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Only 10% of Crimeans are discontent with situation after reunificationwith Russia — poll

A share of 15% expressed negative assessments of the situation in the republic while 75% saw positive transformations during the past year
Crimeans watch Vladimir Putin's annual address to the parliament Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
Crimeans watch Vladimir Putin's annual address to the parliament
© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

SIMFEROPOL, December 28. /TASS/. A total of 93% of Crimean residents support the decision to join the Russian Federation made at the referendum on 16 March 2014, according to a poll by Russia Public Opinion Research Center (WCIOM) requested by CrimeaInform agency.

If the plebiscite were held once again, only two percent of those polled would have voted for keeping Crimea part of Ukraine, which is less that the level of statistical error for this research.

"The overwhelming majority of Crimeans (89%) live rather well, according to their own statements. Only 10% of people say they are not content with the situation. Most residents (82%) positively assess the situation in the republic, 15% express negative assessments," WCIOM said.

Three-fourths of those polled (75%) noted that several positive transformations occurred in Crimea over the past year, while around 4% of people hold the opposite view. Another 16% think the situation has not changed.

The poll was conducted in the Republic of Crimea on December 23-26. One thousand people were polled, and the statistical error for this research does not exceed 2.4%

Crimea, where most residents are ethnic Russians, refused to recognize the legitimacy of authorities brought to power amid riots during a coup in Ukraine in February 2014. In mid-March last year, Crimea re-joined Russia following a referendum. More than 82% of the electorate took part in the vote. Over 96% backed splitting from Ukraine and spoke in favor of reuniting with Russia.

Results of the referendum were celebrated by many Crimeans but the vote was widely criticized by Western leaders and at the United Nations. In the Soviet Union, Crimea was part of Russia until 1954, when Communist Party head Nikita Khrushchev transferred the Crimean region, along with Sevastopol, to Ukraine's jurisdiction as a gift.