Panel Study of Russian Public Opinion and Attitudes (PROPA) Wave 2

The Panel Study of Russian Public Opinion and Attitudes (PROPA) report,based on surveys conducted in Summer 2024, examines the evolving views of Russiancitizens amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, economic challenges, and ongoing politicalrepression. This wave of research, conducted both online and via telephone, gathersinsights from a wide demographic cross-section of Russian society, with 4,470 participants in the online survey (June 28 - July 25, 2024) and 1,603 respondents in thetelephone interviews (June 13 - 24, 2024). The study explores economic perceptions,political attitudes, religious beliefs, and historical memories shaping public opinion.Key findings include:1. Economic Satisfaction and Support for the Regime: A significant portion ofrespondents express satisfaction with their economic situation, which correlates withsupport for the war in Ukraine and President Putin’s leadership. The data suggestthat those with higher economic satisfaction tend to favor strong presidential powerwithout checks and balances.2. Political Attitudes: Public support for the ongoing war in Ukraine remainspolarized, with 42.6% of online respondents supporting the war, while opposition ismore pronounced in the online format than in telephone surveys. The report alsohighlights declining trust in key political institutions, though a substantial portion ofthe population still supports authoritarian governance structures.3. Religious Influence: Religious beliefs, particularly among those with higherreligiosity, play a notable role in shaping political opinions. Religious individuals aremore likely to support conservative political stances, which align with the regime’snarrative.4. Memory of the Past: Historical events, including family experiences with WorldWar II, the war in Afghanistan, and Stalinist repressions, influence public attitudestoward the war in Ukraine. Those with personal or familial ties to these events aremore likely to support current military actions.Overall, the findings reflect a society under strain, with significant pockets of dis-content, especially among younger and less affluent citizens, but with ongoing supportfor the regime among economically secure and religious segments of the population.The research offers a nuanced view of how historical memory, economic well-being, andpolitical repression interact in the wartime Russia.