Lev Gudkov explains persisting optimism of Russian residents on situation in Northern Caucasus by events in Ukraine

Residents of Russia remain optimistic about the situation in Northern Caucasus. This was proven by the results of the survey conducted by the "Levada Centre". The survey results indicate that the people have switched their attention to the events in Ukraine. This was stated by Lev Gudkov, Director of the "Levada Centre", when he commented on the received information.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that, according to the survey conducted by the "Levada Centre" on March 21-24, the Russian residents showed a burst of optimism concerning the situation in the Caucasus. According to sociologists, the burst of optimism was caused by Crimea's joining to Russia.

According to the "Levada Centre", in May 2013, 18% of respondents described the situation in the region as prosperous, and 72% described it as critical or explosive. And at present, the figures are 44% and 43%, respectively.

According to Lev Gudkov, such sentiments "can hold long enough", since "on its scale and duration, the current anti-Ukrainian campaign can be compared with anti-Chechen campaign in the fall of 1999, when the authorities established full control over the media space."

According to the calculations made by the "Caucasian Knot", in 2013, in Northern Caucasus, the number of civilian casualties grew by 17.5% in comparison with 2012 and amounted to 249 persons. Find the complete analysis of the situation in the section "Statistics of victims in Northern Caucasus."

See earlier reports: "Experts find stronger control over Muslims' appearance in Chechen mosques counterproductive", "US State Department: conflict in North Caucasus led to numerous human rights violations", "Authors of the report “The North Caucasus: Quo Vadis?”: With use of force, a social explosion is inevitable".