MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Around 88% of Russians trust Defense Ministry Sergey Shoigu, according to a poll conducted by Russia Public Opinion Research Center (WCIOM).

"Approval ratings and level of trust toward Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu are very high — 84% and 88% correspondingly," WCIOM Chairman of the Board Konstantin Abramov told reporters on Thursday.

Around 82% of Russians also trust the army, Abramov added noting that the poll was conducted in the autumn of 2015.

Assessments of Russian army’s military capability are very high as 89% of Russians think that the Armed Forces will be able to protect Russian in case of a real threat from other countries.

"This is happening against the backdrop of existing external threats which our citizens register. Sixty-nine percent of respondents think that the external threat from other countries is obvious, relevant and increasing," Abramov noted.

The demand for a strong army is "indisputable" as 88% of Russians think that this is a priority for the country. "The share is lower among young people but still represents the majority (78%). Almost every other Russian (45%) stands for increasing influence of the army on the society. Only five percent of people hold an opposite opinion," Abramov added.