Two thirds of Russians believe that today Russia has enemies, says the survey by the Levada Center. 

According to the respondents, the main enemies are the U.S., Ukraine and Europe. Overall, 23% of respondents are sure that their country is surrounded by enemies from all sides, RBK reports.

In early December 2017 Levada Center conducted a similar survey. Asked whether Russia has enemies today, 63% of the respondents answered “yes”, 21% denied their presence. 

The Levada Center also asked an open question about whom the respondents consider the enemy of the country (it was possible to give several answers). The main enemies of Russia were the United States (68%), Ukraine (29%) and the European Union (14%). The next are Poland (8%), Germany, NATO and England (6% each), supporters of fundamental Islam and the “Islamic State” (5%). The states of the Middle East and “those who are in power today (officials / government /" friends of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin”, received 4% each.

Sociologist of Levada Center Denis Volkov explained the hostile attitude of Russians with the information background. 

“On TV, they talk about insidious schemes against our country all the time,” he explained. 

In his opinion, such sentiments stimulate an open conflict between Russia and the West, expressed in sanctions and counter-sanctions. 

 “From the very beginning, the conflict was perceived not as Russian-Ukrainian, but as between Russia and the West,” he said.