Every third Russian believes that the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine could be justified

More than one-third of Russians in a June poll by the Russian Levada Centre believe that the use of nuclear weapons in a war with Ukraine "could be justified". Every tenth respondent "strongly" supports a nuclear attack.

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About 24% believe a nuclear attack is "more likely" justified. According to Russia's only independent opinion poll, the percentage of Russians who support nuclear escalation has increased by five points over the past year, reaching a record high. Although the majority of respondents, 52%, are still against the use of nuclear weapons, their share is decreasing: in April 2023, it was 56%.

Nuclear war is most supported by pensioners who regularly watch Russian television and "approve" of Vladimir Putin's actions. In the age group of people over 55, the percentage of those who approve of the use of nuclear weapons reaches 35%, and among those who consume information from television - as much as 41%.

"The belief that the use of nuclear weapons cannot be justified is more widespread among young Russians (63% of respondents aged 18-24 agree with this opinion). It is even more common among people who believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction (64%), and most common among those who do not accept the actions of the current president (72%)," the researchers' report says.

Russia's military actions in Ukraine primarily make respondents feel proud of Russia (48%) or anxious, afraid and horrified (33%). Since September last year, the percentage of Russians who feel proud of their country has been gradually increasing (an increase of 10 percentage points).

It is worth noting that the survey was conducted on 20-27 June 2024 among a representative all-Russian sample of 1,627 people aged 18 and over in 137 cities and 50 regions of the Russian Federation. The survey was conducted by personal interview at the respondent's home.

Source: Defence 24