The Russians did not immediately realize the scale of the risks posed by the crisis

At the end of the February VCIOM conducted another all-Russian poll in the framework of the program ‘Crisis Monitoring’. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 130 sampling points in 46 regions and republics of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.5%. As the director general of VCIOM Valery Fedorov stated, according to the survey, it was found that society continues to experience the pressure of the crisis, the material situation of the population has warsened, the emotional state is characterized by depression.

‘’Society did not immediately realize the scale of the risks posed by the crisis. But now this realization is dawning. Now the real situation is perceived to be worse than it actually is. There is a gap of perception, the public consciousness as a whole properly reflects the effects of the crisis, but does so with a certain inertia and at the same time unnecessary dramatisation, there is an exaggerated assessment of both negative and positive trends,’’ Fedorov said.

According to him, the public consciousness can be regarded as an independent crisis factor, and, in part to overcome the crisis and its possible aggravation: ‘’A human’s behavior has a value, and a human’s consciousness is especially important, because it largely determines the behavior. As such, a person’s consciousness can and should be regarded as an independent object to control in the framework of the anti-crisis program."

So, according to VCIOM, today 45% of respondents positively evaluate their life situation, 19% assess it negatively, 32% hold an intermediate position.

In assessing the economic situation in the country, the proportion of the intermediate is 52%, 37% assess it negatively.

In assessing the financial situation of their family, 21% shared negative responses, 13% were positive, the intermediate assessments dominate with 66% of respondents.

More than a quarter of respondents (29%) expect an improvement of their life situation in a year, a fifth (21%) expect it to worsen, and a third (36%) do not expect major changes.

The assessments of the political situation in the country in the last three months remain at the same level – the proportion of positive and negative assessments are equal (22%), the ‘intermediate’ answer was given by 50%.

In general, the country's development rate is approved by 38%, 21% are dissatisfied with the situation, and 37% somewhat agree with those and others.