Kathrine Frich
A series of questionnaires circulated at universities across Russia has drawn scrutiny over how the state measures political attitudes among young people.
Screenshots shared online suggest students are being asked not only about careers and well-being, but also about war, loyalty and the president.
The surveys have raised concerns about anonymity and pressure inside higher education.
Viral questions
In late November, a screenshot of a multiple-choice question posed to Russian students went viral on X.
The question asked: “What do you plan to do after graduation?” with options including compulsory military service, enlistment to fight in Ukraine, parental leave or “other,” according to Meduza.
Students from several universities said similar questionnaires had appeared over the past year.
Reports indicated they were distributed at institutions including Moscow State University of Psychology and Education and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.
A student who completed one survey told Meduza that most questions focused on employment plans, but the inclusion of military service drew attention.
War rarely named
There are at least eight known cases of such surveys conducted in seven Russian regions in 2025.
Out of those 7 the war in Ukraine appeared directly in only two of them, Meduza reported.
In January, students in the Belgorod region were asked about fears of invasion.
In February, a survey at Siberian Federal University asked whether respondents would reverse the decision to launch the “special military operation” if given the chance.
Other surveys focused on mental health, extremism or “psychological safety,” sometimes mixing personal questions with references to patriotic organizations.
Judging the president
In mid-November, students in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug received a questionnaire asking about President Vladimir Putin’s performance.
Screenshots published by RFE/RL’s Siberian Service showed the question: “Do you think President Vladimir Putin is doing a good or bad job in his position?”
Possible answers ranged from “Good and improving” to “Bad and no change.” One student told RFE/RL that the survey was not anonymous.
Similar questionnaires also asked about attitudes toward social groups said to provoke “negative emotions,” including feminists and migrants.
Who runs surveys
According to the student outlet Groza, the polling platform behind many questionnaires is Neravnodushny Chelovek (“Concerned Person”).
The project was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Education and Science, Tomsk State University and the state-owned VTsIOM polling center.
The platform describes itself as a feedback tool between universities and government agencies. Media reports say more than 450 universities share data with it.
To participate, students must register through VKontakte. While the platform says results are anonymized, students have expressed doubts.
Monitoring dissent
An educational psychologist told Groza that survey data is used to identify “risk groups” of students who do not align with state ideology.
He said such information can be shared with law enforcement agencies.
Sociologist Stepan Goncharov of the Levada Center told Groza that young people have become “the most sensitive issue” for authorities, as they are seen as more opposition-leaning.
Sources: Meduza, Groza, RFE/RL, Digi24
