July 9 (UPI) — A recent poll conducted by the Levada Center, a non-governmental research organization in Russia, reveals a declining public opinion of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mercenary boss of the Wagner Group who led a rebellion against the country’s military last month. The poll shows that Russians have begun to view Prigozhin unfavorably, reflecting a significant shift in public sentiment.
The Levada Center, a Moscow-based think tank, is required to register as a foreign agent with the Russian government since 2016 following a previous poll that indicated declining support for Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party among Russians.
A survey conducted shortly after the failed rebellion reported that the Russian public was highly engaged with the events surrounding Prigozhin’s march to Moscow. More than half of the respondents indicated that they closely followed the news, demonstrating a high level of public awareness.
The poll conducted by the Levada Center further revealed that those who sympathized with Prigozhin were primarily influenced by his accomplishments on the battlefield in Ukraine. The perception that the Wagner Group mercenaries were superior to regular troops garnered significant support.
However, public support for Prigozhin showed a significant decline, dropping from 58% in the lead-up to the rebellion to just 22% in early July. This decrease in support was particularly noticeable among elderly women who rely on Russian state media for news consumption.
The poll results also highlighted the influence of Kremlin-backed narratives that portrayed Prigozhin as driven by personal ambitions for wealth and power, with some even believing that he was “bought out” by the U.S. government. These narratives contributed to the negative perception of Prigozhin among the Russian public.
In contrast, the ratings of Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, and Mikhail Mishustin remained unchanged, while public opinion toward Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu experienced a decline. The Levada Center analysis suggests that, in the eyes of the majority, Putin acted as expected by expressing awareness, firmness, and support for the military while condemning the rebels.
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