The Russians are increasingly doubtful that Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be independent states, Russian Interfax news agency reported on 8 August, quoting an opinion poll carried out by the Levada-Centre polling organization in late July.

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Currently, less than half of the Russian people believe that Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be independent states (41 per cent and 43 per cent respectively), although a year ago 53 per cent thought so, Interfax learnt at the Levada-Centre. "

According to sociologists, over the past year the number of those who want to see Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the Russian Federation has increased significantly: from 25 per cent to 34 per cent and 23 per cent to 35 per cent, respectively. Those who want to see these regions as part of Georgia are still in a minority, 9 per cent and 8 per cent.

Nearly half of the respondents (48 per cent) believe that the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia made no difference for Russia, 11 per cent believe that this damaged Russia's interests, and more than a quarter (28 per cent) think the opposite.

Since last year, the number of Russians who have negative feelings about Georgia has fallen from 50 per cent in July 2011 to 43 per cent this year; and another 43 per cent say they like Georgia (37 per cent in July 2011).

The poll was carried out by the Levada-Centre among 1,600 Russian citizens in 45 regions in late July.

Providing background to the story, Interfax wrote: "In the early hours of 8 August 2008 Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia and destroyed part of its capital, Tskhinval. Protecting the people of South Ossetia, many of whom had taken Russian citizenship, Russia sent troops into the republic and after five days of fighting ousted Georgian troops from the region. At the end of August 2008 Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."

Keywords: Russia, Georgia - Russian News - Russia - Johnson's Russia List

The Russians are increasingly doubtful that Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be independent states, Russian Interfax news agency reported on 8 August, quoting an opinion poll carried out by the Levada-Centre polling organization in late July.

file photo
Currently, less than half of the Russian people believe that Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be independent states (41 per cent and 43 per cent respectively), although a year ago 53 per cent thought so, Interfax learnt at the Levada-Centre. "

According to sociologists, over the past year the number of those who want to see Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the Russian Federation has increased significantly: from 25 per cent to 34 per cent and 23 per cent to 35 per cent, respectively. Those who want to see these regions as part of Georgia are still in a minority, 9 per cent and 8 per cent.

Nearly half of the respondents (48 per cent) believe that the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia made no difference for Russia, 11 per cent believe that this damaged Russia's interests, and more than a quarter (28 per cent) think the opposite.

Since last year, the number of Russians who have negative feelings about Georgia has fallen from 50 per cent in July 2011 to 43 per cent this year; and another 43 per cent say they like Georgia (37 per cent in July 2011).

The poll was carried out by the Levada-Centre among 1,600 Russian citizens in 45 regions in late July.

Providing background to the story, Interfax wrote: "In the early hours of 8 August 2008 Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia and destroyed part of its capital, Tskhinval. Protecting the people of South Ossetia, many of whom had taken Russian citizenship, Russia sent troops into the republic and after five days of fighting ousted Georgian troops from the region. At the end of August 2008 Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."