MOSCOW. Feb 10 (Interfax) - Most Russian citizens (73%) watch the events happening in Ukraine and almost a half (45%) are certain that protests in Ukraine have been provoked by Western special services, sociologists of the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) said.
According to the poll held in February, 33% respondents are certain that the current political situation formed as a result of influence redistribution between various groups. another 22% of Russians said it was an attempt to carry out an anti-government coup and 19% believe that the events taking place in the neighboring country are a people's revolt.
Twenty six per cent of Russians watch the situation in Ukraine closely, 46% monitor news from time to time, and 27% have no interest at all, the survey showed.
Meanwhile, 22% of Russian citizens are certain that the main goal of protest and rally participants is the resignation of the government, 17% - the seizure of power, and 10% - the aspiration to influence the decision of the authorities regarding EU integration. At the same time, 5% of respondents think that protestors are driven by the desire to change the lives of ordinary people, 3% believe that rally participants are simply trying to express their stance, and other 3% - that they advocate for justice and order, the poll showed.
The possible motives to participate in the protests also include the aspiration to destabilize the situation in Ukraine (6%), to split the country (5%), and to bring disturbance and chaos to the life of Ukrainians (4%), sociologists said.
The rallies in support of European integration began in Kyiv on November 21, 2013 after it emerged that the Ukrainian government had decided to suspend preparations for signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. On January 19 leaders of the opposition factions released their plans of action in order to form people's authorities and yet more clashes between protestors and the law enforcement authorities took place the same day. Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on January 28.
The poll was held on February 1-2 and involved 1,600 respondents in 42 Russian regions, territories and republics of Russia.