Mass protests against the Ukraine-NATO Military Exercise in Crimea were widely covered by the Russian mass media. Consequently, almost three-quarters of Russians are aware to some degree of the events (52% – «know» and 21% – «have heard something about it»). According to the majority of informed respondents (or 45% of all those surveyed), the media covered the events appropriately. 10% of respondents considered media coverage to be inadequate, while 8% considered coverage excessive.

Two-thirds of respondents (65%) believe that the majority of Ukrainians disapprove of plans for Ukraine-NATO military exercises in Crimea. Only 4% of respondents believe that Ukrainians approve, while 10% believe that Ukrainians are indifferent (the remaining respondents had difficulty expressing an opinion on this issue).

At the same time, 60% of respondents expressed a negative attitude toward the planned military exercises; while 3% were in favor of the exercises and 25% were indifferent (others had difficulty expressing an opinion on this matter). Answering an open-ended question, opponents were likely to argue that the Ukraine-NATO military exercises are a threat to Russia's security («the NATO presence at our borders makes us prick up our ears»; «they may be in Belgrade tomorrow»; «nobody wants a US military presence in such proximity»; «first military exercise, then they occupy us»; «their missiles will be located practically near the Kremlin») – 17%. Many people (9%) expressed their discontent with the exercise itself («this promises nothing good»; «the Americans have no business there). Some people fear that NATO forces will stay in Crimea and even establish permanent bases there (4%). Another 4% blamed the Americans for seeking world domination. Some respondents (4%) think the military exercise in Crimea is directed against Russia, another 4% argued against the exercises being held in a resort area and contended that it could be harmful to the environment. Three percent of respondents noted that Crimea has been Russian territory from time immemorial, etc.

Few respondents expressing a positive attitude toward the Ukraine-NATO military exercises supported their opinions by stating that such exercises would be beneficial to the Ukrainian army («let the new Ukrainian army gain experience»). Some simply stated that «there is nothing unusual in such exercises; Russia holds military exercise with other countries too».

We should note that 38% of Russians approved of the joint Russian-NATO military exercise that took place last summer; while 20% disapproved (42% were unable to express an opinion on this issue). Today 41% of respondents approve of collaboration between Russia and NATO, while 30% disapprove. However, supporters of such collaboration opposed the military exercise in Crimea (among them 6% approved, while 61% disapproved), Among opponents of collaboration between Russia and NATO, the corresponding figures are 1% and 73% respectively.

It seems that today's events in Crimea have affected both attitudes toward Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, as well as their vision of current Russian-Ukrainian relations. Respondents expressing negative feelings about Viktor Yuschenko have noticeably increased since March of 2006– from 44 to 53%, while those expressing a positive opinion about Yuschenko have held steady at 8%. At the same time, the number of those considering current relations between Russia and Ukraine to be bad has noticeably decreased, from 74 to 64%, while the share of respondents considering relations to be good has increased from 9 to 17%. This shift in numbers is largely based on particular mass protests in which participants expressing their sympathy for Russia.

Grigory Kertman