Most Russians believe in supernatural creatures – poll

[rangerrebew]

Most Russians believe in supernatural creatures – poll
Over 80% of Russians say spirits and saints exist, and 85% have practiced magic rituals, a VCIOM report suggests
Published 28 Mar, 2026 09:34 | Updated 28 Mar, 2026 10:35
Most Russians believe in supernatural creatures – poll
 
Around 81% of Russians believe in the existence of at least one supernatural being, while the overwhelming majority have engaged in some form of mystical practice during their lifetime, the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) reports.

The survey, which encompassed 1,600 adults and was published on Friday, found that two-thirds of respondents (66%) believe in saints or higher powers protecting people in danger or in battle.
More than half (57%) believe in spirits or deities that protect military personnel; 50% say they believe in ‘Domovoy’, a household guardian spirit, and 48% believe in protective spirits for children and animals. Only 22% believe in mermaids and nymphs.

Russians also tend to accept various mystical and magical practices; 85% of respondents say they have tried at least one; 59% have visited sacred healing springs, 52% have consulted horoscopes or astrologers, 37% have tried fortune-telling, 36% have worshiped at sacred sites, and 25% have worn talismans or amulets tied to spirits or natural forces.

https://www.rt.com/russia/636524-most-russians-believe-supernatural/

[rangerrebew]

They also believe you will fall off the end of the earth if you go far enough on the ocean.

[The_Reader_David]

As an Orthodox Christian I'm underwhelmed by a survey that manages to conflate perfectly normal Orthodox Christian beliefs, like the existence of guardian angels and the efficacy of the intercessions of the saints, and practices, like worshiping at sites associated with saints, with "magic".

If Putin wants to be a defender of Orthodox Christianity as he claims, maybe he should end his fratricidal war against Ukraine and spend some money and effort getting rid of belief in nymphs and mermaids, and the consulting of fortune-tellers and horoscopes among his own population.