MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - People's support for the Russian president is growing - 70% of Russians said they approved of Vladimir Putin's work in May, the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) said on Thursday.

The number of people supporting the president grew by 6% since February, while the number of those who were dissatisfied with Putin's work reduced from 27% to 22%.

People's trust in the Russian government and State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) has grown, as well. In May 2005, 30% of Russians approved of the government and 55% disapproved. Trust in the government was decreasing in January-April and slightly increased in May, VTsIOM said. As for the State Duma, 22% approved of its work in May, as compared to 18% in February.

Vladimir Putin has the lead in the trust rating (40%). He is followed by leader of the Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Vladimir Zhirinovsky (10%), Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu (9%) and State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov (9%).

Meanwhile, RAO UES (Russia's state-owned electricity monopoly) CEO Anatoly Chubais, Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Communist Party (KPRF) leader Gennady Zyuganov have the lead in the mistrust rating with 29%, 27% and 16% respectively.

VTsIOM conducted four polls on these issues in May with 1,600 people in 153 settlements being polled each time.