Sociologists state optimism in Russians about situation in Northern Caucasus

Opinions of Russians about the situation in Northern Caucasus and ways of further development of the region remain unchanged. According to the sociology poll conducted in July by the "Levada Centre", the number of optimists is by 12% higher that the number of pessimists. In the opinion of sociologists, the lack of information about the situation in the region is affecting Russians' viewpoints.

Another opinion poll among Russians, who were asked about the situation in Northern Caucasus, was conducted by the "Levada Centre" on July 17-20.

According to its outcomes, 46% of respondents assess the situation in the region as peaceful and trouble-free. The assessment remains about the same level, with account of the sociological error, since March 2014, except for March this year, when the level of approval soared up to 54%.

In July, 34% of respondents treated the situation in Northern Caucasus as tense (last year and early this year, the figure was about 40%).

As stated by Alexei Grazhdankin, the deputy director of the "Levada Centre", an overturn in the attitude to the situation in Northern Caucasus occurred over a year ago.

"In March 2014, at the background of the events in Ukraine, the situation in Northern Caucasus began looking more favourable; and this situation continues to this day," Alexei Grazhdankin told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Denis Volkov, the head of the development department of the "Levada Centre", has confirmed that indeed, during the last year, there were no changes in the opinion of Russians on the situation in Northern Caucasus; it has to do with the euphoria in relation to the Crimea.

Alexei Levinson, head of Social and Cultural Studies Department in Levada Center, also streeses that the survey results reveal absolute consistency of Russians’ perceptions regarding this issue.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.