the poll, of 18-to-24-year-olds, only 29% supported the invasion.

At the end of March, a poll conducted in Russia by the Levada Center found the following: When asked why they think the military operation is taking place, 43% of respondents stated it was to protect and defend civilians, ethnic Russians or Russian speakers in Ukraine, 25% to prevent an attack on Russia, 21% to get rid of nationalists and "denazify" Ukraine, and 3% to incorporate Ukraine and/or the Donbas region into Russia.

As detected by the polls, some observers noted a "generational struggle" among Russians over the war, with younger Russians generally opposed, and older Russians more likely to accept the narrative of state-controlled media in Russia. Kataryna Wolczuk, an associate fellow of Chatham House's Russia and Eurasia programme, said, "[Older] Russians are inclined to think in line with the official 'narrative' that Russia is defending Russian speakers in Ukraine, so it's about offering protection rather than aggression."