A poll has shown that 52 per cent of Russians approve of the Armed Forces, while the approval level of the activities of the political parties, the judicial system and trade unions does not exceed 30 per cent, sociologists from VTsIOM (the state-funded All-Russia Centre for the Study of Public Opinion) told corporate-owned Interfax news agency on 21 February.

According to the poll, the Armed Forces provoke among Russians, first of all, a feeling of respect (35 per cent), which is more than in 2008 (29 per cent). Respondents also experienced feelings of hope (27 per cent) and pride (26 per cent) and 44 per cent said they would approve if their son or grandson chose to become a soldier.

Meanwhile, 55 per cent of those participants expressed confidence that there is currently no real military threat to Russia; others named America (13 per cent), Canada (10 per cent), NATO (4 per cent), Japan and Georgia (3 per cent each) as sources of danger. However, 55 per cent of Russians are sure that the army is capable of protecting the country from a military threat.

Equal numbers of respondents view the military training of Russian troops positively and negatively (30 per cent each). Two-thirds (68 per cent) of respondents assess the equipping of the army with modern arms and equipment as average and higher.

Most respondents (68 per cent) know about the reform of the Russian Armed Forces to some extent or other; 67 per cent of respondents think the reforms are needed, although 55 per cent believe that they are insufficient.

VTsIOM first deputy general director Konstantin Abramov told Interfax that 80 per cent of Russians believe that basic military training should be reintroduced in schools.

He also said that 45 per cent of Russians do not want their relatives to undertake conscript or contract army service or to enter a military academy. "Most of those who are dissatisfied are in Moscow and St Petersburg," Abramov said.

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A poll has shown that 52 per cent of Russians approve of the Armed Forces, while the approval level of the activities of the political parties, the judicial system and trade unions does not exceed 30 per cent, sociologists from VTsIOM (the state-funded All-Russia Centre for the Study of Public Opinion) told corporate-owned Interfax news agency on 21 February.

According to the poll, the Armed Forces provoke among Russians, first of all, a feeling of respect (35 per cent), which is more than in 2008 (29 per cent). Respondents also experienced feelings of hope (27 per cent) and pride (26 per cent) and 44 per cent said they would approve if their son or grandson chose to become a soldier.

Meanwhile, 55 per cent of those participants expressed confidence that there is currently no real military threat to Russia; others named America (13 per cent), Canada (10 per cent), NATO (4 per cent), Japan and Georgia (3 per cent each) as sources of danger. However, 55 per cent of Russians are sure that the army is capable of protecting the country from a military threat.

Equal numbers of respondents view the military training of Russian troops positively and negatively (30 per cent each). Two-thirds (68 per cent) of respondents assess the equipping of the army with modern arms and equipment as average and higher.

Most respondents (68 per cent) know about the reform of the Russian Armed Forces to some extent or other; 67 per cent of respondents think the reforms are needed, although 55 per cent believe that they are insufficient.

VTsIOM first deputy general director Konstantin Abramov told Interfax that 80 per cent of Russians believe that basic military training should be reintroduced in schools.

He also said that 45 per cent of Russians do not want their relatives to undertake conscript or contract army service or to enter a military academy. "Most of those who are dissatisfied are in Moscow and St Petersburg," Abramov said.