Nearly 40% of Russians believe the use of nuclear weapons is “acceptable and morally justified”, according to a poll

According to a poll by the independent Levada Institute, Russians are increasingly in favor of the use of nuclear power in the conflict with Ukraine.

In Russia, the threat of nuclear weapons still looms. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov explained last weekend that resuming nuclear testing in Russia was an option on the table. Moscow has not carried out nuclear tests since 1990, but last year the Kremlin reversed its ratification of the treaty banning them. Officially, it is a question of aligning itself with the position of Washington which has never ratified it and, until then, the Kremlin said that it would only resume the tests if the Americans did so.

In the meantime, the idea is gaining ground in Russian opinion. A recent poll carried out in Russia by an independent institute shows that almost 40% of Russians would find it justified to strike Ukraine with a nuclear bomb. A proportion that has been increasing in recent months.

Even if he is classified as a foreign agent and is not in the odor of sanctity with those in power, the Levada Institute continues to carry out opinion studies in Russia, the latest of which can be described as independent in the country. They reflect a certain radicalization of Russian society. To the question: “Do you think the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine is justified?”they are now 39% to respond “oui”. And 11% think it is completely justified, while 28% think it is somewhat justified.

There are still a little more, 45%, who believe that this is not acceptable, but the pro-nuclear camp is growing, explains Alexey Levinson of the Levada Institute: “The fearful talk about the use of nuclear weapons, which Russian leaders repeat, leads to an increase in the share of those who think it is acceptable and morally justified. Fears that precede the use of nuclear weapons have been eroded under the influence of propaganda, and the idea that there is nothing wrong with this is already approaching 40%. According to this same poll, carried out regularly since the start of the war, support for Russian power is at its highest: at 87%, it is 24 points more than three years ago.