Nearly half of all Russians think there will be no alternative to nuclear energy if Russia eventually runs out of crude oil and natural gas, the survey results suggest.

Eighteen percent favor the use of hydropower and 10 percent suggest coal, according to the Levada Center poll, the Daily News Bulletin reported.

The poll was conducted so the results were released near the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Only 5 percent of Russians think that nuclear energy should not be used, while 72 percent think that Russia should continue the production of nuclear energy at the current level or more.