Panel study of Russian public opinion and attitudes (PROPA). Wave 1. Report

The first wave of the Panel Study of Russian Public Opinion and Attitudes (PROPA), conducted between March 13 and March 21, 2024, offers a comprehensive insight into the political and economic sentiment among Russian citizens. Run via an online survey involving 4,757 participants, the study presents nuanced perspectives on the economic conditions, electoral integrity, and political landscape of Russia. The participants, all Russian residents 18 years old and older, completed the survey in 22 minutes on average, with incentives such as gift certificates. The demographic is slightly skewed towards younger women. Respondents with higher education were over-represented in the sample due to the nature of the online survey method. Responses indicate generally positive perceptions of the state of the economy. Al- though responses suggest a somewhat critical view of personal economic situations in the context of the war, with a significant number of respondents unable to afford expensive goods like cars, they manage day-to-day expenses successfully. This sentiment is crucial, as it underscores the prevailing economic discontent that is strongly correlated with voting strategies. Political support remains strong for President Vladimir Putin, with 71% expressing approval. However, this support does not indicate a unanimous support for the ongoing war in Ukraine, with only 43% of respondents claiming to support the war in response to a direct question. Our findings do not suggest noticeable presence of any preference falsification among the respondents recruited through online marketing panels when it comes questions about the war. The tension reveals a complex interplay of support and dissent, which is particularly pronounced between gender lines. The perceived legitimacy of election presents a dichotomy: while a significant majority consider the electoral processes fair, there is also a noticeable skepticism towards electoral malpractice, suggesting a reluctant acceptance of the status quo by many. Despite the high official records for Putin in the elections, the survey results suggest a disparity, with only 54.8% of the respondents supporting Putin. This difference points to the potential dissatisfaction not reflected in the official figures. Moreover, the acceptance of workplace mobilization and other electoral malpractice suggests a decline in citizens’ standards of free and fair elections. At the same time, respondents express balanced view on media where they get the news. Finally, most of the respondents answering the questions regarding Russia’s future expect their country to be strong and prosperous, while economic prosperity tend to be relatively more demanded than any kind of geopolitical greatness. Pessimists as well tend to focus more on future economic hardships.