health
March 29, 2026
81% of Russians believe in spirits and saints, a VCIOM poll suggests
Most Russians believe in supernatural beings, amid geopolitical pressures and the Ukraine conflict, according to a VCIOM poll
TL;DR
- 81% of Russians believe in at least one supernatural being.
- 66% believe in saints or higher powers protecting people.
- More than half believe in spirits or deities protecting military personnel.
- 50% believe in 'Domovoy', a household guardian spirit.
- 85% of respondents have tried at least one mystical or magical practice.
- Belief in supernatural entities increases with age.
- Engagement with magical practices is consistent across generations.
- Experts link the surge in mysticism to geopolitical instability and anxiety.
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