State-run polling has shown that less than five percent of surveyed Russians believe Britain’s accusations that Moscow was behind the attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter earlier this month.
Former double agent Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain in critical condition since having been found unconscious March 4 on a bench in the southern English city of Salisbury. The Kremlin has said that London’s accusations “border on banditry” as reports suggest 20 EU member states and the U.S. are considering to expel dozens of Russians over the Skripals’ poisoning.
According to the VTsIOM state-run pollster, only 5 percent of the 82 percent of surveyed Russians who had heard of the Skripals’ poisoning said that London’s accusations were plausible.
Eighty-one percent disagreed with Britain’s theory, saying that it was “ready to use any chance to deepen the crisis in relations with Russia.”
While 74 percent of the respondents said the poisoning adversely affected Russian-British ties, 59 percent said Moscow should pursue negotiations and take part in an international investigation of the poisoning.
Another 81 percent said they believe the mastermind behind the Skripals’ poisoning would not be found.
VTsIOM conducted the phone survey on March 20 and March 21 among 2,000 Russians.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
