Over 90% of Russians proud of country’s army, poll shows

PATRIOT PARK (Russia) (Sputnik) – The proportion of Russian people who are proud of their country’s army has shown growth for three consecutive years, surpassing the 90-percent mark, the figures of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) said on Wednesday.

According to the figures, which were presented by VTsIOM Director Valery Fedorov at the round-table during the Army-2017 international forum underway in the Moscow Region, 36 percent of respondents believe that the Russian army is the best in the world, while 46 percent say that it is one of the best worldwide.

The same findings revealed that 10 percent believe that the army is “somehow behind” the world’s best armies, while only 2 percent consider its capabilities “very low.”

The pollster’s head added that one in 10 consider the development of the country’s Armed Forces as one of the most important events for the country, while Crimea’s reunification and the 2014 Sochi Olympics are believed to be more significant by 14 and 12 percent of respondents, respectively.

Fedorov did not provide information about the number of people polled or the time frame during which the survey was held.

At the same time, according to VTsIOM’s August 18-19 poll, conducted among 1,200 Russian adults and published Wednesday, 52 percent of respondents consider defense industry employment as prestigious, while 25 percent felt otherwise.

According to the poll, 52 percent of people feel that the incomes of people working in the defense industry are high, while one in four respondents said that the industry workers do not earn much.

Referring to reasons to work in the industry, 47 percent of respondents cited high salaries, 44 percent expressed their desire to contribute to the country’s defense, while 27 percent alluded to their passion for weaponry and military equipment.

Russia is hosting the Army-2017 exhibition between Tuesday and Sunday to showcase hi-tech military innovations and achievements. The event is expected to gather a number of officials and military experts from other countries.