A recent survey from the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) uncovers a deep divide among Russians regarding capital punishment, with nearly one in two Russians saying that the death penalty ought to be brought back.
Out of 1,600 adults polled, a striking 49% advocate for reinstating the death penalty, which has been on hold under a moratorium since 1996—a policy President Vladimir Putin staunchly opposes. Surprisingly, this issue has surged in significance!
The poll, released on Wednesday, shows that 73% of respondents now deem capital punishment “extremely important” in 2025, a sharp rise from just 28% in 2010. However, opinions split widely: only 15% insist the moratorium should be abolished entirely, while 26% prefer maintaining it as is, and 10% remain on the fence.
Age plays a huge role—older generations, particularly those born between 1948 and 1967, overwhelmingly support bringing it back, whereas younger Russians, born after 2001, push for its complete elimination. Meanwhile, individuals born between 1982 and 2000 tend to back keeping the moratorium in place.
This contentious topic, reignited in recent years among Russian politicians, lawmakers, and public figures, traces back to Russia’s 1996 entry into the Council of Europe. Back then, the country imposed the moratorium, extending it indefinitely in 2009. Even after withdrawing from the Council in 2022, the debate hasn’t cooled, reflecting a nation grappling with its stance on justice.
