About 35% of Russians want Abkhazia and South Ossetia to join Russia

41% of people questioned by Levada Center say that they want Abkhazia to become an independent state, 43% wish the same for South Ossetia, Rosbalt reports.

53% expressed such opinion a year ago. Yet, the number of people wishing Abkhazia and South Ossetia to become part of Russia has increased from 25% to 34% and from 23% to 35% respectively. Only 9% and 8% respectively want them to be part of Georgia.

48% of people say that recognition of the two breakaway republics was neither good , nor bad for Russia. 11% say that it was bad, 28% have a contrary view.

The number of people condemning Georgia dropped. 37% of people in July 2011 had good things to say about Georgia, 43% are positive towards Georgia today. The number of people criticizing Georgia dropped from 50% to 43%