Most residents in DPR trust authorities, cannot imagine future as part of Ukraine – survey

Most residents in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) trust the current authorities and do not want to be part of Ukraine anymore, says a survey carried out by a group of sociologists from Donetsk National University.

The opinion poll published by Donetsk news agency on Saturday says nearly 55.7% trust the authorities (42.1 out of them are convinced the power “does its utmost” and 13.6% are satisfied with its work) while 33.3% believe “it is still early to judge [the authorities’] work.”

When asked what DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko should do for resolving military conflict, the overwhelming majority of the respondents – nearly 70% – replied that “he should seek reconciliation but be tough in sticking up for the DPR demands.” A relatively small percentage of respondents (13.6 and 11.9% respectively) have expressed more extreme opinions – either “to seek reconciliation and compromise” or “to act from the position of strength and to solve the conflict in a military way.”

At the same time, only 19% of the polled see the future for Donbass within Ukraine but as a separate subject in the federation with a high level of political and economic independence while the majority (74.6%). cannot imagine their future as part of Ukraine.

About 94.1 residents of Donetsk People’s Republic agreed fully or partially that combat activities in Donbass are Ukraine’s military aggression against its own citizens. At least 3,217 residents of the DPR cities and towns of Donetsk, Makeyevka, Gorlovka, Snezhnoye and Khartsyzsk have been polled.