Dances With Bears » RUSSIAN PUBLIC OPINION SWINGS TO IRAN’S SIDE, AGAINST THE US AND ISRAEL

RUSSIAN PUBLIC OPINION SWINGS TO IRAN’S SIDE, AGAINST THE US AND ISRAEL – THE KREMLIN FOLLOWS

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By John Helmer, Moscow
@bears_with

Russian public opinion is swinging decisively in favour of Iran and hostility towards the US and Israel is growing, according to the latest nationwide opinion poll conducted by the Levada polling group of Moscow between March 18 and 26, 2026.

Sympathy for Iran is expressed by 40% of the nationwide sample; this percentage is accelerating with time and with state television news broadcasts reporting Iran’s fightback, its successful attacks on US bases in the Gulf states, and unprecedented strikes against Israeli targets. During the June War against Iran last year, by contrast, 29% of Russians supported Iran. This shift in public opinion has occurred among those who said they were uncertain or undecided last June.

The longer the war continues, the stronger Russian public support for Iran is likely to become. A parallel swing of Russian support for the Palestinians of Gaza occurred following the Hamas breakout of October 7, 2023, as the Israeli destruction of Gaza over the past three years failed to stop the resistance.

Positive sentiment towards Israel and reluctance to criticize the Israelis, which continues to be demonstrated in public by President Vladimir Putin, has been measured this month at just 2% of the country – one Russian in fifty. During the June War, Levada counted 3%; the difference is statistically insignificant.

No European public, no American opinion poll, and no BRICS member state shows such a low level of support for Israel as this.

The Levada poll also reveals that, notwithstanding their growing sympathy for the Iranian side and against the Americans and Israelis, the majority of Russians wants to stay out of the conflict.

“In the current conflict,” the Levada report, released on March 27, says, “about 40% of Russians sympathize with Iran, while only 2% speak of their sympathies to Israel and the United States. At the same time, half of the respondents (53%) do not express sympathy for any of the parties to the conflict. Compared to last year’s events, the level of support for Iran by respondents has increased modestly. In addition, it is worth noting that, as in other conflicts in the region, a significant number of Russians remained neutral and did not support any of the parties to the conflict.”

The shift in pro-Iranian opinion among Russians is concentrated among men rather than women; those aged 55 and older; the university educated; Muscovites; and those who report relying on television for their news. The pro-Israel Russians are mostly under 25, pro-American, and are oriented to internet news sources.