Russians’ Views on Nuclear Weapons Shifts
Thirty-nine percent of Russians believe that using nuclear weapons could be justified. This is according to a poll by the Levada Center, a Russian independent polling organization.
The number of people supporting Russia’s potential use of nuclear weapons has grown over time. President Vladimir Putin approved an updated nuclear doctrine and threatened more attacks after launching a new missile on Ukraine in November.
Putin’s talk about a possible nuclear strike led to more Russians thinking it is acceptable or even morally justified, said Alexey Levinson, chief of the sociocultural research department at Levada Center.
Fewer Russians are against using nuclear weapons. In June, 52% were opposed, but by November, this number had dropped to 45%.
Most Russians support President Putin and believe the country is on the right path as it wages a war against Ukraine. The Levada Center has found that many Russians continue to back Putin throughout the conflict.
Levinson mentioned that since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country has made several nuclear threats, but these have not happened yet.
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