Total of 67% of Russians aware of sabotage attempt in Crimea, 37% suspect Ukrainian authorities - poll
MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - More than two-thirds of Russian citizens (67%) heard about Ukrainian intelligence's acts of sabotage prevented in Crimea, and 32% learned the news from sociologists, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said.
The percentage of awareness was higher amongst senior citizens (83% of people aged 60 or over), and people in Moscow and St. Petersburg (81%), the center said. It polled 1,600 respondents in 130 populated localities in 46 regions on August 13-14.
Most respondents (37%) accused the Ukrainian authorities of the attempted sabotage, while 12% suspected the United States, and 47% were undecided.
As many as 79% of respondents believe that the Russian authorities can protect the Crimean population from terror attacks (11% have doubts and 10% are undecided).
As to what the authorities should do under those circumstances, 33% recommend "more vigilance, control and security of borders" and 50% are unable to give advice.
The Federal Security Service said on August 10 that terror attacks prepared by Ukrainian intelligence had been prevented in Crimea. According to the report, Russian security services supported by other law enforcement authorities prevented a number of incursions of Ukrainian sabotage and terrorist groups in Crimea. A Russian serviceman and a Federal Security Service officer died in those operations.
Nine people were detained in the case of Crimea sabotage conspiracy, and two of them were arrested. Two are residents of the peninsula recently naturalized by Russia. About ten other persons have witness status.
A court in Simferopol ordered the arrest of the suspected saboteurs, Yevhen Panov, a resident of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region who is deemed to be an organizer of the sabotage, and Crimea resident Andrei Zakhtei. Panov pleaded guilty and said that the operation was planned by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Department with the assistance of career officers and agents. He also said that the sabotage was targeting the Crimea ferry line, an oil storage facility and a chemical plant.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the Main Intelligence Department and the National Security and Defense Council refuted reports about Ukrainian saboteurs.