Most Russians say national armed forces are combat capable - poll

22.02.2011 Most Russians (55%) are sure that national armed forces are capable to defend the country, says the poll held by All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPORC); the poll results were published on the threshold of the Motherland Defenders' Day celebrated on Feb 23.

According to the poll, 44% of respondents assess current state of Russian Army as satisfactory (comparing to 47% in 2010), 29% find it bad (28%), 13% - good (14%).

Neutral or positive appraisals were typical among young pollees. For instance, 47% of satisfactory marks were given to Russian army by 18-24-year old Russians and only 37% - by elderly citizens. Also, young people more frequently than elderly people say our armed forces are in good conditions (18% against 12% respectively). Respondents older than 45 years old mostly adhere to pessimistic views (33% respondents of this group).

On average, opinion about combat worthiness of Russian armed forces has approached estimates of early 2000's. In May 2000, about 61% of Russians were sure that the army was capable to protect the country, now they are only 55% (three years ago 74% respondents held this opinion). The contrary viewpoint is dominant amid 30% pollees (in 2000 – 31%, in 2008 – 17%).

Opinion that national armed forces can stand up to military threats is mostly popular among residents of Ural region (75% locals of Ural) and supporters of "United Russia" party (63% of UR partisans).

Speaking of Russians once served in the military, some part of them finds its state positively (15% respondents of this group). However, most pollees of this kind give negative estimation (34% former servicemen).

All-Russian poll was held by ARPORC in Feb 12-13, 2011. About 1,600 persons were questioned in 138 population centers of 46 regions in Russia. Statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.