Enthusiasm about the annexation of Crimea among Russians has dropped in the past few months, according to a Lebada Center poll. The news was reported by the opposition’s Dozhd news–a report that contrasts with the reports of official Russian government news outlets, which have reported that Russians are becoming more accepting of the annexation of Crimean into the Russian Federation.
Russian media outlets have been reporting the poll as showing that more Russians support the annexation–citing a number of 73 percent up from 64 percent. However, Dozhd has reported that this figure shows merely that 73 percent of Russians consider Crimea to be part of Russia, up from 64 percent.
The poll asked Russians about the joy they experienced as a result of the annexation of Crimea as well as approval of the nation’s leadership and the willingness of Russians to reduce personal spending to finance the new region of Russian territory.
Joy about the annexation has dropped from 23 percent to 16 percent. Approval of the actions of the Russian government regarding Crimea dropped from 47 percent to 40 percent. Pride in Russia as a result of the annexation dropped from 37 percent to 30 percent.
Commenters have seen a connection between rising criticism of the Russian government and the recent formation of “anti-Maidan popular militias,” called druzhinniki, which will begin work in several regions of Russia this month, including Crimea.
The officially stated purpose of the druzhinniki militias is to monitor the situation, prevent anti-government opposition, acts of provocation and non-systemic opposition that may threaten the constitutional order, and otherwise assist police.
The poll was taken August 22-25 in 134 Russian cities and towns and 1,600 Russian participants.
By Day Blakely Donaldson