With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Most Russians don’t hate WWII foes of Soviet Union – poll

Most Russians know WWII foes of the former Soviet Union but do not hate them. Yet a half blames the enemies for the deaths of millions of people, Levada Center told Interfax.

The top five WWII allies of the Soviet Union mentioned by respondents in 130 populated localities in 45 regions in late May include the United Kingdom (55%), the United States (51%), France (24%), Poland (15%) and Czechoslovakia (8%). A quarter (24%) failed to answer the question.

As to the foes other than Germany, respondents recalled Japan (45%), Italy (29%), Romania (20%) and Finland (15%). Twenty-eight percent of Russians did not remember any other enemy than Germany. 

Read entire article at Johnson’s Russia List