Moscow, 20 February: Many Russians are still concerned about a foreign military threat to Russia while they are confident the army will be able to protect them, a survey has shown.

Whereas in 2012 some 47 per cent of citizens considered a military threat to Russia real, in 2012 there are 55 per cent of them, the Levada-Centre pollster shared with Interfax results of the all-Russian survey held in January. According to it, 36 per cent of respondents see no such threat whereas two years ago their share stood at 42 per cent.

Some 60 per cent of respondents are confident that the army will be able to protect Russia in case of a true military threat, although their share has lost three percentage points over two years. The number of sceptics has increased significantly, from 22 per cent to 27 per cent.

Asked whether they want their near and dear to be on military service, 53 per cent of respondents answered no, and 37 per cent said they would not mind.

The respondents' concern about their near and dear joining military service has to do with abuse in the army (37 per cent). "Bullying" and "violence in the army" are still named among the main problems of the armed forces.

Commenting on other reasons for this attitude, 21 per cent of respondents mentioned the risk of death or injury of their near and dear, 15 per cent - intimidation by officers, 14 per cent - difficult conditions of service, and 10 per cent each - army collapse and moral decay. Eight per cent consider military service a waste of time, while 7 per cent mentioned crimes in the army, Levada-Centre said.

Bullying and intimidation of young servicemen by officers and senior colleagues are characteristic of most military units, 40 per cent of Russians said. Every fifth respondent (19 per cent) said these were omnipresent.

The survey carried out by Levada-Centre among 1,600 respondents revealed that there are more Russians who would favour the army's transfer to contract service (51 per cent) than those preferring general conscription (43 per cent). According to the pollster, in 2008 these shares stood at 48 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.

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Moscow, 20 February: Many Russians are still concerned about a foreign military threat to Russia while they are confident the army will be able to protect them, a survey has shown.

Whereas in 2012 some 47 per cent of citizens considered a military threat to Russia real, in 2012 there are 55 per cent of them, the Levada-Centre pollster shared with Interfax results of the all-Russian survey held in January. According to it, 36 per cent of respondents see no such threat whereas two years ago their share stood at 42 per cent.

Some 60 per cent of respondents are confident that the army will be able to protect Russia in case of a true military threat, although their share has lost three percentage points over two years. The number of sceptics has increased significantly, from 22 per cent to 27 per cent.

Asked whether they want their near and dear to be on military service, 53 per cent of respondents answered no, and 37 per cent said they would not mind.

The respondents' concern about their near and dear joining military service has to do with abuse in the army (37 per cent). "Bullying" and "violence in the army" are still named among the main problems of the armed forces.

Commenting on other reasons for this attitude, 21 per cent of respondents mentioned the risk of death or injury of their near and dear, 15 per cent - intimidation by officers, 14 per cent - difficult conditions of service, and 10 per cent each - army collapse and moral decay. Eight per cent consider military service a waste of time, while 7 per cent mentioned crimes in the army, Levada-Centre said.

Bullying and intimidation of young servicemen by officers and senior colleagues are characteristic of most military units, 40 per cent of Russians said. Every fifth respondent (19 per cent) said these were omnipresent.

The survey carried out by Levada-Centre among 1,600 respondents revealed that there are more Russians who would favour the army's transfer to contract service (51 per cent) than those preferring general conscription (43 per cent). According to the pollster, in 2008 these shares stood at 48 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.