Understanding Russian public opinion: between talks of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, what do Russians think of sanctions?

Have sanctions against Russia really made Putin more popular?

Between talks of a ceasefire, a peace plan and reports of possible heightened sanctions and boycotts (£, €), Vladimir Putin’s popularity on the domestic front has returned to record highs. The president’s ratings have shot up 20 points since January, and after a steady six-year drop are back on 2007-08 levels.

Vladimir Putin’s popularity has returned to record highs since the Ukraine crisis. Photograph: Levada

On the surface, the more sanctions are increased the less Russians seem to become worried.

What do Russians think of isolation due to sanctions?

What do Russians think of the impact of sanctions?

What do Russians think of Russia’s response to sanctions?

Why is this?

First of all context. Russia is a big country, almost double the size of the U.S., and like London isn’t Britain (and Kiev isn’t Ukraine), Moscow isn’t Russia.

Russia isn’t home to the most vibrant media industry in the world.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Freedom of the Press worldwide in 2014. Image: Reporters without Borders. Photograph: Reporters without Borders

And, almost everyone in Russia who is following events in Ukraine is doing so exclusively through television.

How are Russians following events in Ukraine? Photograph: Levada

As a comparison, 30% of American adults use Facebook as a source of news.

Americans use social networks as a significant source of news.

Furthermore, Russians have very decisive opinions on events in Ukraine.

How do Russians explain the west’s reaction to events in Ukraine? Photograph: Levada

Who do Russians blame for events in Ukraine?

How do Russians view events in Crimea?

Russians have very strong opinions on events in Ukraine. Photograph: Levada

Despite all this, there are two recent movements in the polls that are worth following.

Firstly, a growing number of the population feels that sanctions are beginning to impact the broader population.

Increasingly Russians feel sanctions have an impact on the broader population.

Secondly, and more significantly, there are concerns over the potential future impact of sanctions on food prices.

Russians are worried about the impact of sanctions on food prices.

Russians are worried about the potential impact of sanctions on food prices.

Russians feel prices have risen, or will do so in the future.

Russians feel that an increase in food prices may lead to malcontent.

Nothing too concerning (yet) from a Putin point of view, but definitely worth keeping an eye on the price of Apples and Parmesan Cheese.

All the data used in this post can be found within polls released by the Levada Centre during August.