Russians happier than ever, says opinion poll

What you need to know:

  • “The life satisfaction index in June hit once again its historic record of (79 points), the material well-being index (76 points) and social optimism index (77 points) in June also rose to a new level and stabilised.”

MOSCOW, Thursday

Russians are happier than ever despite being locked in a dramatic confrontation with the West over Ukraine that has seen their country slapped with unprecedented sanctions, according to an opinion poll released on Thursday.

“The social well-being index over the past three months demonstrates an unprecedented increase and stabilisation at an exceptionally high level,” said state-controlled pollster VTsIOM in a new study.

“The life satisfaction index in June hit once again its historic record of (79 points), the material well-being index (76 points) and social optimism index (77 points) in June also rose to a new level and stabilised.”

At the same time, 23 per cent of respondents now believe that a war between Russia and its neighbours is possible, up from 10 per cent one year ago, said the pollster known for its close links to the Kremlin.

However “only a quarter” of Russians said they supported the deployment of troops in eastern Ukraine, the study said.

VTsIOM added that most Russians did not see the West as a military threat.

“Over the past eight years no more than 13 per cent of respondents have noted a real military threat” from the West, it said.

The study of 1,600 people across the country was released after Washington and Brussels unveiled a new round of sanctions against Russia over its support for separatists in Ukraine. (AFP)