REUTERS
Only 41% of Russians believe that Russia should support the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" (self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics) in the armed conflict in the east of Ukraine, according to a public opinion poll conducted by Russian NGO Levada Center on September 15-19.
Some 6% of respondents consider that Russia should support Ukraine in the conflict, while 37% believe that Moscow should not back anyone.
At the same time, the share of Russians who fear that hostilities in the east of Ukraine could develop into a war between Moscow and Kyiv remains stable. In September 2017, 42% of respondents were afraid of this scenario against 40% in September 2016.
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Meanwhile, the fear that the armed clashes in eastern Ukraine could develop into a war between Russia and Western countries or into a world war has increased among Russians. Some 29% of respondents were afraid of this scenario in July 2016, whereas the figure grew to 40% in September 2017.